Amp Cross Reference
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It would be nice to have a list of the chains (Amp and the effects assigned to each amp). Currently, I don't see anyway to easily or quickly find a particular chain. Yes, there is a list of the amp models available. But there is no easy way to call up a given amp.
For instance, I want to try out the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier amp. How do I find that amp? Are there more then one chain used with this amp?
Conversely, what I I want to use a chain that has a particular effect in it? Short of looking in each chain in Tonecloud until I find it, is there a way to streamline the search?
I understand the chains are set by Positive Grid. And I am quite happy with the chains available and the quality of the chains. I would like to be able to more easily identify the amp chains and the associated effects without having to open each chain in ToneCloud.
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@peterson396 The sequence of the effect types is fixed -- you can't put a reverb at the start of the chain and the overdrive effect at the end. But other than that you can use any of the given effects in its slot with any of the amp models. I'm not sure what you're asking about because the model of the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier Amp is just the amp head. You can select any effects in their proper place in the chain if you wish, or use none of them. The real-world Mesa Boogie doesn't come with any effects chained before or after it. There is only one chain, but except for the Noise Gate there are different effects to choose from within each space in the chain. Experiment and find sounds you like!
Regarding searching the tone cloud for the particular tones which use a specific amp model or specific effects, there is no way to search for that. But if you can think of an artist who uses that amp head predominantly, like Santana with the Mesa Boogie, you will likely find lots of tones to choose from. But beware that some "Santana" type tones have Carlos in the name and others have Santana in the name, so you have to be creative in what you search for.
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@dhbailey I understand the effects chain and sequence of the effects is 'fixed'.
The question is two fold.
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How do I call up a Mesa Boogie amp? Or any amp model for that matter? Guessing by searching through ToneCloud is not the same as instantly being able to call up a particular amp model.
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How do I call up a chain that has an Echoplex effect? Say I want to an Echoplex effect, how would I go about finding what chain(s) contain this effect?
Don't get me wrong. I am not complaining. I think the Spark is a brilliant idea and well executed. I'm merely asking for guidance on a matter that on other platforms is a rudimentary feature.
A list of amps and effects is provided. But no such list exists of Amp and Effects, so one is left having to open a chain in ToneCloud to see what effects are associated with particular amp.
Also, is there only one instance of each amp? So for example, is there just one Mesa Boogie chain? Is there just one chain for each amp?
I hope this is clearer now. Apologies if I have only confused the matter more.
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Double tap the amp head in the app, a list of options appears, tap on Treadplate (which is the MB Triple Rec) then tap on the down arrow at the side to return to the chain screen.
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@k-mcg said in Amp Cross Reference:
Double tap the amp head in the app, a list of options appears, tap on Treadplate (which is the MB Triple Rec) then tap on the down arrow at the side to return to the chain screen.
yes this is correct but, if i don't get it wrong (and @peterson396 correct me if i'm wrong), he asks if it's possible to do a specific search in the cloud for amp or effect...
and the answer in this case is - no.
you can only search for a specific but complete tone or preset. -
I've read this thread three times and I still don't know what you're trying to find or do. Mainly I'm confused by what you mean by "chain". There are signal chains, amp chains, pedal chains and so on. But I'll try to help with couple things ...
Here is a list of amps and pedals that Spark engineers have emulated:
https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038772571-Spark-Amp-Effect-List
Spark's finite set of software amps have been developed to closely emulate specific amp heads and combo amps (no cab options). As you can see in the list, there are a couple of Mesa amps listed, including the Triple Rectifier. You cannot find or add any other amp models other than what they have provided.
The app does not associate any particular pedals with any particular amps on its own but you can choose one of their amp models and add any of their pedals to the chain as you wish. You can't add additional or particular pedals to their finite set.
If you're chasing a particular tone and can't arrive at it on your own go to the ToneCloud and start searching, but one thing needs to be clarified -- the ToneCloud thinks "presets", which is what I guess you mean by "chain". The ToneCloud consists of a prefab tone/preset library uploaded by Sparkers, some better than others, obviously. As dhbailey said, you can search with any keyword you want -- artist name, guitar name, amp name, song name, etc. Your search might be successful, it might not, depending on what you're after. If you're interested in the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, for example, I might start with a Santana search, since Carlos uses the Mesa quite a bit.
The thing is, when you're sampling presets on the ToneCloud there's no direct, immediate way to view the amp/pedal models and settings that person used to create the preset, but there is a way to find out and this leads to a tip that took me awhile to figure out. Here's the process:
- When you find a sound you like on the ToneCloud, tap its download button, which will prompt you to provide a name (you can use the default name or rename it) and a category.
