In this sister channel to the highly successful Studio Rats, James Ivey (AKA Jivey) dives deeper into all things studio, recording and non-guitar stuff. Get ready to enjoy the latest gear news, reviews, recording techniques and all that good healthy music tech stuff. You will still see Paul Drew on here with his music production hat on, but this channel is more about recording and non-guitar stuff. We really hope you enjoy it and come back again and again.
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Ago is as adorable as can be! I could listen to him speak all day -- very nice voice. In 1983 (not 1980) the DX7 was new and we didn't know any better. I loved mine and kept it until I upgraded to a TX802, which actually sounds a little better than the original, and I still have it, but nowadays it's such a hassle to program and load patches into. But as nice as the Arturia synth sounds, it doesn't let you split and layer patches like the TX802 and DX7II -- so for that alone, it still has its uses. I will say this, though -- the original DX7 sounded worlds away better than the Ensoniq Mirage at that time. Talk about noise! Now here's a funny thing I just discovered. A couple of years ago I bought a Roland JX-10 and had the whole thing overhauled and updated with the Vecoven mod, bought a programmer for it, blah, blah, blah. I was very proud of it. Then I got the new Behringer UB-Xa 2 months ago. It made my JX-10 sound like total weak garbage. ARGH! I don't wanna get rid of it, buuuuut.... Finally, I'm fed up with people slagging off the DX piano sounds. I thought they were awesome. Maybe you didn't like the songs, but stop ripping the sounds. It was fine.
Your best video so far. Mainly because you had Valeria and Henning!
Nice to be appreciated for my knowledge I suppose.
Would this be OK for a rock band in your typical pub gig? Guessing you're gonna need 2 stacks though?
I think 2 stacks would sound great. I’m thinking of replacing my QSC rig with 2 of the EVOLVE 50M stacks
Someone may have already pointed this out. I agree with most everything you say in this video. However, I believe it is a little short in that there is a feature you seem un-aware of. The MIDI interfaces on the back allow for 2 Spark Lives to be linked together and controlled with a single Spark App. I have not tried this myself as my studio/practice space is too small and I also have dedicated PA with a Sub for my strike pro kit, and a Spark Cab connected to a Spark 40 with the Ulooper for guitar work "I also bought the Spark 2 on preorder". A single Spark live aligns with everything you point out relative to the use cases mentioned. However, when doing rock or metal music with drums getting beaten like they owe you money, one Spark live is probably not going to keep up as you say, but what about 2 of them?
Very fun
Great post James BUT. take that tuner off the headstock 😂😂🤬it drives me crazy 👍👍👍
Hey James, so great to see you chatting with Ago, and loved that you mentioned the "Ipswich" band! I remember it well and am still playing the same tenor sax! 😀
Ok then Pat. You’re next for the studio treatment.
@@TSR-JiveyTalksTech Sounds perfect, let’s sort it!
Loved the video! Spot on. I think old gear is just nostalgia, yet better is isn't always "better". Imperfections make it more interesting. Reliability in any recording session is what you actually need and you can always "distress" the sound in numerous ways if you want to.
The anecdotal evidence, even with iterations of the same synth - on everything from the Rev 1 Prophet vs Rev 3, to the original Virus vs the C - claims older tech sounds better.
Nice video. In any case if you compare hardware with plugins you need to choose the best plugin available which in the case of DX7 is chipsynth OPS7 and not Arturia. Only the noise is missing 😊
Thanks for the heads up.
Whaaaaaat? How have I never heard of this? I just posted that the Arturia doesn't do layering like the DX7II -- but it looks like that one does! I'm checking this one out. 👍🏽
@@rickrockzyootoob yes OPS-7 can layer 2 sounds. You can also directly load DX7 sounds from sysex files (much easier than in Arturia - you don’t have to import them)
As a 19 yo musician/engineer the DX7 was coolest of cool new synths... When I heard the log drum patch, it was pure love... Too bad those chimey piano patches ruined 80's pop music...
Shame the Mk1 DX7 was also mono.
That opening segment was ear cringe I can't hear anymore
best controller is the mouse .It is genius good .Throw this device away yo
Spark 2 has looper just came out
I enjoyed that…great video. 👍🏻🎹
Glad you enjoyed it
thank you so much I was going to purchase one of these but after your review, I think I will try the new Spark 2 after it gets reviews and bugs worked out I don't think this one for me
Spark 2 just released and it is better sounding than 40 got rid of bass sound and has a looper
it's good to see that PG is consistent with human relations. they have crappy customer service and crappy relations with content creators trying to help them go figure
Sounds beautiful.
