Spark 2 Help Series: Groove Looper Overview

[@RavdeepSandhu]

Having tried the spark 2 Looper, it has quite a few issues: 1. Tempo settings don't persist. Record a groove loop at 90bpm. Open app later again and it resets to 120bpm 2. The list of drum tracks is not sorted, and the order seems to change everytime. 3. You can't search or filter any of the drum track within a given genre 4. Volume adjustments for loop and drum tracks are very flakey and don't always work 5. Adjusting the volume on amp sim doesn't always work And lastly, the biggest issue IMO, you can't export and save the loops you've created

[@bitcoinbusker]

I have 100% all of the above. Plus favorites do not save, list is empty. The looper volume control via the guitar volume knob only controls guitar volume and not both guitar and looper as mentioned in first video. I can only control looper volume via the app. Also the drum pattern selected only randomly works, once selected the orange box is still waiting for a selection. Crashing out the app and restarting was only solution to drum selection issue. I’m sure bugs will get resolved in firmware updates, i do love it though :)

[@dethklok107]

If we can save loops that would be...chefs kiss

[@ChrisLoNgShAnK1990]

@@bitcoinbusker hopefully a firmware update can fix all these things!

[@Theeletricminers]

yeah, it´s a piece of s... all buggy app ... gonna return my spark 2

[@geoffreynenninger]

Same question as the others: it's been mentioned various places that the Spark Control X can control the looper functions. Seems like currently all it can do is be used to start/stop music and thus control the drum loop using the groove looper. Can we program the buttons to start stop the simple looper?

[@simonk8]

I have the same question on the ControlX, can’t see any option/ profiles to control Looper functions as advertised . What am I missing? Thanks

[@simonk8]

Positive Grid support have confirmed Looper control via Control X with firmware 4.1.23. Details are now available in the latest control x manual Download but the firmware isn’t available in the spark app yet, unless I’m missing something. I’ve asked PG to confirm UPDATE - Firmware is now available for looper control on the Control X - happy looping everyone Update 2- Used for a few days now and happy to report the looper control works great 👍🏻 Very useable workflow

[@davva360]

Yeah ive seen the instructions, updated both firmware and its not available yet.

[@simonk8]

Apparently the firmware should be released this week….let’s see

[@smokNmiras]

The firmware update for control x is available already. Works well. Way more convenient controlling the 2looper with the control x

[@simonk8]

@@smokNmiras Just checked and it's there..thanks! I'm updating now look forward to checking it out

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Guys I travel alot for medical appointments and im sick of dragging my helix floor and an frfr speaker. I had the spark 1 and liked it well enough and regret ridding myself of it but i didn't use it for ages so i pretty much gave it away. I decide the day of if I'm gonna bring a bass or a 6 to 8 string electric guitar

[@3top5]

Just ordered one today.

[@Teleken1968]

Stopping by to say I have Telecaster envy - that’s a really unique one. :)

[@דודוסר]

Did my first experimenting with the Groove Looper. I found it very non-intuitive to use and had to consult this video a few times. Whatever - at least now I think I understand the interface. BUT - there's a major bug/flaw in the looper!! I chose a drum track and recorded a chord progression over it. When I play it back, it starts out ok, but after a few minutes of looping, the guitar part starts to get more and more out of sync with the drum track until it's just horrendous. There is no way you could use this either for practice, rehearsal, or performance. Is my unit defective, or are other people experiencing the same issue?

[@DanRavid]

Also having the same issue with tracks going out of sync. Reaaalllly frustrating and need a resolution....

[@jonthehermit8082]

@@DanRaviddid you ever get that figured out? When I go to do the guitar over my bass track it’s all jacked up when I restart. It’s fine if I don’t stop.

[@DanRavid]

​@@jonthehermit8082 sort of LOL. Their answer was to factory reset the Spark 2 and make sure I have the latest spark app version which I already had. Not much of an answer but after factory reset it seems a little better. Let me know how you make out if you try their "fix".

[@jonthehermit8082]

@@DanRavid it’s doing better, if have overdubs and switch around its the same, if I keep it simple it’s doing better, I’m running into the auxiliary with other things.

[@jonthehermit8082]

@ update is if I start and stop and switch instruments, it’s seems to not be able to handle it. But it’s doing better than it was.

