Spark Mini: Low line-level output from guitar input
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I get a very low signal level out of the headphone/line level output when using the amp and guitar input. Signals from Bluetooth aux input output at a much higher level.
The reason I'd rather use the line level output is so that I can use the app to adjust the sound. As the Mini has no tone controls, this is about the only way to do it and you can't use USB output and Bluetooth at the same time. At least with my Android phone.
You can see the phenomenon in the screen below. That's with a loud, distorted preset in use. It's even lower with a clean sound. This is with the latest firmware update and the connection switched to line level. Set to headphone, it's roughly the same.
Anyone else experienced this?
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@jon-3 I just got the mini Spark today and the headphone output volume is extremely low also....I did update the firmware as well.
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The reason I'd rather use the line level output is so that I can use the app to adjust the sound. As the Mini has no tone controls, this is about the only way to do it and you can't use USB output and Bluetooth at the same time. At least with my Android phone.
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@jon-3 That certainly is a low input level, although I'm surprised the input doesn't have more sensitivity. I've put the line output into several things and always had enough sensitivity to get the signal where I need. Is there no physical gain control for you to use? Maybe an adaptor to take the input into a mic input worst case.
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@jon-3 It's definitely a flaw and hopefully they can replace the amp as I've tried everything suggested to remedy the problem. In the meantime I hooked up a headphone amplifier and was able to record a track coming off the headphone output. Youtube Video
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@jon-3 I'm waiting on a RMA which they'll probably send tomorrow. They said I should receive a replacement in two weeks.
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@tom-aragon still waiting but I'm not surprised.....
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@tom-aragon Mine was for this review
https://www.techhive.com/article/618706/positive-grid-spark-mini-review.html
I didn't pay, so I may never be able to use it for that. But I do need to update the review with what was needed to fix it, so I'll stay in touch. Media relations hasn't been very responsive now that the review is over. I even talked to them at NAMM about it.I was hoping it was a firmware fix. If it's hardware...
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@jon-3 I just now got the RA # and it ships back East. No telling when they will ship me a new one. Very poor Customer service.
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LMK if it fixes the problem. It would be nice if they also fixed the Android app so that you can adjust settings while using USB output as well.