Are those the AT2020 on the toms? I was thinking of trying them but I was afraid that they will get a lot of bleed from the rest of the kit. Can you give me some info and opinion there. Thank you!
The Line Audio CM4 is another nice affordable option. They're nice and small. And have a good smooth, but natural sound. Sort of like an affordable Schoeps tonality. Of these, I liked the Vanguard V1 the most. Second favourite was either the JZ BT202. Third the Shure KSM137, while bright, was also satisfying. The Slate ML2 sounded pretty decent, for the money. Not sure I loved the Lewitt air, I think the Line Audio CM4 is a better choice. I sourced mine from Jam, in Sweden. The Warm Audio WA-84 might be another mid-price contender, has a nice tonality too.
Really good
Are there any alternatives??? How does it compare to the JBL EON One Compact for example???
Thanks for the great review. I don't much about products in this area. What is the nearest equivalent product (portable combined PA + guitar amp) that actually would be loud enough for a rock band in a pub gig?
Great honest review! Can the MIDI DIN input take a MIDI out from a keyboard and be used as a keyboard amp?
What was the preset used in the intro of the vid? It had the perfect amount of light saturation that i like in my tone
There's some nice compression on it too!
I assume you could run guitar, bass, vocals and drums all the same time based of marketing
I owned a Spark Live for about 3 weeks. I didn't find it to be enough for my solo guitar/vocals with backing tracks gigs. It didn't provide enough punch as I play a wide variety of genres.
I wonder if you can help me with something here please; I understood from your review that Input 3 and 4 are individually mono, but can be combined as a stereo input. Like you I really can’t hear a difference in the stereo spread when I change the orientation (my Yamaha THR 10 manages a MUCH more impressive stereo spread and that’s a third the size) So I contacted Positive Grid and got a really confusing reply, telling me that if you plug something in to Inputs 3 and 4 they sums it as a mono input. Now this not only contradicts with my understanding from this video but it also contradicts with the Live user manual, and even the labelling on the back of the amp itself. But that info came from PG themselves - so now I’m totally confused!
Thanks, very good Vid !
Well, this channel is my Fiiiiinnnddd of the Weeeeeeeek!!! Also, gonna have to try my V67 on kick out now, thanks for the tip
Great video and nice to be able to compare the 4 stereo miking techniques this way. I was most surprised that the spaced pair sounded (considerably) better to my ears than the XY position. I've often used XY in the past but based on this video will now re-think that. Thanks!
I feel it all depends on the arrangement and the relative positioning of the tracked instrument. I was a bit surprised that the XY was so upfront and “in your face”; maybe it also depends on the distance to the source. Each one has its favorite, but just listening to the guitar alone I have a preference for the NOS technique (beautifully balanced between wide and upfront). Thanks for the video and the useful comparison.
The battery doesn't come with it?
SAF, that’s hilarious.
Why don't you just take the Spark 40 and run it to a pair of powered FR FR speakers? Head Rush, Yamaha, Mackie, JBL, EV, QSC ... they all make them. Yamaha's are the best IMO. And trust me, they're A LOT LOUDER than 150 watts, depending on what model you get. But I know, they're also expensive, especially for the high end ones. Did I mention they're LOUD? I have a pair of 2000 watt Head Rush FR FR powered speakers and the Spark 40 suddenly becomes the FACE RIPPER ASS SHREEDER GUT PUNCHER BALL BUSTER.
go on i will sub you, good video, are you getting the X controler and do a review?
I guess you could solve the input problem by buying a spark go and plugging the headphone out into the stereo line in input 3 and 4. This would give guitar with fx input 1, vox with fx input 2, and spark bass tone in 3/4. You get same spark tone all round and still all mains power free.
Good idea🤟
Where should I put this tone x one. Before my mxr DI Bass or after?
Sounds awful. Not a fan of this spark stuff.
Thanks for your review I think you answered the main question I had about this! As soon as I saw this amp my main and really only interest in using it would be as a standalone Amp/P.A for small to medium SOLO or DUO gigs possibly even busking. You answered quite affirmatively that YES it was perfect for that. I still want to see how it actually sounds with a MIC and Guitar played through it live…hows the tone etc… thanks!
