Cheapest tablet that runs App
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Hi,
I'm getting my Spark tomorrow and am looking to find the cheapest tablet that will run the app so i can use it solely for the Spark.
Both my phones with Android 9.11 run the app, but i bought a tablet from ebay that Spark says is not compatible with the app. it's a chinese branded product and appears locked to Android 9.
That's going back to the seller and I can use my phone, but it would be good to have a tablet just to keep with the amp and run it.
Thanks in advance. -
I bought this on eBay: Apple iPad Air 1st WiFi + Cellular Unlocked 16GB 32GB 64GB 128GB Gray Silver for $139 shipped. I think this is the earliest model you can get to run the Spark app. I own an earlier model that I have had for a long time and it is no longer supported.
I also bought an iPod just for storing my backing tracks for around $20. Both work great.
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Hi,
I'm running mine via an Amazon fire tablet 10. It works fine. ( Be aware that you will have to upload Google's play store, though it's not difficult, it took me about 5 mins). -
@g99hutton You can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab A for $150. It may not be the absolute cheapest, but it's at least a reputable maker. I'm running the app on an older model Samsung with half the storage as this one.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-latest-model-8-32gb-black/6368084.p?skuId=6368084 -
@kheddy said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@g99hutton You can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab A for $150. It may not be the absolute cheapest, but it's at least a reputable maker. I'm running the app on an older model Samsung with half the storage as this one.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-latest-model-8-32gb-black/6368084.p?skuId=6368084Hey I have a question for you. I bought a tablet strictly for the spark just like OP. I bought an Android tablet (Vankyo Matrix Pad S30) that is running Android 9. It runs the app just fine, but I cannot get it to display in landscape mode as shown in all of the NAMM demo videos. Were you able to use the Samsung tablet in landscape mode and get full functionality out of the app? Even if I download a program to force the orientation to landscape, things are zoomed in along the bottom and I am unable to tweak any pedals/knobs. Any insight here? Seems like the app doesn't work in landscape for android tablet across the board.
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@g99hutton The larger size of a tablet or iPad over a cell phone is really helpful and more fun. I have an iPad mini and love it for online use as well as the Spark app. If your budget is tight a used one should be easy to find. Mine is several years old but I updated the OS.
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@spencerfreeman11 said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
Vankyo Matrix Pad S30
Hi Spencerfreeman11,
About the tablet you bought. How is the touch screen for moving the nobs around? I mean when you change the level, can you change them in single increments? Like 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 and so on? I bought a tablet similar to yours, but I'm having issues when dialing the nobs, it jumps around a lot, like 8.0, 8.3, 8.5 and so on. I don't have this issue on my Samsung GS9plus, it works just fine. -
@spencerfreeman11 That's what everybody is saying -- hopefully in a near future update to the android app they will fix that problem.
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@marksd2167 As accurate as me grabbing a physical knob and turning maybe more so because it gives a readout. You could always get one of those touch screen pointer things but the tip of my finger works just fine. It's an up/down not round and round.
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@g99hutton Suggestion you may be just fine but check with support to see that whatever Samsung Tab A you buy is capable of loading their Android software version. I ran into an issue recently where my DJI Drone software would not load in an inexpensive Samsung Tab A because the operations system of the tablet was not capable of handling the 64bit architecture of the DJI software.
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@stinger0625 said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@marksd2167 As accurate as me grabbing a physical knob and turning maybe more so because it gives a readout. You could always get one of those touch screen pointer things but the tip of my finger works just fine. It's an up/down not round and round.
@stinger0625 What tablet are you running it on?
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@marksd2167 A Lenovo 10" that is no longer available I've had for about two years which I was replacing with a newer Samsung. The Lenovo is now dedicated to just music use, the Spark, Guitar Tapp, my Yamaha Piano, Kindle music books etc.
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@stinger0625 said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@marksd2167 A Lenovo 10" that is no longer available I've had for about two years which I was replacing with a newer Samsung. The Lenovo is now dedicated to just music use, the Spark, Guitar Tapp, my Yamaha Piano, Kindle music books etc.
@stinger0625 I'm curious, do you have the issue of the screen not rotating into landscape mode when using the Spark App? Also, does all the gate, pedals and all fit into the screen? meaning do you have to scroll side to side to get to them? Thanks for your replies.