- Next, return to the amp/pedal screen (which I think of as Home) and tap the preset button at the top of the screen (see page 9 of the user manual).
- Navigate to the category you chose for the download and select the name of your download.
- Return to the home screen and voila, there you will see the amp, pedals and settings the author used to create the preset. You can use it as is or tweak it and resave it to your heart's content.
Hope this helps.
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@samueleonline said in Amp Cross Reference:
@k-mcg said in Amp Cross Reference:
Double tap the amp head in the app, a list of options appears, tap on Treadplate (which is the MB Triple Rec) then tap on the down arrow at the side to return to the chain screen.
yes this is correct but, if i don't get it wrong (and @peterson396 correct me if i'm wrong), he asks if it's possible to do a specific search in the cloud for amp or effect...
and the answer in this case is - no.
you can only search for a specific but complete tone or preset.To be honest, I've no idea what he's asking for, seems I'm not alone. the answer, inevitably, will be '42'. Eventually.
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Let's keep this simple.
I want to use the JTM45 amp model.
How do I find this amp without the tedious task of going into ToneCloud and scrolling through the 10,000+ chains? Certainly I won't have to scroll through a whole lot, but I will have to scroll through the list until I find a JTM45 amp icon (which for my eyes is yet another adventure).
There should be an easier way to call up one of the 30 amp chains other than scrolling through the ToneCloud lists.
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@peterson396 Pretty simple, dude ...
- In the list I linked you to, note that JM45 is Spark's name for the JTM45.
- On the app's amp/pedal (Home) screen, double-tap the amp icon, which will bring up a list of all the amps to choose from.
- Scroll down and double-tap the JM45.
- Play your guitar.
- Tap the JM45 icon in the signal chain once to turn the knobs.
- Play your guitar some more.
Also, when all else fails, read the manual ...
https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038311791-Spark-User-Manual
Also, there about a million videos on Youtube on how to do this basic stuff.
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@peterson396 I will try to not be rude, or condescending. If it comes across that way, I apologize ahead of time. THere is no way of knowing your experience with modelling. Plus, I think you are misusing some terms, which is impacting communication.
Chain/preset - The Spark, works in presets. What you are calling a 'chain' appears to be what is called a preset.
A preset is nothing more than a set of pedals and effects, settings of same, on or off status, and an Amp/Cab model, with it's initial settings.
There are 3 PLACES to SELECT a preset.
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Hardware - There are 4 presets loaded into the hardware. These are selected by 4 buttons upper right of unit. These can also be selected in the Spark App (see number 2), They can be changed and stored.
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The Spark App - This is what I think you are mistakenly calling the Tonecloud. This is what you see when you first start up the app. It will show, at connection to Spark Amp, whatever it is set to. The physical amp, at startup will be the last preset of the 4, it was set to. These presets, are ones that come with the App. If you select one, it will be loaded into the physical app and used. Unless you store it to one of the hardware spots, you will have to select it again, if you want it, when you restart. These are the limited groups under the tabs in the App, Rock, Blues, etc.
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The Tonecloud - THis is selected by the little cloud icon IN the app. These are presets loaded out in a cloud, external to your Spark App running device, and your Spark Amp. Above, there is a post how to move that from cloud, to your spark app and spark app device.
I went through the above because the presets are listed differently in App, and Tonecloud.
In the App (see #2) there is no search facility. As you point out, there is an icon of the amp. No way to search what pedals are in them either. You could rename them, and put an abbrev in name (18 char max). But, simply selecting them, you can SEE what they are.
The Tonecloud, does have a search feature. But, it searches the preset name. So, it is only good as the person that uploaded the preset and what they called it. Some put amp name in, some not.
Now, as to:
"I want to use the JTM45 amp model.
How do I find this amp without the tedious task of going into ToneCloud and scrolling through the 10,000+ chains?"
Some of the frustration you are feeling with the answers is, those answering don't understand what appears to be your fixation on only using a preset in the tonecloud to get a JTM45 amp model.
Because, it is really easy to change the amp model on ANY preset you currently have active in the Spark App (and Spark Amp). Just double click the amp icon in the app, and change it (as shown above).
OR switch the amp type knob on far left of Spark to Crunch (or to something else and back to Crunch, if on it). That changes the amp model to a JM45, aka JTM45 on whatever preset is currently active.
Here is my personal advice. Create your own presets from the ground up. Basically, in app take any preset, change what you want, amp model, drive pedal, etc and save it under your own name. Load your favorite 4 into the hardware spots. Then Enjoy.
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