OK, here's an update regarding my experience with the new Tone 3.0 app.
Regarding app connectivity:
The app connection issue I mentioned earlier appears to be localized to my iOS device (iPhone 8, iOS 13.3.1). I have an Android tablet (Galaxy Tab E 8, Android 7.1.1), and it connects and refreshes the amp presets with no issues.
I think I have found a fix/workaround on the iPhone. The problem seems to stem from the iPhone connecting to the amp before the app does. There is actually the following "known issues" warning in the firmware release notes pertaining to connection issues with bluetooth audio streaming; but, it appears this issue affects app connectivity as well.
- Known issues (check back for a future fix)
- iOS 13.x users: there is a Tone/amp connection issue that can be avoided by making the connection between the Tone app and your amp FIRST before connecting your phone to your amp for bluetooth audio streaming.
It appears that, if Bluetooth in iOS automatically connects to the amp prior to the tone app connecting, then there is some sort of communications conflict. So, you want the amp to be present in the list of "MY DEVICES" when Bluetooth is turned ON; but,
not to have Bluetooth connect to the amp automatically outside of the Tone app.
To achieve this, do the following:
- If your iOS device is not already paired with the amp, pair it in accordance with Fender instructions. Note, this requires a response on the amp to confirm acceptance of the pairing.
- At this point with the general Bluetooth settings, the amp should appear in the "MY DEVICES" list, and will show a status of "Connected".
- Select the 'Information' icon (the little circle with an "i" in it) for the amp.
- Select "Disconnect"
- Go back to the general Bluetooth settings.
The amp should now still be in the "MY DEVICES" list; but, it should show a status of "Not Connected". In this configuration, iOS recognizes the presence of the device, but it does not automatically connect to it.
Launch the Tone app, and select the Rumble amp in 'Settings' (
if you haven't already connected the app to the amp). Once a connection to the amp has been established within the Tone app, it will reconnect to it automatically in subsequent launches of the app.
This has resolved the intermittent connection issues for me, and dramatically improved connectivity performance.
I hope this helps.
Regarding the app itself:
I like the new layout. I have always been a bit partial to the skeuomorphic designs like we had in Fuse. Although I think plain configuration data entry like in Tone 2.x is simpler and more parameter-focused, the "real-world" amp appearance just makes it seem more intuitive. So, so far, I like the new design.
Plus, a big thing (
for me at least): It looks like they fixed the issue that affected the saving of Rumble V3 presets in the iOS app. If you don't recall, the Rumble V3's "Vintage", "Overdrive", "Contour", and "Bright" settings were omitted in the iOS version of the app. This resulted in these parameters not being included when you saved or restored a Rumble V3 preset. These parameters are present in the 3.0 rev of the iOS app. So, while I have not tested saving and restoring a Rumble V3 preset with the new app, yet, I am encouraged by its presence that the issue is fixed.
Rumble on, fellow digital Rumblers!!!
