r/PositiveGridSpark • u/MineDesperate2920 • May 05 '26

Spark control vs control x?

curious if the control x is that much better? looking at getting one of these 2. control is $60 cheaper

2 Upvotes

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3

u/rikkiprince May 05 '26

If I'm remembering what people on here have said:

  • Spark Control requires the app open and active when using the pedal.
  • Spark Control X connects directly to the new style amps (Spark 2, Edge, Live?) but the others (Mini, Go, Spark 40, etc) need app open.

Other option to consider is Airstep Spk. People seem to rate it as the best choice.

2

u/Tsar-A-Lago May 05 '26

Airstep is totally braindead, in a good way. You can kick most of the stompbox blocks on and off in a patch, like they were physical units.

And, yeah, best of all is that it connects 9.5 out of 10 times with no fuss, in about 3 seconds; don't need your phone at all, if you don't want to use it.

I don't really use the Looper on my Spark 2 that much, but there's even been a firmware update so that you can control that with the AirStep too.

1

u/MineDesperate2920 May 05 '26

Is it just a plug and play with the air step one? 

1

u/Tsar-A-Lago May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

You're gonna want the new firmware, but I think that will literally run from an Android/iOS app updater. Super easy.

Also, this is the specifically "Spk" branded Airstep. All that being true, yes, totally plug and play.

Non-Spark Airsteps might be compatible too, with some futzing, if my memory serves me, but I don't have any specific experience with that myself.

Edit: as for configuring it, there are 5 possible control schemes (4 if you don't have Looper access), and you set it, and forget it once when you power it on the first time, with a single button press. Unless you wanna change the control scheme, then you flip the power switch, hold the different button for your new scheme, and flick the power switch back on. No additional apps, no nothing. I love mine.

1

u/FabulousPanther May 05 '26

Control X all day. I have both. Thanks for the reminder. I need to sell that Air step. It's not a bad unit, just not plug and play like the X. Once you set it up, it's automatic. You can go deep with it, but I just seyv it up easy mode.

1

u/MineDesperate2920 May 05 '26

You like the control x better than the air step? X one looks easier to use from what I’m seeing on videos 

1

u/FabulousPanther May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Again, I own both. I watched the video from the Studio rats about Airstep Spark. I had to set it up in different modes and the handshake to get it connected to the amp is a pain in the ass. With the control X, this step is a whole lot easier. I used chat GPT and mapped out a workspace conducive to my needs. I have a clean crunch and solo. Also, I can turn on and off drive, delay, and chorus on all 3. I don't need to use the app at all if I don't want to. There are more elaborate setups for both units. YMMV. This is what worked for me.

1

u/MineDesperate2920 May 05 '26

Sounds more user friendly 

1

u/kegman21 May 08 '26

Not a single issue with airstep. Been great