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@spencerfreeman11 said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@kheddy said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@g99hutton You can get a Samsung Galaxy Tab A for $150. It may not be the absolute cheapest, but it's at least a reputable maker. I'm running the app on an older model Samsung with half the storage as this one.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-a-latest-model-8-32gb-black/6368084.p?skuId=6368084Hey I have a question for you. I bought a tablet strictly for the spark just like OP. I bought an Android tablet (Vankyo Matrix Pad S30) that is running Android 9. It runs the app just fine, but I cannot get it to display in landscape mode as shown in all of the NAMM demo videos. Were you able to use the Samsung tablet in landscape mode and get full functionality out of the app? Even if I download a program to force the orientation to landscape, things are zoomed in along the bottom and I am unable to tweak any pedals/knobs. Any insight here? Seems like the app doesn't work in landscape for android tablet across the board.
@spencerfreeman11 I'm still curious to know how the nob control works for you on the Vankyo Matrix Pad S30. Is it smooth up and down and change the levels with precise control? I have something like yours and it jumps from 4.1, 4.5, 4.9 for example.
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@rexlarsenphoto refurbished iPads are another option.
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I just received my Vankyo Z4 tablet today. Didn't want to post to this until I had it and got it connected. Amazon price was $99 with a $10 off coupon so $89 + tax (under $100 with tax). Connected to my Spark with no issues and automatically transferred my history. I only played with it long enough to ensure it worked so haven't done a full practice session but so far it's pretty slick. It is a cheaper tablet but still has 32GB storage and 2GB RAM which should be more than enough. The S30 mentioned above has 3GB RAM and a better camera but I didn't buy it to take pictures. They both run Android 9.0 PIE. Buttons easily adjust in .1 increments with simple touch and drag up and down motion. Slow movement = slow increments. Checked both the noise gate and reverb. This is a pretty slick little tablet for the money. I got it specifically for use with my Spark so I'm pretty happy with it.
Update: Went through a full practice session and everything was great with the Amp interface. I did discover that the speaker on the tablet is pretty weak. It actually sounds kind of terrible, but I'm using it through the Amp which basically doubles as a Bluetooth speaker so still not a big deal.
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@cmcwillieb said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
I just received my Vankyo Z4 tablet today. Didn't want to post to this until I had it and got it connected. Amazon price was $99 with a $10 off coupon so $89 + tax (under $100 with tax). Connected to my Spark with no issues and automatically transferred my history. I only played with it long enough to ensure it worked so haven't done a full practice session but so far it's pretty slick. It is a cheaper tablet but still has 32GB storage and 2GB RAM which should be more than enough. The S30 mentioned above has 3GB RAM and a better camera but I didn't buy it to take pictures. They both run Android 9.0 PIE. Buttons easily adjust in .1 increments with simple touch and drag up and down motion. Slow movement = slow increments. Checked both the noise gate and reverb. This is a pretty slick little tablet for the money. I got it specifically for use with my Spark so I'm pretty happy with it.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Vankyo Z4, Sound like it went better than mine with the "10 Inch Tablet 5G WiFi -TOSCIDO P20 Android 10.0" which I'm returning.
Can you tell us, will it go into landscape mode with the Spark App? also, does all the gate and other pedal show up all on the screen or do you have to scroll side to side? I'm glad to hear the touch screen works for you on adjusting levels. -
@marksd2167 It does not display landscape. There is another thread that stating that function is not available on Android platforms. The display is the same as on my SAMSUNG S9 only larger. I do have to scroll left/right to see all pedals but at least I can see them. I wanted the larger screen for looping tracks to learn songs and it's great for that. Nice not to have to wear reading glasses during practice. :)
Thread regarding Landscape on Android: https://forum.positivegrid.com/topic/4430/app-in-landscape-on-android
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@cmcwillieb said in Cheapest tablet that runs App:
@marksd2167 It does not display landscape. There is another thread that stating that function is not available on Android platforms. The display is the same as on my SAMSUNG S9 only larger. I do have to scroll left/right to see all pedals but at least I can see them. I wanted the larger screen for looping tracks to learn songs and it's great for that. Nice not to have to wear reading glasses during practice. :)
I hear that about the reading glasses. I'm in the same boat. I have the Samsung S9 plus and it works great on that, but just need a bigger screen like you say.
Thanks for posting your experience. -
@cmcwillieb Great on the tablet buy! Like has been noted it doesn't take some super tablet to run everything you need for the Spark. Older and inexpensive tablets should do just fine.
I have a RCA dual switcher so I can switch between my tablet, when playing the Spark, and my turntable into the one Aux input in my home entertainment system. The problem I had no good place to put the box on the cabinet everything sits on. I finally figured I could just set it on top of the Sparke and just let the wires out the back drape over the controls on the Spark itself because I never use them. Everything is from the tablet/app. Only thing I use the hardware for is to turn it on.
