I just bought one of these and am waiting for it to be delivered and this video is incredibly helpful and pretty much answered all of my questions I had about it. I will definitely look for your gear reviews in the future!
It also has another feature: pressing the button for >1 second and it'll give you a short term boost without having to click on and off for just a short phrase :)
@@boimesa8190 this fact is not clear. If this is the way the mini-boost was when they first hit the stores ... or not. This temporary boost feature is what makes the pedal in my opinion. Somebody is covering something up.
Yeah, good demo. Within the first 1:47 I can judge basically everything I need to know about the Spark pedal. Good, clean boost with no breakup and seemingly pretty transparent. Thanks. That's all I need to know about the Spark.
I bought the mini boost and find that it won't boost my volume when in combination of a dirty amp with an overdrive... such as a tube screamer or ds-1, but works fine boosting any overdrive or distortion pedal in combination with a clean amp channel. Putting the boost before or after the overdrive pedal makes no difference... any ideas?
The dirty amp is already compressing, so if you add more overdrive to it with a pedal, it compresses the signal even more. Adding the spark boost just compresses the signal going to the amp in the same way. If it's used on a clean channel, you're not pushing the pre amp into distortion already, so you get the volume boost. The main thing is, you'll never get a volume boost adding gain to an already gainy amp.
Put it in the loop. It is the power section so it will boost just volume. I don’t have this pedal, I have the mxr micro amp (which is basically the same thing), I run it in the loop.
I prefer the idea of using a volume pedal but the issue I have is space on my board. What I've found is quite useful is getting a pedal which has unity at 12 o'clock, then I back off the volume and leave it on for my 'background parts' and then just turn it off to jump up for a solo.
Hey guys I have a dumb question. Once in a while when I play I have to go direct into PA. If I put this at the front of my board and leave it on all the time is that a good way to boost my signal or is there a better way?
John Boy i use things like this in a high gain metal setting and leave them on for my cleans, its all about how you feel about the sound. It'll sound crisper and more punchy with a boost, it'll sound softer and natural without it.
i have a catalin bread DLS MK III which sounds great but doesnt have enough gain for hard rock, perhaps this tc mini booster is what i need to bring up the gain levels to what i need.
Too bad you didn't have the manual at the time, otherwise you would have found the exact feature I'm buying it for: Prime Time. You can use the switch as a momentary switch, making it ideal to highlight certain phrases or riffs by boosting the volume.
I really don't get clean boost pedals. I see so many people saying they're totally indispensable, but.. why? Yeah, they can drive your amp a bit harder, but unless you've only got a one-channel amp, so what? If I want more gain I just crank the gain on the amp. If I want to switch between clean and dirty, I use the other channel on my amp. I really don't understand. Can someone please explain what the point of them is? Especially when you're spending a fair chunk of change on them.
charly88888888 You answered your own question. It is a nice little pedal if you have a one channel amp. I have a Blues Jr., so if I want to bump a solo or part, a clean boost is great to have. It doesn't mess with your tone, which I like. I have a Super Sonic and have no need for a boost with it because........it's two channel and there you have it.
charly88888888 Clean channels don't have a gain dial usually, when you want a bit of grit and character you hit the boost and there you go. Another good example is I've got a super sonic 22 fender combo. The drive channel with a bit of drive is lovely but could be better, if you put the gain up it just gives more distortion and harsh sounds, with a boost pedal I can keep that subtle drive smoothness but add more edge and breakup without hitting harsh distortion.
Yeah I just ordered one of these to throw after my fuzz and od which is run into my Fender twin. It has 2 channels but Twins don’t have a dirty channel, just reverb.
You need to look into gain staging and how distortion/overdrives compress a signal. It's not just about more gain. For example, rather than having your amps distortion on 8, you can have it on 6 and use a boost/ overdrive pedal before it and get the same amount of distortion with a difference in tone and dynamics. It's something to play with yourself and also varies from amp to amp. Having straight out distortion on 8 slapped over a clean tone doesn't sound as defined or tight as having less distortion on amp with a boost.
that is the way to use these pedals anyway, especially if you have an amp which distorts already. Turn the volume way up and then turn the gain on just a little bit to get a little extra rip.
Useful little pedal - but the full Spark pedal is much better value with Gain (Overdrive), tone controls and different sound colour controls - plus it has the gain too.
quick warning for those who dont know, this pedal needs to be plugged into a power source 24/7 and it does not come with a cable/source to plug it into
and?? Most pedals don't come with power source cables. 24/7?? So it needs to be powered up all of the time or it won't work? Your comment will cause more confusion than help... just sayin' not attempting to argue with you. Bottom line, batteries don't apply. Procure a multi-pedal power source (the visual sound wart is fine) and power all of your pedals off of it. Simple.
Alex G ??? That doesn't even make sense. It simply is a tiny true bypass pedal, without the space for a 9V battery. Nothing weird about that. The entire Mooer/Hotone line does a similar thing.