[@HumbleHeartMinistry]

Tried out the groove looper yesterday. Made several loops with different drum styles. The one thing I found while recording all of them, is that there seems to be a slight pause or a little mute where the first notes are not heard correctly when I start playing after the 4 count in. When I play back the loop after recording it isn’t there. But this is still very frustrating and kind of makes you think you messed up coming in at right time. Hopefully this will be resolved by firmware updates, also there needs to be a way to store the loops on the app, or on amp. When you are playing in a park or for anyone, you don’t want to have to make them set there when you find a drum part, set the bpm, find your tone, and put in all the parts. Just being able even save 5 would be better than just the one. But with all that said, I like the amp and backing tracks sound better when jamming to them to me, then the S40 did. Think they did good job on the S2, just a few little things need worked out. That hopefully firmware updates with address.

[@Kennardy]

I wish I didn’t “have to” select bars. I have two looping pedals and neither requires bar counts; just start and stop as my creative mood hits me. It’d be nice to have the option.

[@davidbiasotti1689]

Thanks. This is really helpful.

[@jesseweyher2409]

Am I crazy or when I adjust the BPM in the looper, it throws off my delay effect? The velocity seems to accelerate as I up the tempo which is kind of annoying.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

All the Spark Amps sound great. I don't have the Spark Cabinet. But I have all the other ones. The problem I have is not the Amp per se but with the App. Positive needs to modify there apps so that I can move the pedals around the chain. Some pedals sound good after the amp and some sound good before. I wish they would feature a pedal like the Drop Pedal from Digitech. So many songs are in Eb, D Standard, that kind of pedal. Also, I would like a separate folder so that I can create a setlist, so that if I am gigging, I have my songs all laid out. I think an Upgrade to the app is in order. Just my two cents.

[@Scoots_McGee]

I'm in the market for a pitch shifter, but there seems to only be three on the market worth any attention, and the Digitech Drop seems to be the best one, but its also the most expensive one, and easiest to find. Mooer makes a pitch box but it's not great beyond like 2 or 3 semitones, it doesn't track well at all, and I've heard really good things about the slammi 2 pedal but I cannot find a used one for the life of me

[@AdHodd]

so funny, i keep debating between S2 mainly for the AI/App/Effects bundle. But then for the price part of me feels like just go a more traditional bosskatama50 and run pedals for a better sound. In particular i want the digi whammy/drop pedal. And then i randomly come accross this comment!

[@gildeker6969]

So, basically the looper is an app feature? Is there a reason it won't be offered to other Spark users? (Mini etc)

[@marcus1984-C3PO]

The app has the filter for blues drum tracks but has none?

[@VickyFlisa]

change to shuffle. blues needs shuffle...

[@NetherFens]

Nice tutorial! There's no audio export function?

[@Jasldg]

Same question here

[@Slamminbassplayer]

Me too

[@eny68]

Bought the Spark 2.0 yesterday, cannot get either of the 4 jam functions to work, keeps saying "Resources Downloading". Permissions full, app and firmware latest versions. What am I doing wrong?

[@apidyahex9213]

I am guessing it only works through the phone microphone. so it cannot be used with headphones plugged into the amp?!

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

This is so cool! What model Fender is that a Tele with a Floyd Rose? Also I'm really digging the guitar riff from 1:00 - 1:19? Great lesson.

[@danieladanidonatone4901]

It’s a function for spark go too?

[@geoffregan7953]

Just started using mine. So far Jarvis crashes ever time . Updated firmware . Still crahses. Also curious ..... The tread plate doesn't really have that growl soudn like a triple rectifier would. Am I doing it wrong?

[@fast-trackhack6637]

Need rhythm for cajon (maybe latin instruments also) and soft acoustic rock "groove loops" That's the missing thing for more acoustic performances GarageBand and Nux Stageman Amps provide this in their software already

[@Alfredo78666]

Actually, you also need to be logged in the app to turn off the pedal

[@Tonetwisters]

Heck. I cannot even figure out how to find the APP on my phone.

[@fuzexi]

Is the loooper available to people who bought the 'Go' amp?

[@positivegrid]

@@fuzexi Looper is currently available on Spark 2 and Spark EDGE

[@quit293]

So only way to adjust looper volume is thru the app?

[@stevekirchuk]

can the looper be used without the drums and bpm setting?

[@kennyg-zx4sp]

I don't understand why go through so much time and trouble to create a short loop to prctice over when you can choose from thousands of backing tracks on You Tube and loop any section you want and also save it onto the Spark.

[@kaan8296]

are there 6/8 drums as well?

[@arj1765]

Can you record the loop via the usb c cable to the laptop?

