Spark 40 Amp Bluetooth/ToneCloud Issue
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Hi all,
I just purchased a Spark 40 amp and absolutely adore it. It's just awesome! However, I've been running into this intermittent issue which has grown more prevalent in the week since purchasing the Spark 40. The long and short is that from time to time, I am unable to download/use ANY tone that's not one of the four hardware presets tones. I can navigate between those four just fine but I am sometimes unable to select any tone that's listed under "All", "Pop", "Rock", etc.
What's strange is that I can modify the amps and effects to my liking on one of those four hardware presets, that's not a problem - but it is PURELY with any ToneCloud/Preset tone that is NOT under Hardware Presets. Sometimes it simply doesn't allow me to use those with my amp. I've tried factory resetting, turning off the amp and bluetooth, forgetting the connection, re-installing the amp, updating firmware.. pretty much everything I could think of but the issue remains. Again it's not 100% of the time but I'd say like 70% of the time, I'm dealing with this and it has marred which is an otherwise awesome experience.
I've already opened a ticket with Positive Grid and sent them a recording of said issue but I was curious as to whether or not anyone else had this issue and if there's a temporary solution?
Thanks!
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@jakepatton28
Information on your specific setup might be helpful. For example, are you running the Spark App in an iOS or Android phone or pad? Are you running any other apps at the same time? Are you running a simple signal chain (guitar straight into your Spark 40), or are you set up for recording using the Aux Out or USB Out on the back into a PC or MacBook? Are you using an iRig, or Spark Controller Pedal, or real pedals, etc).Does this happen primarily when you’re searching and testing Presets within ToneCloud? You may or may not have figured out that when you ‘test’ a ToneCloud Preset by clicking on the left icon, the App temporarily loads the Preset from TownCloud into the Spark Amp, replacing your active Preset (the corresponding LED goes from solid to flashing red) and you can use it; however, you can’t modify it. You have to physically download/save it from ToneCloud to your Spark App Presets using the Download Link on the right. If you try to modify settings without downloading it, it can ‘lock up’ the Spark App. If you press the flashing Saved Preset LED on the Spark Amp, it overwrites the temporary ToneCloud Preset with the one assigned to that Hardware number, and the App should work correctly once again.
At least, that’s the way it works running the Spark App on my iPad. I haven’t used ToneCloud much since I found and modified my four practice Presets shortly after getting my Spark Amp a year or so ago.
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Hi Dan!
Thanks for your response. I'll provide my setup below:
Phone: iPhone 13 Pro Max
iOS Version: 16 (Latest)
I am running my guitar straight to my amp. No other pedals or anything of the sort. Bluetooth is connected only to be able to change Tones and play audio through the amp.
So, nothing fancy - just a basic setup with the Spark 40 Amp.
Additionally, I am not previewing any tones when this issue occurs - though, those will not play either. I am talking strictly about the tones that I have in my own library.
Thanks!
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@jakepatton28
Very strange 🤔…The fact that you can modify and save Presets to the four Saved Hardware locations from your iPhone suggests that the Spark App-to Amp Bluetooth connection is working after the failure.
You indicated that it’s currently an intermittent problem, and getting worse over time. That suggests to me an infant mortality problem with a hardware component.
When the problem occurs, does you iPhone still show that you’re connected to “Spark 40 BLE”, the App-to-Amp connection? This could help identify an intermittent problem with the Amp circuit.
When you select a different Preset in the app and it doesn’t work, does the LED on active Saved Hardware Channel start to flash, or does it stay solid red? This could help identify if something in the App or hardware circuitry is preventing the App download.
Does the Hardware Channel Preset continue to work/play or does the amp go silent (I.e. the new Preset selection has no effect on the Amp function)? This could also help identify if something in the App or hardware circuitry is preventing the App download.
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@dan-lawrence having the same exact problem. i select a non-hardware stored tone, the tone bank light flashes, the tone selected is not loaded and it reverts back to one of the four hardware stored tones.
i can choose through the app any of the 4 hardware tones but that is it.
Very frustrating.
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Recently my spark 40 makes a connection with my android phone (bluetooth) but i can't make a connection with my tones. Presets work but that's it. I have the latest updates and tried everything, factory reset, installed the app again,.... Been trying for days now. System doesn't even recognise my spark 40 anymore.
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@sandro-caby
Disclaimer: I use an iPhone; so I’m not familiar with the Spark Android Bluetooth setup; however, it should be similar…The Spark 40 has two Bluetooth connections to the phone or tablet.
The first is a dedicated command connection between the Spark App to the Spark Amplifier and is listed “Spark 40 BLE” on my iOS devices. It sends Presets and commands from the App to the Amp. This Bluetooth connection is only visible and active when the Spark App is actually, electronically connected to the Amp.
The second, listed as “Spark 40 Audio” on my iOS devices is essentially a standard, external Bluetooth Speaker interface, and is always listed and visible along with other previously paired Bluetooth devices. This is the connection that allows the Spark Amp to play music, backing tracks, video audio, etc. On my iPad, the Spark Amplifier establishes this Bluetooth connection automatically as soon as I turn on the amp, and has zero control or impact on Spark 40 Presets or amplifier controls.
The problem you are describing appears to occur with the dedicated Spark App to Spark Amp Bluetooth connection (my “Spark 40 BLE”). This connection does no occur until you turn on the Spark 40 Amplifier, launch the Spark App, and click on the “Connect” Screen Button. Once you connect, you should see the connection on your Bluetooth Devices List. Do you see the command connection?
You will need to verify that you’ve succeeded or failed in establishing this connection before you can proceed.
You should also be aware that the Spark App must be active/open on the screen to maintain the command link. For example, if you switch to another App to select or control a song or backing track, the command signal drops, even when you leave the Spark App open! I have to use a’Split Screen’ on my iPad if I want to actively switch between both…