How To Set-Up the Positive Grid Spark Control Wireless Footswitch for Hardware and Stompbox Effects

[@screight2]

great presentation

[@StevenParente]

Thank you Sean. I really like your channel and playing. I subscribed. Your original "One Winged Angel" sounds great! Thanks for watching. Are you using the Spark for some of your videos?

[@screight2]

@ thanks a bunch!

[@screight2]

@ thanks! i subscribed to you as well

[@williamonkumpol9227]

Good simple explanation. Just as I needed.

[@StevenParente]

Aloha and thanks William. I'm happy you found it helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@davva360]

Ordered one of these yesterday, I already have a Spark 40 and I like to use that as a practice amp in the living room as it blends in and is not overly big. I want the Mini as a headphone amp and recording interface. Like that it's the same software. I am sure it won't sound as good as the 40 but for my purposes that really doesn't matter.

[@StevenParente]

Thanks for the input and watching! If you are mainly going to use it as a headphone amp and as a user interface, I don't hear a difference between the Spark 40 and the Mini when listening with headphones. The Spark 40 is much louder when listening live, although the mini holds its own for its size.

[@TwistedbassisT]

just got it yesterday, it works great but its annoying that i have to keep my phone on for it to work

[@StevenParente]

Yes, that is something that could be improved. Thanks for watching and nice Paranoid COVER!

[@kennethborrett8074]

Well described. How long do you have to fully charge it. I play lots of Hank Marvin tunes are there any settings to copy this sound in one of your banks. Thankyou

[@StevenParente]

You can check Spark Control's battery status with the Spark app, or by the red LED indicator on the foot switch. Solid Red - Powered on and fully charged. Flashing (every 3 seconds): Low Battery. Flashing (every second): Charging. Look up "Hank Marvin" tones on the Spark app and listen if they sound good to you. You can always adjust if necessary. I show how to create custom tones at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZCwq6iBmMx4e6Msi=IDy5Hf9KWNdOwW55 and more Spark info at: kzbin.info/aero/PLAHXmw7D6hvTo2jmKc69t9hdcITmRnBlk Thanks for watching!!!

[@danalmas6600]

Thanks for this. Love the amp and pedal concept but they really do a poor job of offering any tutorials on how to use it properly. Only one official video but pea brains like me need to see more.

[@StevenParente]

Thank you Dan!

[@firstlast2557]

Have you experienced a delay when switching tones? The delay when switching from high gain to clean & vice versa is sometimes so noticeable, I don’t trust it for live sets. FYI, I’m using an iPhone and an updated Spark40.

[@StevenParente]

I haven't. I'm not sure what would cause that to happen. Have you tried messaging the Positive Grid tech support? Thanks for watching!

[@mattymatmatmat977]

Good video thanks. I really wish there was a looper for it though it seems like they've put all this functionality for gigging but neglected the looper. Come on positive grid its a practice amp give us a looper.

[@StevenParente]

Thanks Matty! Yes, I agree... a looper would be great.

[@Thelma-q3v]

It allows all incoming calls. And doze not work without the app . Most phones time out now is 15 to 30 mini. So the app will shut down. We got this set-up thinking it would be great for our duet. Please tell me I'm doing something wrong. How on earth would they make a controller that only works with the app. This is a major issue.

[@StevenParente]

To use the Spark app without receiving incoming phone calls, enable "Do Not Disturb" mode on your phone; this will silence all incoming calls and notifications while you're using the Spark app. Thanks for watching!

[@walterbarkhuysen-tacke548]

IF it would be possible to use amp and footswitch after installing en setting it once and then turn off the phone it would be great and usable for me but it seems that's not.. phone app neefs to be on all the time? Bummer!

[@StevenParente]

Yes, the phone needs to be on. Thanks for watching!

[@NoahfromEarth]

I’m confused.. I bought this for the looper function. But I am not sure if that is only the “air step”

[@StevenParente]

Airstep is made by Xsonic Audio and works with a looping app. See xsonicaudio.com/blogs/blogs/looper-mode-of-airstep-spk-edition Thanks for watching!