[@Theeletricminers]

no ... if you connect the spark 2 to pc via usb c cutts off the bluetooth to the app ... frustanting

[@TheNightstalker80]

So far, with the altest App Update and Firmware the looper works OK, still volume controls are weird sometimes, you never know what controls what and how, sometimes I need to adjust the volume on the phone, sometimes in the app and sometimes on the amp. I get it to work eventually and then it does wor as expected. What I REALLY whish they implement is some loop editing in the app, I don't know how many loops you can layer but you can always only redo the last one, sometimes I'd like to redo the fist or second but no way. Also sometimes I want to change the volume of a particular loop to get through better but you can not do anythig like that, that's a shame and I'd HIGHLY appreciate a feature to see and edit all the loops you have recorded and of course it would be great if you can also save and export them. I'm not constantly hooked up to my PC and sometimes I just record a nice loop that I'd like to work on again later but you can't do that ...

[@stratslinger3921]

There’s not one blues drum baking !

[@Preisz1]

🎶🎸🤗

[@Thelma-q3v]

The reverb sounds like a $10 reverb pedal from china. And the rest of the effects. Dont you love the honesty of these KZbinrs

[@GummerNH]

That’s just the way it is….

[@michaelneufeld2649]

Please tell me I’m just missing something but how do I save a loop? I only bought this thing because side it has a looper and wanted to create some plus use just to record certain riffs etc… Love the amp but already have the go and mini and this is a waste of money if I can save the loops. Also, is there anyway to record from let’s say a backing track and your guitar over it? Is that really too much to ask for?

[@nacuda9]

I'm returning Spark 2 because it's awful. (my first Positive Grid item purchased) Awful because their support is none existent other than click this. No live chat. No phone number. Bluetooth won't connect no matter what I do. PC won't open their firmware no matter what I do. These problems only relate to Positive Grid. I can run all these things for all my other electronics. Not sure why their phone app can't be hardwired via included USB C cable? DON"T BUY IT! imo

[@sgd5k292]

With my Spark 40, which I have had since when they first came out, I had no issues with Bluetooth ONCE I figured out that there cannot be any device with it's Bluetooth on nearby, except for the device you are pairing with. The only tech problem I had was with the last firmware update the S40 stopped working. That was on a Friday, after contacting support, I had it working perfectly by Sunday afternoon (yes they responded all weekend until the issue was fixed by Sunday :). My new Spark 2 is a much better amp in many ways that I won't get into, except that the sound is superior to my S40 and I have tested them side by side. Hope you get your issues resolved!!

[@ridingblues]

??????

[@roscius6204]

Bah.... backing track while you're talking about a looper.....

[@brucemorgan3921]

I hate the drums. Terrible selection. There are so many good drum loops available free on the internet. Why can't these people find some of them and integrate them into the amp?

[@rickcalvert4820]

The looper is trash. Positive Grid is so great at marketing. Really shitty at providing helpful information. Definitely an improved sound from Spark1 to Spark 2, but the complications the looper are unnecessary and dumb.

[@PaulOgrady-s3t]

Total junk. Don't waist your money like 110%

[@TheRealYodaMC]

It suck there is so much misinformation for these spark amps. Such a disappointing false advertisement campaign they run that by the time you figure out how to get everything the way they advertise you lose a lot of interest.

[@TheSponky]

How do we play drums without bluetooth? Since my Bluetooth in Spark 2 is not connecting. Are there longer video demos that get into tech details? These here are nice if tech is running smoothly and we already know the tech :(

[@dsan3516]

Did you push the pair button on the back? Was having the same issue until I found that button

[@TheSponky]

I'm having trouble loading Groove Looper because Bluetooth won't load/connect the Spark 2 amp. Spark app opens and shows in Settings the Bluetooth is connecting. Yet the Bluetooth never connects. I go around and around. Anyone else have this "Must load bluetooth crap"?? Is there a work around and play drums anyway? ugh

[@דודוסר]

I was having the same difficulty with getting the bluetooth connection to show up. I don't know if this will help, but this sequence works for me: 1) Power on the Spark 2; 2) Open the Spark app on your iphone/ipad and press "Connect"; 3) Open Settings>Bluetooth on your iphone/ipad; 4) Tap the Bluetooth pairing button on back of the Spark (don't hold the button down; just tap it); 5) Look for Spark Audio to show up in the "Other Devices" list in the Bluetooth settings on your iphone/ipad and tap it to connect. Hope that works for you!