THE TRUTH about SPARK CONTROL by Positive Grid [unbiased review]

[@ArtOfShredYT]

NOTE: I no longer recommend the Spark Control! In March 2024 it stopped connecting. It eventually started working but then stopped working again in May 2024. I've gone through all the troubleshooting and it didn't help. I do, however, still recommend the Spark amps. Our Positive Grid practice amp reviews: ➤ Spark 40 kzbin.info/www/bejne/op2md2iZrc2drpI ➤ Spark GO kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6DchWh6Z7-LqdU

[@stevebaar]

mine too. will not connect.

[@MikeHanby]

I agree, the Spark Control should communicate directly with the amp so that you can use it without your phone/tablet. You should at least be able to use it without the phone to switch the 4 channel amp presets

[@The_Cyberz]

Hell, I'd be happy if you could just plug it into the amp or BT to the phone app.

[@MarkGray1970]

Yeah, minor annoyance for meant it was a wasted $100 for me. I like to play along with music and whenever I change the Spark App to my music player, it all stops working. I like how the pedal works, but I rarely (never) connect the app, and when I do the amount of time it disconnects makes it more of a PITA than useful. I literally have better luck changing the amp with my toe

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thanks for sharing! That's too bad it's giving you so many issues. I wonder if it's a matter of certain phones don't do well with the app/bluetooth connection because I don't seem to have connection issues. But they've certainly got some bugs to work out for future versions. (Or hopefully this version with a firmware update.)

[@spacerangerlol]

That's a real bummer. Unfortunately I bought the footswitch before I knew it, since it seemed logical to me that it should connect directly to the amp after initial setup. I wonder if it can be added as a software update. Otherwise it's too troublesome to have a phone as a middle man all the time. Thank you for filming this video as a heads up for other folks. Though such a tech savvy company as Positive Grid should definitely do something about it.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah I hope it's possible to fix it with a software update but even if not I still use the foot switch regularly

[@jamesmichaelcabrera9613]

Have they made an update yet

[@ChrisTheMeat]

@@jamesmichaelcabrera9613 I just got one and it still needs the app, this is a huge pain for me, I never use the app, I just want to use the amp and the stomp box. total let down.

[@ehdforlife]

The other big killer is the control has no lights. So, you can't tell which channel is on, and if you use the stomp option you can't tell if you selected the pedal you want to turn on. I bought it, and used it twice.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

That's a good point. I guess since it requires the app to be open and screen on that's how you know what is what, but I hadn't thought how helpful LEDs on each footswitch would be. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@ehdforlife]

@@ArtOfShredYT oh, and guess what, they just released a new footswitch.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@ehdforlife yeah, it looks good! but it only works directly with their new LIVE amp so it's ... a little disappointing

[@ehdforlife]

@@ArtOfShredYT that is disappointing.

[@tattguy690]

I agree it should connect directly. There is allot of delay in the connection too.

[@dmcgOR7644]

I love all of my Spark equipment, from the 40, Control, to the Go, which I just finally received and have been impressed for several sessions, although it doesn't work so well with the beatbuddy, makes it sound synthesized. The one thing I wish they would do is have a windows app. Maybe they do and I don't know about it, but I haven't had any success using the Spark with my PC outside of using it as an interface and recording on reaper and bandlab. I'd like to be able to use smart jam and all the other cool stuff right on my PC.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Dan. There's no Mac app either, although I don't have a use for the smart jam or other things on my computer.

[@RazvanCosti]

Going through the app is not only a “minor annoyance” unfortunately, since the app still loses bluetooth connectivity with the amp unexpectedly. For a live playing situation, that is unacceptable.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I hear you. But this is a home practice amp, not made for live playing except maybe in a coffee shop. That said, I haven't had bluetooth issues with it, but I know bluetooth is finicky so it likely depends on your phone as much as anything.

[@mattymatmatmat977]

I agree with the op. My app loses connection all the time if it is meant as a practice amp why go to all the trouble of giving gig appropriate switching. Especially when they don't include a looper. Basically I am just salty that there is no looper.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@mattymatmatmat977 Damn, that's too bad that you're also losing connection regularly. Hopefully a future app update will fix that! I'm not sure what "gig appropriate switching" is, but this is definitely not meant as a live amp. That said, a looper would be sweet!