[@NoahfromEarth]

@@StevenParenteso there is no looper function in the Spark control?

[@StevenParente]

@@NoahfromEarth Not that I know of, only third party. I use a Boss RC-3 Loop Station and plug that into my Spark when I want to loop.

[@carlos.antunes]

​@@StevenParente Can you describe your signal chain when using the RC-3 looper with the spark mini?

[@StevenParente]

@@carlos.antunes Aloha Carlos, I just plug into the RC-3 and then into the input of the amp when practicing. If you use other pedals, the RC-3 looper should be placed after your effects pedals, but before the amp input; essentially at the end of your signal chain, meaning it should go last in your pedalboard setup before connecting to your amplifier.

[@richardbiederman5115]

Is there a way to save your four presets into another part of the app like under rock or metal or alternative?

[@StevenParente]

I'll paste a couple of links that may be useful for you. Thanks for watching! help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/8141122585869-Backup-Restore-Tone-Presets and kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHOci5WPmNSHfZYsi=ysksJDiFBRw-0g50

[@spikelive]

Hi. The spark control work also with the spark go? Thank you. Greetings from Italy

[@StevenParente]

Buongiorno! Yes, you can use for both, but you have to use with your smartphone. Thanks for watching. I sub'd to your channel, very good!

[@twowaymuir]

Just bought the controler and when I follow your instructions the controller does not show up on the app at all. How do you pair the controller with the app?

[@StevenParente]

First, be sure your Spark amp is already connected to your phone via the Spark app, then turn on the Spark Control and it should automatically connect within the app. You may need to go to the "Profile menu" and select "+ Spark Control" to initiate the pairing process depending on your app version. PostiveGrid has several how-to videos on their KZbin channel and also instructions on their website. Here's a video they released about 8 months ago that might help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npPUZaeMmpdkfcUsi=B2U80A_HxLDulDQY Thanks for watching and hopefully you'll be able to get everything connected and working!

[@twowaymuir]

@@StevenParente Thanks Steven, but I had already viewed all of those videos and have done as they instruct, but the pedal doesn't connect. I don't understand where and what you mean by "Profile Menu" how or where can I find that?

[@JoeyTassello]

Haw can I change the preset hardware sound? I wanna a metal preset on the 1 switch, is it possible?

[@StevenParente]

Yes you can. You would load that into your amp's channel 1 from the app on your phone. Connect your app to your amp, find the tone and save to any of the channels on the Spark amp. I show how to do that at the end of this video showing how to create custom tones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZCwq6iBmMx4e6Msi=cNUaBCjU14_hnWsy Go to 22:46 if you already have the tone. You have a cool KZbin channel, I subscribed!🎸

[@kennethborrett8074]

Hi I have both these and want to create a Hank Marvin Shadows sound please advise settings . Thankyou

[@StevenParente]

Aloha Kenneth! The quickest way would be to search for "Hank Marvin" in the Spark app in the tone cloud. Start it up and connect to your amp and click the cloud icon. I just did it and there are around 50 tones (or more) that you can download to your amps. There's a combination of Hank Marvin and "early shadows sound". The app also allows you to listen to the tone before downloading. Once you download, you can adjust and customize as you like, and save it to your amp presets. The other way is to create your unique tone by searching what type of amp and equipment that Hank Marvin used. I did a cursory search and found he often used a VOX amp with reverb and delay. See: www.reidys.com/blog/how-to-sound-like-hank-marvin/ You'd choose the Spark amp closest to the Vox and add effects. I show how to create custom tones in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZCwq6iBmMx4e6M FYI - I also found a KZbin video of a guitarist that played through a Spark amp with a pretty close tone to Hank Marvin's "Apache" at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX6liaqLrsh6hs0

[@deenys]

Hello I have an Airstep multicontroller and I can't connect it to my Spark Go even though it connects easily to my Spark 40. An idea ? ... THANKS

[@StevenParente]

Aloha, I haven't tried the Airstep multicontroller before and can't help with that. You might try asking the XSonic users group on Facebook and see if anyone can help. Thanks for watching! facebook.com/groups/xsonicaudiouser/posts/2974383779469044/

[@billygwalthney369]

Have you made a video on doing the firmware upgrade..it keeps telling me I need to when I use the app and sometimes stops me from using some tones. I have no clue how to do the upgrade.

