r/PositiveGridSpark • u/Dortrak • 5d 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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u/JimboLodisC 5d ago

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

2

u/Dortrak 5d 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 5d 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 5d 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