Using Spark PEDAL with Positive Grid Products – Help Center

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Spark PEDAL is designed to run as its own complete signal chain - to a PA, FRFR speaker, audio interface, or paired with Spark CAB for a full amp-and-cab setup. Those are the recommended ways to get the intended tone.

That said, if you already own another Positive Grid product and want to integrate it with Spark PEDAL, it works - you just need to pick the right connection point on each product. This article covers Spark 2, Spark EDGE, Spark LIVE, and REACTOR.

Why the Right Input Matters

The main instrument input on each Spark amp runs the amp's own DSP - modeling, EQ, and effects. Feeding an already-processed Spark PEDAL tone into it stacks two signal chains. It still plays sound, but it usually sounds over-processed and inconsistent.

The inputs below skip the receiving amp's DSP so only Spark PEDAL's tone reaches the speakers.

Spark 2

There are two ways to connect Spark PEDAL to Spark 2.

Option A: Aux In

Spark 2's 1/8" Aux In has a flat (FRFR) response and skips Spark 2's amp modeling. There are two cables that reach it - either works:

Headphone Out → Aux In - connect Spark PEDAL's Headphone Out (1/8") straight to Spark 2's Aux In (1/8") with a single 1/8" cable.
Line Out + adapter → Aux In - use Spark PEDAL's Line Out (1/4") with a 6.3mm-to-3.5mm adapter into Spark 2's Aux In.

Option B: Main Input

Connect Spark PEDAL's L / MONO Line Out to Spark 2's Instrument Input with a 1/4" cable.

Spark 2's Main Input processes the incoming signal through its own DSP, so plugging Spark PEDAL into it stacks two signal chains. It still works, but the Aux In is cleaner because it has no DSP processing. If you do use the Main Input, bypass the amp and effects on Spark 2 (via the Spark app) so only Spark PEDAL's chain is active.

Spark EDGE / Spark LIVE

Use Input CH 3 and Input CH 4. They have no DSP processing, so nothing gets doubled up.

Mono

Connect Spark PEDAL's L / MONO Line Out to CH 3 with a single 1/4" cable.

True Stereo

Connect Spark PEDAL's L / MONO → CH 3 and R → CH 4. Then, in the Spark app, open the Mixer View and tap the stereo / mono label next to INPUT 3/4 to set it to INPUT 3/4 Stereo.

For details on Mixer View, see the Mixer View article for Spark EDGE or Spark LIVE.

Prefer CH 3 / CH 4. Input 1 and Input 2 on Spark EDGE / LIVE process the incoming signal through their own DSP, so plugging Spark PEDAL into them stacks two signal chains. It still works, but CH 3 / CH 4 are cleaner because they have no DSP processing. If you do use Input 1 or 2, bypass the amp and effects on that channel so only Spark PEDAL's chain is active.

REACTOR 50/100

REACTOR 50/100 is a modeling amp with its own amp models, effects, and 1x12" cabinet. There are three ways to connect Spark PEDAL - each gives a different tone-shaping approach.

Option A: Guitar Input

Connect Spark PEDAL's L / MONO Line Out to REACTOR's Guitar Input with a 1/4" cable.

Both Spark PEDAL and REACTOR 50/100 process the signal, so the amp / cab modeling stacks. REACTOR's amp and cab simulation can't be bypassed in the REACTOR app, so this setup always includes REACTOR's own amp tone.

Let REACTOR 50/100 drive - in the Spark app, bypass the amp and cab modules on Spark PEDAL's current preset so PEDAL sends a clean signal in.
Keep both - stacked amp modeling can be part of the sound you want. This is a taste call, not a rule.
Want Spark PEDAL to drive the tone instead? Use Option B.

Option B: Power Amp In

Connect Spark PEDAL's L / MONO Line Out to REACTOR's Power Amp In (rear panel) with a 1/4" cable.

The Power Amp In bypasses REACTOR's internal preamp and effects and uses REACTOR as a clean power amp, so Spark PEDAL's tone is the only signal path. It's designed for sources that already include their own amp/preamp simulation, like Spark PEDAL. This is the closest way to use Spark PEDAL as a traditional preamp pedal into REACTOR. REACTOR's VOLUME knob still controls the output volume, and the Guitar Input stays usable at the same time.

Turn Cab Sim OFF on Spark PEDAL

Because REACTOR's real 1x12" cabinet handles the speaker character, leaving Cab Sim on Spark PEDAL will double-cab the tone. Turn it off:

Switch Spark PEDAL to AMP Mode.
Double tap the Main Knob to toggle Cab Sim off.
Confirm the LED next to the AMP label: peach = Cab Sim OFF, red = Cab Sim ON.