[@StevenParente]

I'll look into putting a video together Billy if that would be helpful. I did firmware upgrades on the amps and also needed to do an upgrade on the Spark Controller. If that would help, I could do a video. Thanks for watching and for giving your input.

[@billygwalthney369]

@@StevenParente that would be great..I tried using Ola Englunds new patches he made couple days ago and it said same thing.. firmware update needed. My buddies says same thing. I'll tell him to check out your page too, thanks.

[@bobbydrex5268]

Have the amp, don't have the footswitch - want to get one so I'm doing my due diligence. If you have tones saved as hardware presets, do you need to have the phone on to switch between presets with the footswitch?

[@StevenParente]

From what I've experienced, the Spark controller needs the iPhone or Android app to function. Here's a link you can check out for more information. artofshred.com/spark-control-review/#:~:text=Does%20the%20Spark%20Control%20connect,for%20Spark%20Control%20to%20work. Thanks for watching!

[@bobbydrex5268]

@@StevenParente Thank you!

[@DrCarlosMusic]

Mine spark pedal just came in today. I usually don't stick with the standard presets but how can I alternate between select modified clean channels and modified distortion channels with the switches? Seems like every time I try to switch between channels it just defaults to the standard presets.

[@StevenParente]

Aloha Carlos, you need to be sure to overwrite and save your new tones to each amp channel. I show that at about 2:09 in this video. I also have another video about creating custom tones at kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZCwq6iBmMx4e6M. All of my Spark videos are at kzbin.info/aero/PLAHXmw7D6hvTo2jmKc69t9hdcITmRnBlk. Thanks for watching and hope this helps!

[@07jasongambol]

Is there a way to save to pedal, so I don’t have to use app on phone. Having trouble doing that.

[@StevenParente]

From what I understand, you need to use the pedal with the app. I don't think there's any other way to do it. Can you describe what happens? Are you able to sync your phone and pedal? Thanks for watching!

[@Marvelofebikes]

Is there a way to set it up so it scrolls thru your saved presets?

[@StevenParente]

All your saved presets, not just the Hardware Presets that you've loaded? I've never tried that, only looking through them on my iphone. As for scrolling my hardware presets, I mainly use the amp to do that, like I did in the video. And you set the pedal, from your phone, to switch between your hardware presets by pushing each switch. You need to choose that mode on the phone. Hopefully I answered your question? Thanks for watching!

[@bwalk009]

Thank you for this video and trying to help...BUT...It's too complicated. Everything's on the phone, the screen's too small and it's all too hard.

[@StevenParente]

I understand. I need reading glasses now to see my iphone. I'm thinking about buying an ipad. The main thing is to buy an ipad that can load the latest ios for the Spark app. The iPad can run other software I'd like to use when playing music. Check this video out and thanks for watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5_KppVoqJeehrssi=xgwyH9RrFhE8ZjhO

[@Jackeesh]

Hello! It is possible to plug an expression pedal to Spark Control like it was in case with iRig Blueboaed?

[@StevenParente]

I don’t think so because the Spark Control is switching between presets in the Spark amp. I have plugged pedals directly into the Spark amp and into a channel with a clean tone and that works. Even with multiple pedals , including a wha wha cry baby pedal and it sounds good. I haven’t tried it, but maybe the controller will work to switch between the four channels along with pedals plugged into the amp directly. Thanks for watching!

[@bwalk009]

Question! I just want to use the controller to switch banks 1 2 3 4. Do I have to set it every time or will it stay in that setting?

[@StevenParente]

Once you set it up and save, it should stay that way until you change it. I show that in the video, but I sometimes forget to save when I make changes, and have to redo it.

