Spark MKII
-
Photoshop wandering on a Sunday afternoon...
And you ? What would you like to see in future version of the Spark ? -
Overall I really like the features and overall look and feel of the Spark Amp so for me it’s all about improving the quality of the first version.
Hardware improvements:
- On/off button should be more massive and better quality. Maybe a just a more like a classic power switch that you see in most other amps.
- bigger and better quality music volume potentiometer. It is so small now that it is hard to control and mine is already noisy.
- better quality metal headphone jack plug that matches the input jack.
- Internal adapter with a classic power cable. It would improve the portability and overall quality impression
- It would be really nice if the physical knobs turned automatically to match the settings of the app
- Stereo line output
Software improvements:
-
Tap Tempo Blink improvements
I think the tap tempo blinking lamp is distracting because it keeps blinking and looks like an error lamp. I’m only interested in the tap tempo when i dial in the tempo. So either let it blink when you start to tap the lamp and let it blink for a minute and then turn off. another solution could be to turn it on after changing any parameter of the pedals or amplifier and then let it timeout after a minute or so. A last simple option could be that you could choose to turn it off in the iOS app. -
amplifier and pedal adjustments should be saved instantly
When I’m switching between pedals and amplifiers in the app the adjustments are reset to the default “factory settings” which is annoying because finding the right amp for a specific sound requires dialling in and switching between amps. but every time I change the amp (or pedals) the settings are reset. It would be great if the settings was just saved always because I like to fit the sound of the amp to my guitar. Instead you could add a button to set a amp/pedals back to factory settings but I don’t think it would be used much. -
save presets privately in the tone cloud so that settings are synchonized across devices. I use both my iphone and ipad but my private presets are not available across devices.
-
automatic reconnect the app to the amp when starting the app. It is not clear if it is connected and you always have to start connecting through the menu which could be improved
-
I’ve been recording from the USB output. For some how it sounds like the it is slightly out of tune after I’m playing it back. Don’t know why, and don’t know if it is a general issue. a stereo line output would be a great alternative
-
@troels-richter I"m with you on all your points except the internal adapter with classic power cable. A practice amp is supposed to be portable, which the Spark is, but if we have to be tethered to an AC outlet then it's not as portable or useful as it might be. With the PowerAdd 35000mAh battery pack I have I can power my Spark for over 11 hours of playing, nowhere near an AC outlet. If I have to have an AC outlet, that means spending a lot more money for a battery pack that puts out 120VAC, or give up the idea of true portabililty. The Spark is a perfect busking amplifier for playing on the street, in the park, in someone's backyard, while camping, since we can use battery power. Now if PG would include the internal adapter as you're suggesting with a traditional power cable, if the ALSO included a 19v/2.4a power port just like is there now, so that it would be easier to use with AC but would also remain truly portable for those with a battery pack, then great, I'm all for it.
-
@dhbailey said in Spark MKII:
PowerAdd 35000mAh
Good point about using an external battery, I haven't thought of that. Maybe they should just include the battery in the package to make it a true portable amplifier that can be recharged. But the dilemma is probably always to keep the cost down.
-
@troels-richter a lot of modders have already plugged some external batteries to their Spark... it can be done easily.
Like you said, it all comes down to the cost, and i have heard from PG this is the exact reason why they don't propose a footswitch... it would be too expensive to build... -
@sparkamplover I don't consider using a battery with the Spark to be a real "mod" to the amp. I just plug my battery pack in and it works. The people using velcro to attach their battery to the back of the amp are hardly "modders" the way that people who install different jacks or are working with bluetooth to add controllers.
-
I would like:
Effects loop that we can control where it gets inserted in the chain.
A small OLED screen with knob to scroll lists or buttons underneath it to show the preset name. It could be multi function showing the name of the effect when you twist knobs or show the note when you are tuning.More customization on the effects/amp chain would be nice. I would like some functions to go and edit and re/order things like you can in BIAS.
USB-C instead of USB-A. Maybe even throw another USB-C as a power port for the amp if it can supply enough power and add an internal battery.
If some kind of tablet/phone/sheet music stand could be integrated to rest your device on that would be handy.
-
@sparkamplover said in Spark MKII:
@troels-richter a lot of modders have already plugged some external batteries to their Spark... it can be done easily.
Like you said, it all comes down to the cost, and i have heard from PG this is the exact reason why they don't propose a footswitch... it would be too expensive to build...For me that is the one glaring failure with the Spark - the lack of a simple footswitch for the 4 pre-sets. I'm sure that with some software changes a 4 button Bluetooth footswitch would be possible. I love the Spark for what it is , but this is the one thing that prevents me from whole heartedly recommending it. If/when mine dies I will not be replacing it without that capability,
-
Check this out for a footswitch https://www.youtube.com/c/PhillipMcKnight/videos
-
@tam18662000 said in Spark MKII:
Check this out for a footswitch https://www.youtube.com/c/PhillipMcKnight/videos
I’ve just asked Phil if he’s tried using it with the Spark and what success he’s had with it. Would be good if it does work.
-
@robfitton I filed the request with them back in August/September to put four buttons on the bottom of the app screen that you could just tap with your finger which you could customize to either select a preset of turn a pedal on/off. Or even a different screen you select after picking your pre-set and have a full selection of touch buttons. If I am using the app I will usually have it scrolled showing my OD pedal so I can quickly turn it on or off. Normally don't use the app just the volume on the guitar.
-
@kain-harkins Well at $279 that's more than I paid for the amp by $80. Don't know that the app when connected via Bluetooth sends a midi control change or some proprietary single. I don't think the Spark uses midi at all even just internally.
Interesting to see if Phil tries it.