For LED reference images and more detail, see FX Mode and AMP Mode.

Option C: FX Loop

Plug your guitar into REACTOR's Guitar Input. Connect REACTOR's FX Loop Send to Spark PEDAL's Instrument Input, and Spark PEDAL's L / MONO Line Out to REACTOR's FX Loop Return.

REACTOR provides the amp tone here, so Spark PEDAL works as an effects unit inside REACTOR's signal chain. In the Spark app, turn off the Amp block on Spark PEDAL's current preset (this bypasses both its amp model and Cab Sim) so only Spark PEDAL's effects are added.

The FX Loop's on/off state and position are saved per REACTOR preset, and most factory presets ship with it off. In the REACTOR app, enable the Send/Return (FX Loop) block on each preset you use and save it with Assign to REACTOR. The FX Loop can be placed at any position in REACTOR's chain.

Why not the FX Loop Return alone? Plugging Spark PEDAL into the FX Loop Return alone (without the Send and without a guitar in the Guitar Input) isn't a way to skip REACTOR's preamp. The FX Loop Return alone can't bypass the preamp - the loop is only active when a guitar is connected to the Guitar Input. Use the Power Amp In to run Spark PEDAL as a preamp.

For full details on REACTOR's Guitar Input, Power Amp In, FX Loop, and other connectivity options, see Connectivity & Live Setup.

Cab Simulator: When to Turn It Off

Spark PEDAL's Cab Simulator emulates a guitar speaker's tonal character. Whether to leave it on depends on what Spark PEDAL is feeding.

Keep Cab Sim ON

Feeding Spark 2 / Spark EDGE / Spark LIVE (full-range, FRFR-like speakers)
Feeding a PA system, powered FRFR speaker, or audio interface
Recording direct via USB

Turn Cab Sim OFF

Feeding REACTOR 50/100's Power Amp In (Spark PEDAL acts as the preamp; REACTOR's real 1x12" cabinet handles the speaker character)
Feeding a traditional guitar amp (combo or head + cab) - either the Main Input or the FX Loop Return - since the amp's real cabinet handles the speaker character

Turn the Whole Amp Block OFF (amp model + Cab Sim)

Running Spark PEDAL inside REACTOR 50/100's FX Loop - REACTOR supplies the amp tone, so Spark PEDAL should only add effects.

Double-cab tip. When Spark PEDAL feeds a real guitar cabinet or a combo amp's regular input, keep Cab Sim OFF - the physical speaker already colors the sound, and leaving the sim on adds a second cabinet character that usually sounds muffled or over-filtered.

To toggle Cab Sim, double tap the Main Knob in AMP Mode. See FX Mode and AMP Mode for LED reference.

Quick Setup Reference

Target	Input to Use	Cable	Signal Path
Spark 2	Aux In (1/8")	1/8" straight, or 1/4" + 6.3→3.5mm adapter	Spark PEDAL's full chain to Spark 2's speaker
Spark 2	Instrument Input	1/4" from L / MONO	Signal stacks with Spark 2's DSP - bypass Spark 2's amp/effects in Spark app
Spark EDGE / LIVE	CH 3 (mono)	1/4" from L / MONO	Spark PEDAL's full chain to Spark EDGE / LIVE speaker
Spark EDGE / LIVE	CH 3 + CH 4 (stereo)	2 × 1/4" (L/MONO + R), enable INPUT 3/4 Stereo in Mixer View	Spark PEDAL's full chain, stereo, to Spark EDGE / LIVE speakers
REACTOR 50/100	Guitar Input	1/4" from L / MONO	Signal stacks with REACTOR (REACTOR's amp/cab can't be bypassed) - to let REACTOR drive, bypass the amp/cab on Spark PEDAL in the Spark app
	Power Amp In	1/4" from L / MONO	Spark PEDAL as preamp; REACTOR's power amp + real cab handle output - turn Cab Sim off
	FX Loop (Send → PEDAL input, PEDAL L / MONO → Return)	2 × 1/4"; guitar in REACTOR's Guitar Input	Spark PEDAL as an effects unit inside REACTOR's chain - turn off the Amp block on Spark PEDAL
Traditional guitar amp	Main Input	1/4"	Signal stacks with amp's preamp; real cab handles speaker - turn Cab Sim off
Traditional guitar amp	FX Loop Return	1/4"	Spark PEDAL as preamp; amp's power + real cab handle output - turn Cab Sim off
PA / FRFR speaker / audio interface	Line In / DI	1/4" (or XLR via DI box)	Spark PEDAL's full chain to PA / FRFR / interface