[@terrencemcmanus]

when you are using the stompbox.....does the indicator light continually blink (like in the video)

[@StevenParente]

Yes, that indicates is connected to your amp by bluetooth. And it works when flashing blue and indicates connected on my iPhone See: help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/articles/10295522383501--How-do-I-check-Spark-Control-s-connection-status-

[@BTFives]

So can I go from a clean effect to a distortion effect ?

[@StevenParente]

Yes. You can choose any clean tone from the app (or create your own) and load into the channel of your choice. Do the same with your desired distortion tone, and you have it. If you're into creating your own tones, I made a video for that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZCwq6iBmMx4e6Msi=Rn_ovJixaUVCByYb Thanks for watching!

[@BTFives]

@@StevenParente awesome ty so much. You just made a sale for positive grid. Haha

[@jimmikus3089]

So you have to use the phone or pad to go from stomp to channel ? Or do you not know how to do that?

[@StevenParente]

The app controls the both the stomp and the app and needs to connect. Their site and videos say you need to use the phone or pad. Here's a link: www.positivegrid.com/products/spark-control Thanks for watching!

[@felixuscinewicz4660]

I had the airstep but i could not use my phone with it when i open my phone the pedal shuts off. It,s one or the other..

[@musicalpurpose2566]

How long does the battery last?

[@StevenParente]

I've not used it until it died. Positive grid says it will last four months at about an hour a day of use. I use for a few hours every month and give it a charge. Thanks for watching!

[@pvb2048]

@@StevenParente how do you charge it? and how do you know its actually charging and completed charging? I have tried the charger that comes with the Spark40 but it shows no activity regarding being charged. I have also tried a power brick with a usb cable, again no signs that its actually charging. How do you manage it? Thanks

[@pvb2048]

For anyone interested. I bought a 9v charger for guitar pedals off amazon. The pedal flashes red when charging and is solid red when fully charged.

[@StevenParente]

@@pvb2048Thanks for posting this information and for watching.

[@StevenParente]

@@pvb2048Blinking red for charging, solid red when charged. Positive Grid has a pretty good help section. See: help.positivegrid.com/hc/en-us/categories/4418596607885-Spark-Control

[@bobjohnson5218]

Do you think Spark has plans to upgrade the firmware so it talks directly to the amp instead of going through the app to do it? I see alot of people not being happy you need the app running to use it. In my case I have the amp on the other side of the room and it's a pain to go over there to change channels. Seems the Airstep talks directly to the spark.

[@StevenParente]

Thanks for watching! This is a good suggestion. You should email Positive Grid’s tech support and see if they respond. If they do, please let me know.

[@bobjohnson5218]

@@StevenParente That's a great idea. Since the Control can talk to a cell phone via Blutooth and the amp is Blutooth they could make a firmware update to make that happen. Not that difficult. Talked to couple professional musicians and they said they'd never use something like this on stage. My Android phone screen can only stay unlocked 30min max so that would be a disaster if the screen locked and temporarily lost the connection.

[@bobjohnson5218]

Do you always need to have the smartphone turned on to use the Spark Control or is it ready to use after setting it up? Thanks

[@StevenParente]

You always need to have your smartphone on to use the Spark control. Thanks for watching Bob!

[@davva360]

Once you have your presets saved you can select them on the amp itself you just cant change them, other than overall volume. The Spark 40 does have the nobs for the amp controls but you still cant edit pedals without spark control. I saved 4 presets on my Spark 40 that I like and I can just switch them on the amp itself if I dont feel like messing with the app.

[@yankeeblues2007]

Stupid question. You need to change MODES using your phone, right? You can’t change a preset, then go into stomp mode using the pedal? If that’s right, it kinda sucks?

[@bobjohnson5218]

​@@yankeeblues2007 Stupid answer!!! There's a non-Spark footswitch that doesn't need a smartphone and it's half the price. I talked to musicians that actually gig as well as gear advisors at some of the stores I buy from and all agreed they'd never use a switch that needs to have a cell phone turned on and connected. It's a terrible idea but you think it's great.

[@sikwrldh]

is there a way to use it with your phone off??

[@StevenParente]

Not that I know of. Thanks for watching!

[@basarat]

Nope sadly .