Positive grid

POSITIVE GRID’S LINE of Spark smart amps has looked like a process of miniaturization over its five years of evolution. The original Spark 40-watt desktop amp led to the portable Spark Mini combo, which led to the pocket-sized Spark GO. In any form, Spark has given guitarists a huge range of virtual amps, cabinets and effects along with Smart Jam Live virtual jam partners, Auto Chords to instantly learn any song, Bluetoothstreamed music and more.

For the new Spark Live smart amp and PA system, Positive Grid has gone the opposite direction, creating a combo you can actually gig with. But to think of Spark Live as just a big version of its siblings would be a mistake. It’s a four-channel Swiss Army knife for electric and acoustic guitars, bass, vocals, stereo keyboards, drum machines and more. And with an optional rechargeable-battery pack onboard, Live can go wherever you perform, from parks to street corners to campsites. Packing 150 watts of digital power, as well as what Positive Grid refers to as a Sonic IQ computational audio engine that brings a host of sound enhancements, Live delivers a sonic punch and sounds good doing it.

Weighing in at just under 27 pounds, Live is dressed in matte black vinyl with corner protectors and the black-brown basketweave grille cloth seen on previous Spark amps. A recessed strap handle pulls out for carrying the amp, and a receptacle on the opposite side allows Live to be mounted on a stand if you choose. Live can be oriented on the floor vertically or horizontally, and with either scenario, a kickstand on the rear can be unlocked from its compartment to lean the amp back for better projection and sound. A G-sensor within the cabinet automatically detects Live’s orientation, causing the Auto-EQ (one of those new Sonic IQ enhancements) to deliver a more focused mono signal when the amp is vertical and wider stereo separation when horizontal.

Positive Grid has laid out Live’s channels and controls in a clear fashion. Channel one, the guitar and bass channel, is situated handily on the amp’s front, along with the power switch and the LED indicators for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection status. From the left, channel one includes a ¼-inch guitar input, a programmable selector for quick selection of eight presets, and controls for gain, bass, mid, treble and volume (labeled “Guitar”). The last knob controls the volume of any music streamed into Live.

It’s a well-chosen complem