Choppy Bluetooth Audio with Spark Control
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Just got my Spark Control and at first everything seemed great. Easy to use. Setup was quick. Then I tried playing a backing track through the Spark app and the audio was extremely choppy. I checked my Bluetooth settings on my iPhone 11 Pro Max and turned off everything except the Spark equipment. No changes. I turned off the Control and the Bluetooth audio went back to normal.
I made sure all of the Spark stuff was up to date, firmware and app. Anyone have any ideas as to how to solve this issue or is it just the way it is. I’m really bummed right now. Seems like so much with this amp is an uphill battle. Thanks. -
So, I have a Spark Control on order (not shipped yet).
I have a few tracks with rythmn and lead tones that I have backing tracks for but am unable to switch smoothly enough between them on the iPhone I use for the Spark app (too fiddly with small buttons). My intention was to use the Spark Control to switch easily between tones. I'm now hearing that blue tooth audio (backing tracks) is not smoothly implemented when the Spark Control is operational.
Is this a limited error that can be fixed or is it a fundamental design flaw between the Spark amp, app and Control?Anyone getting the 3 to play Bluetooth backing tracks smoothly or should I cancel my order before it ships?
Thanks
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@mailbox
I have not had any problem with the Spark Control affecting the Bluetooth Audio. I’ve used it a fair amount with the Spark App running on my iPad (3rd Gen), primarily with backing tracks from both my AnyTune App and (occasionally) Spark App Music.I just tested Bluetooth Audio using the Spark Control with my iPhone 6s without problem. I never use my iPhone to run the Spark App when practicing; however, I test it occasionally to keep my options open.
My only complaint is that the Spark App needs to be the top/active app on the iPad/iPhone for the Spark Controller to work. I practice with AnyTune as the top/active app so I can easily control song selection, loops, pauses, etc. So I tend to ignore my Spark Control except for a couple specific songs where I need contrasting rhythm/lead Presets; then, I put the Spark App on top.
When playing through my playlist end-to-end with no planned stops or breaks, it works great. Start the AnyTune Playlist, put the Spark App on top, and rock out using Control Scenario 1 or 2.
Hope that helps…🎸😎
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Thanks Dan, that's very reassuring.
All I've got to do now is hope the delay on shipping the Control hardware to the UK isn't as delayed as my early bird amp was! (2 months late) 😩 -
So my Control arrived today and out of the box I have choppy audio on all backing tracks, YouTube and jam tracks.
I'm using the "slow bluetooth" workaround to get it running for now but not impressed. -
@mailbox
Sorry to hear your having problems right out of the box. Just out of interest, are you playing backing tracks through Spark App Music, or an external app (Apple Music, Spotify, AnyTune, etc)? -
@jeremy-goff you could try a Bluetooth reset mentioned at the bottom of this page https://help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038831751-Spark-Factory-Reset-Bluetooth-Reset
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Dan
I'm trying it all! I'm using an iPhone to run it all.
I have a backing track in anytune that I start off, stop and rewind. I then go to the Spark app, start to drag up from the bottom of the screen. This lets me access the "play" control for the current Anytune track without leaving the Spark app ( the anytune track plays in the background). I can then jam along.
I have some backing tracks on a YouTube channel I set up so I don't have to worry about tracks being taken down.
I play some jam tracks from the spark app default list.All were choppy until I tried the "slow Bluetooth" trick. Before that I checked the Spark Control firmware was up to date and reset the Bluetooth connection as Peter.moore suggested.
So far, only the "slow Bluetooth" has worked.
I'm a bit concerned as ncnoman (who posted the workaround) says it's now stopped working for him ☹️
When that happens to me I'll start a ticket with PG.
I feel I've been here with the amp already. It feels like we're beta testing a lot of this shit. -
@mailbox
Thanks for sharing your procedure for using AnyTune tracks. I’ll try it when I get a chance.I’d open the PG Ticket now. The lag time for responses seems long, and it gets them your failure data sooner. Your problem moves up the priority list as more users report the same problem.
I gotta’ believe someone is assessing the ticket database.
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@mailbox
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.Still no hum, latency or choppy issues with AnyTune or Spark App Music backing tracks/songs.
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Dan
Thanks for that - good find.
I haven't upgraded to iOS15 yet but this could be the motivation.
Once again the PG users solve the issues! -
@mailbox
Hope it works for you! I always delay loading a new iOS version as well. The first few weeks seem like user “beta testing”, and the more immediate updates that occur, the longer I wait 😎