[@Sgt6217]

The airstep pedal solves all these problems and it's only 69.99 on Amazon

[@GuitarsandDrones]

100% deal breaker for me, I got the air step spark and connect straight to the amp for jam nights and home use, I virtually never use the app 😮

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah it makes me think if airstep can do it then this should too. Maybe with a software update

[@JBAikensMusic]

Air Step allows preset change direct to amp?

[@GuitarsandDrones]

@@JBAikensMusic yes, no need for the app once it’s all set up, I have done this in a live show and at home and practice ever since I owned the air step

[@JamesPartridge-u5y]

Sucks mine broke quick and I don’t even step on it the button came loose and got lost.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

ugh, that's no fun :/

[@bluesman354]

Do the pedals and amp change if you use an android? The xsonic doesn't change anything with Android 😢 the sound changes but not on the screen

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Yeah the screen in the app changes on Android. I think maybe it doesn't on xsonic because it doesn't connect to the app, only to the presets on the amp (somehow!). I really need to test out an xsonic and do a comparison video.

[@walterbarkhuysen-tacke548]

Great review / info! Thought about buying one but now i won't. Maybe after future update..

[@ArtOfShredYT]

The new Control X is good. Haven't posted a review of it yet.

[@walterbarkhuysen-tacke548]

@ArtOfShredYT ok thanx, i'll check it, but it probably needs the app all the time as well..

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@walterbarkhuysen-tacke548 It does for the old amps, but not for Spark 2.

[@GuilhermeBreda]

Thank you for the review!! I’m still waiting for my spark control to arrive. But I was also upset there’s so much dependency on the App… also, I wonder if I could set the spark control footswitches 1 and 2 for channel switch and 3 and 4 for stomp switch. Or even, would it be possible to change all 4 channels and then switch to stomp mode without using the app?

[@GuilhermeBreda]

If they can enable dual tap or pressing two switches at the same time it would be able to control much more parameters…or change modes

[@ArtOfShredYT]

You're welcome! You can definitely have the different footswitches change channels and stomp boxes (say channel 1 and 2, drive, and delay for the 4 footswitches) but you can't change the presets you're using without the app. The app does allow you to customize and set up multiple scenarios though.

[@shrimpu]

Thanks for the review - Will you be doing a review of the Spark 2? Really would like to see your thoughts re: Spark-40 vs. the new Spark-2 (IDK why they didn't name it the Spark-50)

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Funnily enough I just posted a TikTok a couple minutes ago: www.tiktok.com/@artofshred/video/7410475234106690862 My Spark 2 just arrived and I will definitely be doing a review and comparison video. Thanks for watching! 🤘

[@shrimpu]

@@ArtOfShredYT Great! Thank you

[@micahflanders6789]

Have you tried the Spark Control X? I’m considering getting that one instead.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@micahflanders6789 yeah they sent me one to check out after I mentioned all the issues I started having with this one. It's a lot better but not entirely without issues.

[@micahflanders6789]

Thanks

[@66biker95]

Thanks for the info on this. I don't have a cell phone, thus no app... So thank you for saving me $100!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Happy to help!

[@youmustmonthebiff]

Why would you buy this amp if you can’t get the app?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@youmustmonthebiff You probably shouldn't buy it in that case

[@Bob1Gee]

You say that it works with the 40 and the Mini. Are we to assume then that I does NOT work with the Spark Go?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Go wasn't out when I made this video last year. It works with Go, as shown here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6DchWh6Z7-LqdU

[@Bob1Gee]

Ahh….that makes sense. Thank you.

[@dilligaf8349]

That's good to know. I was thinking of getting two spark go's to gig with.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Difficult to gig with a Go, I would think

[@bobjohnson5218]

Good video. Wish I saw your video and that need the cell phone open for it to work before ordering one.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

It's still fun so hopefully you won't be too disappointed

[@wootton900]

I’m so glad I watched this the fact it doesn’t work without the app open is a big boo for me

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Happy to help. I still like it though

[@pttrent123]

This seems pretty limited, thanks for the heads up about the limitations

[@ArtOfShredYT]

You're welcome!

[@johnmcminn9455]

the question is what amp does everything ?

