I seem to be having the same issues that a lot of people have reported, where I cannot get the Marshall Gateway app to connect to my Code 25. I've only had the amp for about a week and I cannot get the app to see it. ? 

I can connect to the amp via Bluetooth using my phone (Pixel 3a, Android 11) and whilst connected, can use it as a BT speaker to play music from Spotify. However, nothing I do seems to get the app to connect to the amplifier. 

-I've updated the amp to the latest firmware using my laptop/web browser. 
-I've followed all the instructions in the Bluetooth Connectivity Troubleshooter to the letter (CODE - Gateway Bluetooth Connection Troubleshooting - my.marshall.com)

No matter what I do, or what order I install/uninstall/connect, the app will not see the amplifier. Everything works otherwise - I'm able to apply Patches from ? using a USB connection - and the amp sounds great. I'd just like to be able to control it from my phone.

I have had a chance to spend a few days with the Marshall code 25 and I would like to share with you a few of my findings. I have played guitar professionally for over 30 years and have had all makes and models of guitars and amps in my time, but in general I would have killed for the equipment available to guitarist today.

This is the point where I look at the Code 25 and think “that looks like fun”. I have a few amps kicking about already, mostly gigging volume amps but I also have a Blackstar ID-Core 40, so this would be in reality what I would compare the Code 25 against.

Firstly my experience with the amp and a look around these forums makes one thing apparent. This amp is well named because it is a bit of an enigma.Out of the box I would consider the amplifier not fit for purpose this is really down to a few reasons.

Firstly, some of the presets are just absolutely terrible, I mean some of the worst patches I’ve ever heard on anything, “Small combo” and the “Brit” overdrive amps for instance are shockingly bad. You can make the excuse that all amp and effects units come with bad presets. However this is usually down to strange or weird effects to give bizarre sounds to show off effects but that nobody would ever use in a musical context. However some patches (such as Small Combo) are just basic amp modelling with no effects and are still absolutely terrible. Maybe these sound better on the 50 or 100, but if that’s the case remove them from the 25 it just gives a bad impression.

Secondly, the amp is stupidly loud. I don’t know if this is a marketing decision, but Marshall should look at its target demographic. This thing is a small bedroom practice amp, maybe at a push for some very small live situations, but that is it. Why make the thing so loud? If you need to use this amp near anything over half volume you have bought the wrong amp it’s as simple as that.

Thirdly, some of the modelling is not all it could be with digital artefacts (in the low end in particular), and a fizzy noise gate that for some reason is on patches where there is absolutely no need to have it as the patch is pretty quiet. Once again this is not a professional gigging or recording product and it should be judgged accordingly.

The last bad point I would say against this amp is the tuner, both onboard and on the app are two of the least responsive and wildly inaccurate tuners I have ever seen. Really not even close to tune! Put this down to another marketing tick box.

OK, now the good points.

It seems pretty well made and solid for what it is.

I like the size and weight, ideal for a bedroom practice amp.

I like the complete range of controls on the amp, and how you can do everything on the amp that you can do on the app, and it’s easy to do. Great user interface design work.

I like the Bluetooth features and the app. I know people have had problems with Bluetooth, but both my IOS and Android phones connected right away and are stable. I can stream music no problem from outside the house or in other rooms with no issues.

I like having 100 presets to store all the patches I could want (My Blackstar only had 6, and you can only have 1 for each model).

The headphone socket sounds OK, but if I wanted that as a primary feature I would have just bought headphone amp with effects.

I don’t use the recording over USB feature. If I did I wouldn’t expect something this cheap to be amazing. Once again if you want this you probably have bought the wrong product, and are in the wrong price bracket.

I like the cost, its amazing what it does for the money.

I like the sounds, now that I’ve got rid of the awful ones.

It looks pretty cool.

It’s a Marshall.

To make this amp useable, I basically had to do the following:

1. Delete all those terrible patches that are just filler and basically just give the user a bad experience. After doing this I was left with around 20 good sounding patches and 20 OK patches, the other 60 I replaced with a patch called “Blank” (which I have put up on this site). That way every patch sound good to me.
2. I turned the Mater volume up to ¼ (around 9 o’clock)  and went through the remaining patches adjusting the patch volume of each to make it a sensible volume for bedroom levels. This ranged from around 0.3 to 5 for most patches depending on the patch. This means that you have more control over the master volume and can change patches without is suddenly blowing you head off. There is still plent of volume in the amp after doing this. OK I admit if I want to use headphones I have to turn the master up around half way, but that’s no big deal. Likewise as I said I don’t use the USB for recording, but I assume I would have to turn up the volume for that too. I don’t see that as a problem either for a product in this price range.

Overall I like the amp and doing just these 2 thing make it much more of a pleasure to use. The volume level are more what they should be for a product of this type and I don’t ever hear any of the awful patches (there are plenty of good ones).

Maybe other people can share their first experiences or tips with the Code 25?

On my Android device Samsung Galaxy 8+, Software version G955USQU5DSDA.  The Gateway crashes whenever I attempt to import music.

On my iPad Pro  (9.7-inch), Software version 12.3.1,  The Gateway refuses to load music.

Any help, clarification, or a suggestion of a solution, (is there a particular program that works well to assist the import of music into this app on either platform)? 

I also have a PC running WIndows 10 Pro x64, with an i7 and 32GB of RAM, is there any work around involving any particular DAW that allows this?

1) Bought Code new, when released, USB port was loose and wont connect. Cant do Firmware or recording via USB. How to get service?

got at Guitar Center San Mateo Ca. When first released, hadn't ever really used USB, but realizzed it is messed up, like port is disconnected or broken. USB is wiggles and no connection. 

2) Cant get Gateway to Recognize tye Amp while BT stream audio okay. tried all steps from this site cleared phone and cache, removed and reinstalled, no diifference. Multiple versions of Android. 5 to 8.

Thanks,

James

Hello, I have acquired the CODE 25, really an excellent amplifier, very versatile and very good presets. My problem and please I hope you help me to resorve it, is that even though I can connect via Bluetooth, I can listen to my tracks ....... the big problem is that when I want to use the FX or presets it appears that there is no amplifier connected ... (either from my android phone or my Ipad I ... I do not understand what the problem is.) Secondly, when I want to install the MARSHALL FIRMWARE UPDATE UTILITY, to enter presets or update the ampli, does not recognize the connection.I request guidance to be able to make full use of such a beautiful tool for my music.I use Widows 10 and G. Chrome.For your attention, thank you very much

Hi, my Code 50 USB has stopped working, nothing wrong with the USB port because it still charges the phone - tried two cables, no luck.  So now I'm trying to figure out how to play songs through it via Bluetooth but *&^%%%%### no luck - how the hell do you do it? I've downloaded the Marshall Gateway app to my android but all i get is my phone icon and an arrow to the amp icon. DO I have to do something on the amp?

Hello using Android Tablett the Code25 wired with USB cable gives Info that IT IS not connected.

Also one question to my Gateway and my Marshall, are this two standalone Systems? how can my library from my Marshall be used in my Gateway. In my opinion all this ist a litte bit to confusing.

Thx.in advance

B.R.

Any plans to release a Windows desktop app for managing presets via USB connection? I'm not an Android or iPhone user. Editing via amp panel is ok, but somewhat tedious.