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    Spark 40 Amp Bluetooth/ToneCloud Issue

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    • jakepatton28
      jakepatton28 last edited by

      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!

      Dan Lawrence 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Dan Lawrence
        Dan Lawrence @jakepatton28 last edited by

        @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.

        jakepatton28 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • jakepatton28
          jakepatton28 @Dan Lawrence last edited by

          @dan-lawrence

          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!

          Dan Lawrence 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Dan Lawrence
            Dan Lawrence @jakepatton28 last edited by Dan Lawrence

            @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.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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