I am a Spark Live „early owner“. I bought it as a practice amp for bass… and: Sound in channel 2 is perfect! Putting my padelboard in Channel 3 is perfect, too. Channel 1 needs some tweaking for a good bass sound - but then OK. I made sessions with gentle drums… Plus acoustic guitar in channel 1, Bass in 2 and keyboard 3. That was very good! It will act as a street PA system! Putting Bass with preamp in „4“ you even can add vocals. I have a decent sounding acoustic amp and electric guitar amp at home now, too. All this with battery to go to my balcony. And yes: we used it live on a garden party. Later in the evening it was a real good Bluetooth speaker and people danced. I have two batteries - but did only use one till now. In the end: This is still the best bass practice amp I ever heard ;-) + my wife accepts size and design in the living room. It is heavier than other systems… but the sound is with wood (not plastic). Ahh… and I can rehearse a whole set of my cover band to a Spotify playlist… Plus I have some drummers to spice up my bass training. I sold a Roland Mini Bass Amp and a Roland Street Cube. … compared to those the sound is much better! …plus the price is OK. There is no perfect system when it comes to mobility, battery power and rehearsal amp. But this one ticks many many many boxes.
Personally i dont mind the amp. I bought one myself and for the money its not THAT terrible. People think its supposed to compete with their tube amps and that's simply not going to happen. Good video though 🤘
BRavo.....sounds great!
not sure why I would even want this. If you have a Spark mini and a PA speaker it’s basically the same?
what about using it with something like an HX stomp? How would it work as an FRFR?
Great review and analysis, James. As one of those original purchasers of the Spark who waited interminably long periods of time to get the amp which then sounded terrible with glitchy software, I sold it and got a Yamaha THR (couldn’t be happier). Pos Grid has terrible customer service and support. Gotta hand it to them, they certainly can get a load of KZreadrs to sing praises of these even though the reviews are full of caveats about issues with the amp. Better off with a good modest priced digital unit and run thru a PA, FRFR or Katana power amp in.
I bought a spark 40 because of all the KZread praises. Found out I can't update the firmware because you need a pc or mac computer. I only have a phone and android tabs. Can't for the life of me figure out how to update the app. It sounds like a steaming pile of freshly dumped shit. They talk about all the Jimi Hendrix pedals and amps but conveniently forget to say you have to pay extra to unlock them. All the overdrive pedals and fuzz boxes sound exactly the same, and it's impossible to dial it down for a cleaner OD or fuzz. The high low cut and damp knobs on the reverbs don't change anything in the slightest bit. The mod section has a chorus, flanger, and phaser, then 5 million tremolo pedals in which the only difference is the pedals skin. IMO it sounds better when I don't use the app at all. At least it has a clean/crunch tone that just barely doesn't make me puke. The only good news is I bought it used at a pawn shop, so I only got ripped for $125. 🤷 How bad does the spark 40 suck? Well, if this gives you an idea, right now I fantasize about owning a Line 6 Spider II Combo. If that gives you an idea.😂
A week ago I would say I agree with you; I’ve had a Spark Mini and a Go and sold them both. Then I got a Spark Live (it was the only solution for my needs - multiple inputs including a mic input and also fx. And battery powered too) I wasn’t expecting much… but I’ve got to say I think it sounds - and more importantly ’feels’ - absolutely great using the guitar input and onboard processing / fx. No-one is more surprised by this than I am! And there are catches - you still have to pay extra for the Hendrix package and the battery. But really, it sounds great. And it even manages a really good ‘edge of break-up’ sound too…
@@iluvdaguitarlol. This all sounds like a “you” problem! I can get great tones out of it. It sounds like you’re expecting it to be some kind of live performance amp. It’s just a little practice amp! The Yamaha may sound better (subjective) but it’s also more than twice the price!
@@officialWWM Yes, I fully expected to be able to play live stadium shows with it.....unmiked. It's definitely a "me" problem. Me thinks it sucks. Of course, I do play high end guitars. Maybe it's designed to be played with shitbox guitars.
@@iluvdaguitar did you ever own a tiny practice amp with a 6 inch speaker? This thing costs less than a lot of those and sounds a hundred times better. However, if you do t like it, it’s not actually mandatory for you to buy one…you can just move along 🙄
My app keeps crashing or somebody remote controls it from the app in their phone.. I have to revert back to the Boss cube street 2 as it is more reliable for solo gigs
Thx! Great overview! One question: how would it work to use loopy pro via iPad or iphone? Would this make sense? Thx
I’d really like to know as well.
That was brilliant. Nail on the head mate
Yeah I really like this amp. Can also pair it with 1 or more FRFR Spark Cab(s) to boost the volume or more usefully have another sound source for coverage. Granted that now means more than one thing you have to lug around, but it's pretty scalable