Optimistic Grid set the guitar gear group abuzz final week when it teased its upcoming Spark 2 amplifier. Now, the corporate has totally lifted the lid on the extremely anticipated sensible amp, and the followup to the widely-popular Spark.

Headline among the many teaser was touted looper performance, a function generally requested by current Spark customers. When one Instagram person just lately mentioned: “It could be good if it had a looper,” Optimistic Grid responded, maybe not so cryptically: “It could.”

So, the Spark 2’s built-in “inventive looper” – dubbed Groove Looper – comes loaded with tons of of “hyper-realistic” drum tracks, from “primary loops to multi-layered” soundscapes. Aiming to impressed “infinite creativity”, onboard amp controls supply fast, on-the-go looping performance.

However the looper simply scratches the floor by way of options loaded onto the Spark 2. The amp additionally comes with Spark AI, which goals to “revolutionise tone exploration”. Yep, AI is the buzzword of 2024, and guitar amplification isn’t exempt.

As Optimistic Grid explains, Spark 2 customers can describe any desired tone within the accompanying Spark app – “from sensible to outlandish” – and Spark AI suggests tones to audition or obtain, similar to that. And even higher, the extra typically Spark AI is used, the higher it turns into at recommending tones. Yep, we’re now on the level the place your amp can actually perceive you as an individual.

Elsewhere, Spark 2’s AI performance contains Sensible Jam – which listens to the person’s enjoying fashion and generates accompanying bass and drum components – and Auto Chords, which analyses any streamed track and shows guitar chords in actual time, making studying new songs “simpler than ever”.

The Spark 2 additionally integrates a brand new DSP amp modelling engine with double the processing energy of the unique Spark. Moreover, at 50 watts, it’s able to 25 p.c extra quantity than its predecessor, too. The amp additionally options PG’s proprietary Sonic IQ Computational Audio for “extremely detailed and dynamic sound.

Additionally, the amp is loaded with two premium FRFR audio system and reflex ports, providing “vast stereo imaging and broader frequency response”.

Customers are additionally in a position to retailer as much as eight customisable presets immediately on the amp for quick entry to their favorite sounds. There’s controls for EQ, achieve, reverb and extra, too, for perfecting the sound.

Different options embody an elective rechargeable battery for as much as 12 hours of playtime on the go, Bluetooth capabilities, and versatile connectivity choices, together with a headphone out, stereo line outs, and a USB-C port which allows it to operate as an audio interface.

“I’ve used a ton of observe amps whereas touring the world for over 38 years and it was all the time only a technical, bland train,” says guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter and producer Nuno Bettencourt. “Spark 2 is like taking Madison Sq. Backyard wherever you go – epic and versatile.”

The Spark 2 is accessible in each Pearl or Black end choices and can often be priced at $299. Nevertheless, it’ll be out there at a lowered early hen value when pre-orders go stay. Current Spark house owners can even acquired unique improve pricing.

To be taught extra, head to Optimistic Grid.