-
@troels-richter said in Spark MKII:
- It would be really nice if the physical knobs turned automatically to match the settings of the app
If you notice, any amp setting change in the app pedal instantly overrides the corresponding knob setting on the amp, and if you change an amp knob it shows up immediately in the app (the app knob actually moves r/t). So either way, you can see the active knob setting in the app. But for the sake of discussion, how much extra would you be willing to pay for motorized knobs on the amp?
- save presets 'privately in the tone cloud so that settings are synchonized across devices. I use both my iphone and ipad but my private presets are not available across devices.
I only have one device for the app so this one really surprised me, I just assumed custom presets were stored on the cloud. You're right, they should be globally available for your account. I guess they're trying to save storage costs.
-
This post is deleted! -
@stinger0625 said in Spark MKII:
@robfitton I filed the request with them back in August/September to put four buttons on the bottom of the app screen that you could just tap with your finger which you could customize to either select a preset of turn a pedal on/off. Or even a different screen you select after picking your pre-set and have a full selection of touch buttons. If I am using the app I will usually have it scrolled showing my OD pedal so I can quickly turn it on or off. Normally don't use the app just the volume on the guitar.
Fwiw, you can quickly turn a pedal on or off just by swiping it up or down in the effects chain.
-
As good as Spark is, and it really is cool, you don't have to use it long to notice room for improvement -- not surprising for a product still in its infancy. For my purposes, I mostly steer clear of notions that would necessitate a higher price tag, especially on the hardware side. Consequently, nearly all of my suggestions are for the software and the majority of those are about usability. These are my thoughts after a couple months use ...
Things that are a priority to me, in order of importance:
- A larger music volume knob! I mean, seriously?
- Ability to record a jam track or backing track as a separate track in a DAW without needing an audio interface between the amp and the computer. I realize this is a hardware thing but it is sorely needed.
- Ability to save more than 20 Liked Songs -- at least 50, 100 even better.
- Ability to import songs and playlists directly from YouTube in the same manner as Spotify, i.e. from the main app menu rather than having to do a search that cannot perform batch imports. I don't understand this omission since the Spotify imports are coming from YouTube anyway (which I don't understand either).
- Ability to access backing tracks stored locally (phone/tablet/computer/cloud).
- Add country category to presets and smart jams.
- Save previously imported playlists.
- Pop-up lists on the pre-fab smart jams to show where in the list the current jam is, and be able to select from the list rather than having to sample each one blindly.
- More accurate chord analysis, especially changing chords on the right beats.
Less urgent but still welcome:
- Ability to view playlists in list form (without thumbnails) to reduce scrolling.
- Ability to sort playlists on my profile page by name, date, etc. Better yet, let me drag and drop the order.
- Looper pedal.
- Spring reverb.
- Ability to toggle off/on categories on the Music page -- e.g., I have limited interest in jazz, bossa nova, funk and reggae, and I will never need tracks for metal or hiphop, so all that is just visual white noise I have to scroll past all the time.
- Turn off the blinking light! Seriously.
- Access/edit my account settings and preferences.
Wishful thinking:
- Ability to experiment with the order of the pedals in the drive train. I mean, it makes a difference on my real pedalboard so ...
- Ability to add/remove basic keyboard and/or rhythm guitar to smart jams. I know that's asking quite a bit, but you gotta admit it would be cool. Might even cut down on the need for third-party backing tracks.
- Finally -- and this is a glaring oversight on PG's part, imo --- add a button to my profile page that instantly makes me as good as Clapton.
So I'm curious if there's any sort of consensus among Spark owners about any of these (or other) ideas. If there is perhaps PG can be persuaded to put them on the front burner.
-
@thermality I think you've nicely summed up what's on my wishlist for the future. I think a lot of what's on the list could be accomplished without the need to design a new amplifier. Going back to the President of PG's remarks of almost a year ago, he said there would be new effects and new capabilities coming to the Spark40, implying that through either updated firmware or upgrades to the app, there would be significant new things available. He didn't say whether or not those upgrades would be paid or free, but in reality none of it has been forthcoming, so he may well have had no idea what would be possible or not. Or he may have simply been trying to take people's minds off of the shipping and production delays which were very aggravating. Only time will tell, and so far time has shown us that none of what had been promised are forthcoming.
-
@dhbailey It's obvious PG has a hit on its hands with the Spark in spite of a rough roll-out but they won't hold market share if they don't continue to refine and innovate pretty aggressively. There's only so much that can be done at a particular price point on the hardware side so it's all about software. Imo the app is what set them apart in the first place and it's their key to continued success. Their innovation has been brilliant and certainly new bells and whistles will get the most attention, but at some point they need to take a beat and work on the usability of what they already have.
-
I would like to have the ability to Toggle the "Drive" effect on and off directly on the amp for the presets. This would allow the amp to be used without always connecting to the app. This could easily be accomplished using the 4 preset buttons that already exist. Just program them to toggle the "Drive" on and off when they are pressed when the amp is already on the preset.
I also would love to see a Bluetooth pedal that could turn each of the effects on and off for a particular preset. Thanks.
-
@thermality said in Spark MKII:
@stinger0625 said in Spark MKII:
@robfitton I filed the request with them back in August/September to put four buttons on the bottom of the app screen that you could just tap with your finger which you could customize to either select a preset of turn a pedal on/off. Or even a different screen you select after picking your pre-set and have a full selection of touch buttons. If I am using the app I will usually have it scrolled showing my OD pedal so I can quickly turn it on or off. Normally don't use the app just the volume on the guitar.
Fwiw, you can quickly turn a pedal on or off just by swiping it up or down in the effects chain.
Not if I have the backing tracks on my screen as I prefer to do. Having the four assignable virtual buttons at the bottom that you could set to display on all screens would be a welcome addition.