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happyhappysundays / SparkBox

A BlueTooth/BLE effects pedal for the Spark40 guitar amp.
GNU General Public License v3.0
41 stars 13 forks source link

0.99 feedback and questions #42

Closed boctok closed 1 year ago

boctok commented 2 years ago

I've been using the 0.99 version for a while and it functions very well in most areas. I have used it on both the Spark 40 and the Spark Mini.

I've loaded a couple of the banks via the webpage interface. Finding the right spot to "drag and drop" the files took a minute, but it works well. Remembering which button to hold to load which part of the interface takes some time and if I ever get around to it, labelling the buttons will solve that.

Since I've loaded 0.88 and then 0.99, I haven't been able to get the app to connect with the SparkBox. If the SparkBox is connected, the app will either not connect or it will connect and the SparkBox will be disconnected. Is this due to the addition of the tone banks? I realize that the tone banks are a substitute for the app, but it would be nice to still access the app.

I have not been able to get the expression pedal to work. I may have the wrong configuration for the pedal. Does it have to be plugged in when the SparkBox is powered on? Can you tell me which pedal configuaration should work?

CW —— Sleeve Wiper — Tip CCW —– Ring

CW —— Sleeve Wiper — Ring CCW —– Tip

happyhappysundays commented 2 years ago

Hi there,

If it's not setup exactly right it can have trouble connecting just as you have found. While it should be fixed in the very latest version, in my case the app would refuse to connect because one of my preset names was too long. Try manually deleting all the presets via the web interface and see if the app connects.

If you've tried an older version maybe try a full factory reset on the Spark, forget all the BT devices etc. I am running the latest code on mine and with iOS it is (finally) working ok. The Android experience is different and needs different compile options. If you are a contributor, you might gain access to the small FB group "Spark Amp Programmer" which is the only place this is being discussed. https://www.facebook.com/groups/772009393740813. Unfortunately it's not for casual Q&A as it's a closed group.

With the expression pedal, first thing to know is that you have to explain which control you are trying to connect to the pedal. All you have to do is, in the app, touch and briefly adjust the control in question. For example, modulation depth. Make sure you turn the control a little. The expression pedal function will now be connected to that one. Next, I assume that it's the same type of variable resistance type as mine? Basically it's just a potentiometer. You can see the schematic here in the Readme on Github. It shows you that the Tip/Wiper goes to D34, the middle to the pull-up and the ring/sleeve to ground. The CW/CCW notation is not so important and you can swap it if the response is not what you expect.

Good luck!

boctok commented 2 years ago

Figured out my connection issue. When I uploaded the newest sketch, I had forgotten to uncomment "Classic" and was trying to connect with my S21. That's sorted.

One thing I did notice when troubleshooting this was that in the web interface, while trying to rename presets, I found that the new names didn't stick and it reverted back to the original.

happyhappysundays commented 2 years ago

Hi, Thanks for the bug report. I'll try that out when I get time. Also, great that you got the connection issue sorted! David

boctok commented 2 years ago

After loading some presets through the web interface and figuring out which "names" I could rename, it appears that everything is working. SparkBox connects, app connects, changing banks with the pedal loads the amp and the app. As far as the renaming the presets, it takes a forced refresh in the browser sometimes for the changes to show up (Chrome).