Actually it depends where and when you put it. An example it's like when he puts it before the Overdrive. When you use it like this the boost increases the input of the guitar, and causes it for pushing the OD gain even further, because the gain level depends of the original input volume
yes but you can't switch between two volumes by foot, can you? (maybe you have two switchable master volumes). And this pedal is very useful to push an overdriven tube amp
No real guitarist would make a statement like this. There's a time and a place for using the volume knob. And you can't BOOST with it, you CUT with it. Plus that effects tone. You either want that or you don't. Again you don't BOOST with a friggin' volume knob. In fact it's impossible to do so, unless you're being ridiculous and playing 95% of the song with the volume knob cut.
By far the best review I've seen for this pedal on the web. Extremely exhaustive, showing all the possibilities this lil pedal has. Thanks!
Thanks for this video! I had to search through 30+ demos and you were the only one to actually show it working before and after a drive pedal.
I just bought one of these and am waiting for it to be delivered and this video is incredibly helpful and pretty much answered all of my questions I had about it. I will definitely look for your gear reviews in the future!
great video, extremely helpful and the demo covered all the sounds it seems. Thank you
It also has another feature: pressing the button for >1 second and it'll give you a short term boost without having to click on and off for just a short phrase :)
Word. I just keep my foot on it for short solo riffs then remove it for back to clean. Great pedal.
Wow really?! Is the same for the bigger version?
@@boimesa8190 Nope..
@@boimesa8190 this fact is not clear. If this is the way the mini-boost was when they first hit the stores ... or not. This temporary boost feature is what makes the pedal in my opinion. Somebody is covering something up.
Yeah, good demo. Within the first 1:47 I can judge basically everything I need to know about the Spark pedal. Good, clean boost with no breakup and seemingly pretty transparent. Thanks. That's all I need to know about the Spark.
Great video / explanation. Also works great in the loop as a volume boost (at the very end of the loop)!
Refreshing demo style. Brilliant stuff!!
I put one on my board this week....you won't regret this small investment, it really works well clean and post gain
hey man nice video im using the boss me50 pedal board through the pa system would the spark work with the me50 just for volume thanks
Can we put it in the fx loop to compensate the volume drop ?
You can press and hold it down.......it will go off when you let your foot off.....like a fill boost!
If you use a marshall plexi amp, will this pedal remove the plexi tone?
The AMP sounds good pushed with the humbucker setting not the other, nice work overall thanks +1. I dig the drive boost nice!
Love the tone at 7:42! Is that the sovereign distortion?
What's that pedal coupler you're using?
I am literally going to get this pedal to annoy the sound man
Is it worth buying this if you already have an amazing compressor like Forcefield ?
i bought one, to me it sounds amazing!
I bought the mini boost and find that it won't boost my volume when in combination of a dirty amp with an overdrive... such as a tube screamer or ds-1, but works fine boosting any overdrive or distortion pedal in combination with a clean amp channel. Putting the boost before or after the overdrive pedal makes no difference... any ideas?
The dirty amp is already compressing, so if you add more overdrive to it with a pedal, it compresses the signal even more. Adding the spark boost just compresses the signal going to the amp in the same way. If it's used on a clean channel, you're not pushing the pre amp into distortion already, so you get the volume boost. The main thing is, you'll never get a volume boost adding gain to an already gainy amp.
Put it in the loop. It is the power section so it will boost just volume.
I don’t have this pedal, I have the mxr micro amp (which is basically the same thing), I run it in the loop.
Hey there. Can this boost the output of my Minilogue synth or is the Line of a Guitar not the same thing?
You could do it. Be very carful with the volume because it could get loud enough to damage a speaker. Keyboard is pushing out more energy then guitar.
What pedalboard are you using?
I am really looking for just a clean boost without fuss distortion etc.
I prefer the idea of using a volume pedal but the issue I have is space on my board. What I've found is quite useful is getting a pedal which has unity at 12 o'clock, then I back off the volume and leave it on for my 'background parts' and then just turn it off to jump up for a solo.
Oh that little spark pedal is nice.
You are correct sir, it's the Diago Showman (my front man put his foot down when I accidental mentioned the size of the Tourman...)
Hey guys I have a dumb question. Once in a while when I play I have to go direct into PA. If I put this at the front of my board and leave it on all the time is that a good way to boost my signal or is there a better way?
John Boy i use things like this in a high gain metal setting and leave them on for my cleans, its all about how you feel about the sound. It'll sound crisper and more punchy with a boost, it'll sound softer and natural without it.
Apologies for a noob question, but can this be use on bass guitar or is it only for electric guitar?
sure, you can use it.
i have a catalin bread DLS MK III which sounds great but doesnt have enough gain for hard rock, perhaps this tc mini booster is what i need to bring up the gain levels to what i need.
the DLS has plenty of gain for hard rock. metal not so much. i use an overdrive as a clean boost in that situation.
Too bad you didn't have the manual at the time, otherwise you would have found the exact feature I'm buying it for: Prime Time. You can use the switch as a momentary switch, making it ideal to highlight certain phrases or riffs by boosting the volume.
Why do you turn it down before switching it on? Nobody does that during a gig.
We want to hear the difference as it would be used at a gig.