[@ArtOfShredYT]

No amp. But modeling amps like this definitely do a lot

[@johnmcminn9455]

@@ArtOfShredYT did you do a review of the Boss kantina ? it seems like that one works like the GT series multi effects where you program it with the editor software App then the effect stores it to memory and you can scroll through the banks with the airstep pedal, with out the app

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@johnmcminn9455 Katana is really cool. Haven't reviewed one, but it's a good choice too!

[@wirelesselectrode]

C'mon its indeed a deal breaker, i don't want to go to the whole process of attaching one thing to another on bluetooth etc, if i want to relax playing guitar i want to grab my guitar turn on the amp and play for a while, the design of having to connect the footswitch to the app and the app to the amp, is a pain in the ass. I own all the amp suit from them, Spark 40W, the spark mini , the positive grid amp rack and the new one spark Go (just waiting for it to arrive) .. so i could say I like their product even with all the issues, but this is by far the biggest deal breaker for the footswitch otherwise i would buy it. I normally go to the amp if i want to setup the preset like once in a while not every single time I wantt o relax by playing my guitars for a while, or if im inspired thats a big NO. I suppose I understand the hardware limitations because they were not designed with a footswitch in mind to begging with and probably the reason why they went for this way of handling the connection, never the less they can come up with a better solution even if that implies an extra hardware attached to the amp. so thats a big NO for me.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ok. I still like it and use it

[@80srocker65]

Really cool review

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thank you!

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Thanks for a great review. Might just buy myself one. 👍

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thank you, happy you liked it!

[@PaulChoate-s4v]

The Spark Air control works great. No need for the app. BUT you can’t use the app with the air! So, I have both.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Nice! The new Spark 2 works with the newish Spark Control X app or no app. I'll have a video on both in a month or 2 🤘

[@PaulChoate-s4v]

@@ArtOfShredYT Great. Now I'll have three pedals!

[@Sgt6217]

Get the airstep! No lag, and the app has to be closed while you use it... perfect!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I've heard good things about the airstep. I'm just hoping Positive Grid does some firmware updates to fix this though :)

[@Guttalaser]

The answer i can't find anywhere is: can the Spark/Spark App SWITCH OFF THE (f***ing) CAB IR SIM? Why? Because IF YES one can use the phone outs (that it's just "almost" like a line out) and go into a BILLION WATTS POWER AMP (or even TWO In STEREO!!!) and then into two real 4x12 Marshall cabs and turning a small practice amp into a FULL STAGE STEREO GUITAR RIG!!!! AND/OR you can go into a... say CAB M+ and use TONS of other CAB IRs!!! And because IF NOT... so.... JUST WHY NOT???!!! It's f***ing software!!!! DO IT!!! Positive Grid!!!!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

I don't believe that's possible but it would be pretty interesting

[@Guttalaser]

@@ArtOfShredYT yeah Man is not only "interesting"... it's a totally shame that is not possible for now!!! The Positive Grid amp PC app can... even the PG mobile apps can... PG MUST put this feature in the Spark app!

[@jamesmichaelcabrera9613]

I'm glad to see my boy has a pixel 7 pro and not no damn iPhone

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Honestly, I should've gotten an iPhone. Better for film/content. Also, that's a regular Pixel 6 in the video.

[@jamesmichaelcabrera9613]

@@ArtOfShredYT yeah I don't use it for recording. I got myself a new pixel

[@ArtOfShredYT]

@@jamesmichaelcabrera9613 I actually got the regular Pixel 8 last month. I don't like it haha

[@Rootstable]

Tks bro

[@slicksalmon6948]

The controller should have been hard wired to the amp.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

That's one solution but it wouldn't have as many options then

[@slicksalmon6948]

@@ArtOfShredYT OK, I can see that. Good point.

[@byronmcduffy3485]

Not worth anything if I have to have a phone and spark app running. Too bad - makes it useless really.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

It is annoying but I still like it. I'd love it if they fixed that though!

[@wallacegrommet3479]

Another battery hassle

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Not for everyone, but the charge lasts a long time. That said, I don't recommend this old Control anymore. The new Control X is a lot better

[@stringandreed]

It's a total disappointment. Makes it useless.

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Ok

[@efminkane]

i wouldn't have bought it, if i knew that it can not work directly with amp. This is a major flow. It's aceptable (and obvious) that I have to use an other device (e.g. iphone) to setup the presets. It's inacceptbale if I just want to use the amp with the footswitch. @positivegrid: fix that!

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don't know their return policy but you could probably ask for a refund