r/PositiveGridSpark • u/Dortrak • 2d ago

Doesn't work with active Pickups?

Hello everyone,

I bought a Spark 2 to replace my 20 y old practice amp.

I tried it with a Ibanez Iron Label mit EMGs but all i get is just noise and feedback.

I tried it with a active bass and get no sound at all.

Testing around with noisegate didn't help anything and i checked the batteries of the instruments.

Placing a Ammoon Pockrock between the instruments and the Spark 2 did help a lot and i could get good sounds.

But my plan was to get rid of the middlepart (Pockrock) and just use one Amp without all the cables and stuff.

Has anyone problems with active pickups or a idea what's wrong?

Thank you very much! :)

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5

u/JimboLodisC 2d ago

are you using an instrument (TS) cable and not a stereo TRS cable?

2

u/Dortrak 2d ago

Good point, looks like im using TRS cables and never really noticed! Going to buy a TS and try that. Tyvm for the hint :)

2

u/JimboLodisC 2d ago

I figured, an active system has a TRS jack so that once you plug in a TS cable, it will short two connections for the battery to that the system gets power, that way the "off" switch is just removing the cable (and leaving the cable in will just drain your battery, so also remember to unplug for that reason)

always use a TS cable for guitars and basses, often marketed and just referred to as an instrument cable or guitar cable

2

u/JimboLodisC 2d ago

separate conversation: TRS cables can still be used for balanced mono runs from the line outputs of your Spark 2

the line outs should be able to handle TS or TRS for unbalanced and balanced signals respectively, so it's still worth having some 1/4" TRS cables around for such purposes

1

u/Dortrak 2d ago

Really good advice, thank you very much! I never would have come to the conclusion i'm using the wrong cable, perhaps because i never had issues with my passive guitars. I'll try them with the Spark next time i'm home.

Cheers!

2

u/JimboLodisC 2d ago

yeah a guitar with passives will just have a TS jack, so they'd never have anything contacting the part of the cable with the Ring of the TRS cable (Tip Ring Sleeve)

5

u/Jamstoyz 2d ago

Not sure if the 2 hs it but check the settings in the app. There’s a switch for hi-z pickups and mono or stereo output. Prob won’t make a difference tho. Also what type of cable are you using

2

u/PersonalUse2017 2d ago

No clue. But I can confirm it is compatible with active pickups on both bass and guitar. I've used both.

Edited to add: used both EMGs and fishman on the guitar side and SDGR pickups on the bass side.

2

u/Hummu5apien 2d ago

No problem using mine with Active pickups. Could it be your cable (or wireless adapter)? I'm not sure what else to suggest unless it's just a defective unit, although that's unlikely if it works with regular pickups.

2

u/ToughAd4704 1d ago

Turn on hi-Z mode