+iconoclast-o- matic "we"
He said in the beginning, "I don't want to blow the Mic"
Why not just make 10 the top number and make that a little louder?
gazfunk- well this one goes to 11
It's just not the same 🤷 lol
I really don't get clean boost pedals. I see so many people saying they're totally indispensable, but.. why? Yeah, they can drive your amp a bit harder, but unless you've only got a one-channel amp, so what?
If I want more gain I just crank the gain on the amp. If I want to switch between clean and dirty, I use the other channel on my amp.
I really don't understand. Can someone please explain what the point of them is? Especially when you're spending a fair chunk of change on them.
charly88888888 You answered your own question. It is a nice little pedal if you have a one channel amp. I have a Blues Jr., so if I want to bump a solo or part, a clean boost is great to have. It doesn't mess with your tone, which I like. I have a Super Sonic and have no need for a boost with it because........it's two channel and there you have it.
charly88888888 Clean channels don't have a gain dial usually, when you want a bit of grit and character you hit the boost and there you go. Another good example is I've got a super sonic 22 fender combo. The drive channel with a bit of drive is lovely but could be better, if you put the gain up it just gives more distortion and harsh sounds, with a boost pedal I can keep that subtle drive smoothness but add more edge and breakup without hitting harsh distortion.
Yeah I just ordered one of these to throw after my fuzz and od which is run into my Fender twin. It has 2 channels but Twins don’t have a dirty channel, just reverb.
You need to look into gain staging and how distortion/overdrives compress a signal. It's not just about more gain. For example, rather than having your amps distortion on 8, you can have it on 6 and use a boost/ overdrive pedal before it and get the same amount of distortion with a difference in tone and dynamics. It's something to play with yourself and also varies from amp to amp. Having straight out distortion on 8 slapped over a clean tone doesn't sound as defined or tight as having less distortion on amp with a boost.
Tone sucking pedals are no match for a boost.
By far the best looking gear reviewer on the platform 😂
Great video! I have a bunch of od pedals which I am not using. Perhaps I can use them in the same fashion as a clean boost. I'll make a video shortly!
that is the way to use these pedals anyway, especially if you have an amp which distorts already. Turn the volume way up and then turn the gain on just a little bit to get a little extra rip.
In love with the theme from 1:25! What's that? Smells like Darkwing Duck.
Stray Cat Strut
Thanks
Useful little pedal - but the full Spark pedal is much better value with Gain (Overdrive), tone controls and different sound colour controls - plus it has the gain too.
I rather pay a bit more and get the TC Spark Booster for the many extra features.
Your deep voice sounds like Thor 😂
Looks like a Diago pedalboard from the slight few shots of it =]
You're playing like a russian xD am - dm - e
Most popular style of playin in my country))
лол, "застрахуй братуху" напомнило
I guess I am playing a Mesa mk V, so lack of gain isn't exactly an issue.
Hi, I'm Rob Necks... eh I mean Hicks:-7
quick warning for those who dont know, this pedal needs to be plugged into a power source 24/7 and it does not come with a cable/source to plug it into
He means 9V adapter/wall wart only, instead of battery driven.
and?? Most pedals don't come with power source cables. 24/7?? So it needs to be powered up all of the time or it won't work? Your comment will cause more confusion than help... just sayin' not attempting to argue with you. Bottom line, batteries don't apply. Procure a multi-pedal power source (the visual sound wart is fine) and power all of your pedals off of it. Simple.
*****
my point was, most pedals can simply be plugged into an amp, but not this one
Alex G ???
That doesn't even make sense.
It simply is a tiny true bypass pedal, without the space for a 9V battery. Nothing weird about that.
The entire Mooer/Hotone line does a similar thing.
Some knickers in a twist over the guys comment!
Wouldn't it be the same to use a compressor to boost the signal?
cesar d leon it basically is a compressor
My pleasure dude! Thanks for watching!
because these go to 11 ;)
Reviewing this pedal with a solid state amp is a torture for those who made this pedal. This is for tube amps. You got far more possibilities.
That is a tube amp. It's the Orange Rocker 30 combo.
its just making it louder? can't you just turn up the amp?
Actually it depends where and when you put it. An example it's like when he puts it before the Overdrive. When you use it like this the boost increases the input of the guitar, and causes it for pushing the OD gain even further, because the gain level depends of the original input volume
I want to hear 20db.. Clip that mic..
These go to eleven...
ac booster is better it has a warm tone
My amp came with a volume knob - pretty much the same thing...
yes but you can't switch between two volumes by foot, can you? (maybe you have two switchable master volumes). And this pedal is very useful to push an overdriven tube amp
Use your guitars volume knob
even with a so called treble bleed it effects the tone when you use the volume unless thats what you want.
No real guitarist would make a statement like this. There's a time and a place for using the volume knob. And you can't BOOST with it, you CUT with it. Plus that effects tone. You either want that or you don't. Again you don't BOOST with a friggin' volume knob. In fact it's impossible to do so, unless you're being ridiculous and playing 95% of the song with the volume knob cut.
^ thank you Chris, it should be a requirement to know basic gain staging before someone buys pedals and amps.
not impressed.