New Spark Control Pedal a Disappointment
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I have a pretty simple practice routine. I plug my guitar into the Spark 40, turn on the Amp, link to the Spark App on my iPad, open the AnyTune App on my iPad to play or loop my backing tracks, and start playing with AnyTune open as the top/active App.
All of the Presets I need are loaded onto the Spark Amp Hardware Switches. I can usually, manually switch from one Preset to another between songs when necessary; however manually switching between Rhythm and Lead Presets is beyond me. Hence my excitement concerning the new Spark Control Switch.
Unfortunately, the new switch apparently only works when the Spark App is the top/active app. As soon as I switch to AnyTune, it immediately disconnects, and automatically re-connects ONLY when I bring the Spark App back to the top.
I would never have suspected that the Spark Controller would be incapable of maintaining its Bluetooth link to the Spark Amp when the App is open, but relegated to the background!
There is virtually no documentation describing how the new controller works or interfaces, and the only ‘Help’ information is limited to FAQ topics related to initial App linkage. I have no way of determining whether this is a Spark App or iPad setup issue, or a design flaw.
I have experience with dozens of Bluetooth devices that link to, and interface my iPad. NONE require the associated app remain as the top/active app, and they continue to operate effectively and completely when open, but relegated to the background.
After all that waiting, what a disappointment…
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@dan-lawrence I don't know if this will help, but the AirStep pedals and Anytune are both known to work with the AudioBus mixer/sequential router app. From 5 other forum inquiries, I get the impression that other Positive Grid modeler app products don't work with AudioBus; and from the "0" response, I get the impression that Positive Grid doesn't intend to care. That may be the same with the Spark amp, but I don't know. The AudioBus app has reinvented itself since I last used it as Audiobus2, and is now a $10 app. If you, or anyone out there has the new version, I've love to know if it'll work, or maybe even open new opportunities with the Spark Control.
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@cgil155
Thanks for the information. I haven’t tried the AudioBus App, and I’m unfamiliar with what it does or how it works.I’m currently using my pre Spark Controller routine, and only using the controller with a few songs where Rhythm vs Lead Setups are necessary. Nice thing about AnyTune was I could quickly reorganize playlists to (mostly) workaround the Spark App limitation
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@dan-lawrence
Quick update:
I just updated both my iPhone and iPad to iOS 15.2.1, and discovered (thanks to iTips) how easy it is to set up two apps on ‘split screen’. With both the Spark App and the AnyTune App on split screen, the Spark Controller holds its Bluetooth pairing while providing full access to AnyTune controls. I can now use Spark Control in either Scenario 1 or 2 mode with full backing track/song control, my minimum expectation of the device. -
Split screen on ipad allows spark control along with other apps , I use Forescore