Jamstix Demo -- Wow!

[Zauni]

We have just released an update to the demo version that removes all audio reminders. Instead there is one beat of silence roughly every 40 to 47 beats on all outputs plus a VERY quiet "Jamstix" spoken at that time on output 1 only. That's so no one thinks Jamstix has audio drop-out problems.

This should alleviate much of the frustration.

The update also adds some features and fixes a few issues.

[d'versa]

thats quick, promising.
downloading the new build right now.

[_niko_]

Ah, good news, grabbing it now. Thanks for the fast reaction, Zauni

Niko

[gentleharp]

Much improved demo. Thanks for listening. This can only increase your already good customer service image. I predict good things for the future of jamstix.

[AndrewSimon]

Works great here in Tracktion with BFD.
Pretty amazing software.
I am a little lost with all the settings but hope to learn soon.

If I can master it to a degree that I can more or less make it do what I want consider it sold.


So in "Free Jam" with "Jam with Audio" why is it that if I adjust the "Velocity" it gets reset every 4 bars?

How do I turn on PowerPlay?
It doesn't seem to go on.

[Hewitt Huntwork]

some people here deserve less!

How can they deserve less when they're using a demo they're considering purchasing?

Sickle, you at me?!?! NO, no! I at you!

In all seriousness, I was way over tired writing that... What I meant is that if people checked out the jamstix forum, they'd see how every concern raised is dealt with very respectfully, and the dev takes all suggestions seriously. They have even planned to implement some customer suggestions before the release of 1.0. I guess I was trying to say that if people had even a glimpse of Rayzoon's service skills they might realize that a friendly suggestion, rather than huffy complaining, would get the results they were after.

Now, of course, my point is moot. Zauni has, within one day, addressed the complaints and everyone can see for themselves the speed and alacrity with which it was done.

So I'll shut up now.

[Zauni]

So in "Free Jam" with "Jam with Audio" why is it that if I adjust the "Velocity" it gets reset every 4 bars?

Do you have the new Jamstix version 0.99C? It fixes several Tracktion issues.

Also, does the velocity slider respond to your audio input? Does the red LED to the right of the 'Jam With Audio' switch light up when you play?

How do I turn on PowerPlay?

This is how it works: there is a velocity threshold which, if it is exceeded for a certain amount of time, triggers power play. The threshold can be adjusted in the control panel of the jam tab called Power Sensitivity.

This is what I recommend for some quick fun in free audio jam:

- trim your audio input with the knob to the right of the 'Jam With Audio' switch until the max velocity is only reached when you play real hard

- adjust the power sensitivity slider so that the yello power play LED comes on only when you play real loud

- raise the Min Velocity slider until Jamstix plays the quietest you want for your session

Jamstix should now follow you nicely through the jam. I like to play for a good while very quietly so Jamstix 'huddles' over the set and then I hit my bass hard at the end of a bar and start pounding a chorus. I just love the way Jamstix brings the kit up and jumps to the ride or semi hats...

Hope this helps!

[MickGael]

Hi Zauni,

I have to say that this is very close to just what I have been looking for, but there are a few things I'd like to mention. These may well be do to pilot error, or things discussed in the manual, but here goes:

1. For the love of god, where is the stop button? The minute I load demo, it starts running. Is this a limitation of the demo? The bar/measure meter just keeps running and running. This is making it far more difficult to set-up an arrangement. I REALLY want to see a start and stop button next to the back/forward buttons in the measure section.

2. How about the ability to set start and end points? This would make creating arrangements vastly easier when using chainer, etc. You could have a section loop. Currently, I set "end" at measure 9 but it keeps going. I may be doing something wrong, though...

3. Can shuffle be a slider and not a button. Currently, it seems to be all or nothing.

4. The ability to copy and paste objects in arrangement screen would be a fantastic usability boon. Would be far easier to copy and paste a fill or end that have to recreate it. Again, I just may be missing something.

5. Ability to load your own VST compressor in place of internal compressor would be great.

6. Any way to see the intro, fill and end buttons and menus from the arrangement screen? The ability to do that would be an enormous usability boost.

Despite all these comments, make no mistake: I am very excited by this plugin! There are just a few things that I am having problems with.

[Zauni]

Hi MickGael,
thanks for your kind words. First, let me say that we will continue to refine the interface of Jamstix based on user feedback such as yours. Now let me address some of your comments in more detail:

Where is the stop button?

Jamstix syncs to your host so it is assumed that you would start and stop there. We will consider additional controls within Jamstix if we get lots of requests for it, though.

Can shuffle be a slider and not a button.

That's a sensitive subject for many
The thing is that many people have gotten used to shuffle and swing sliders in various programs but I have yet to meet a human drummer that thinks and plays like that. When a drummer shuffles, it means that he will play notes between quarters as if they were laid on a triplet grid. There's nothing in between. The only thing 'to slide' in terms of a human drummer is the pocket, that's the slight delay that some drummers put on the snare (mostly) to accentuate the groove, Jamstix does have extensive pocket controls.

It's just a different approach with different results, much more aligned with the thinking of most human drummers
[/quote]

copy and paste objects in arrangement screen would be a fantastic usability boon.

We agree. We will collect more user feedback on the arranger and then implement the most requested features.

Ability to load your own VST compressor in place of internal compressor would be great.

Just put the compressor of choice on the Jamstix outputs in your host.

Any way to see the intro, fill and end buttons and menus from the arrangement screen?

We see the point and we'll look into that.

Thanks for your suggestions and happy jamming!

PS: I just listened to some of your music and find it very stimulating! I especially like 'King' and 'Confessional'

[MickGael]

Where is the stop button?

Jamstix syncs to your host so it is assumed that you would start and stop there. We will consider additional controls within Jamstix if we get lots of requests for it, though.

Hi Zauni,
Boy that was fast! This kind of responsiveness is already earning you a reputation.

The reason it would be so valuable for me is that I could open up Jamstix in Chainer or MiniHost to write some arrangement, instead of CubaseSX 2 (which, though it is my main host, is not as fast as loading Jamstix in chainer).

The ability to set loop points would allow me to work much faster (as would the accompanying start and stop buttons).

Thanks for listening!

All the best,
DJSL

[Zauni]

The reason it would be so valuable for me is that I could open up Jamstix in Chainer or MiniHost to write some arrangement, instead of CubaseSX 2 (which, though it is my main host, is not as fast as loading Jamstix in chainer).

I see the point. I test Jamstix a lot with MiniHost and have the same issue. However, I'd rather see Toby put the start/stop button into MiniHost

The loop points are on the list but things are piling up fast around here with the responses to the demo and we'll have to make that release date first.

We will have free maintenance releases with improvements such as that.

[Zauni]

Taking the above idea one step further - what about a panel that allows you to mute or solo each drum type (including one for each tom)? If you then expose those parameters to automation, you've got a great quick way to insert a breakdown.

Just wanted to let you know that the next update will have the following enhancements:

- Separate Solo/Mute buttons on kick, snare, hihat and each individual tom

- all mute buttons can be MIDI automated

[munchkin]

Would it be possible to allow editing of each bar in the Arrangement Window by clicking on the bar? Or do we have to convert to midi in the host in order to edit the pattern?

Also, for internal VSTi drum synths that don't have a preset drop down (I'm thinking of NADS here) is it possible to have a preset drop down in the configure VSTi page?

[Zauni]

Would it be possible to allow editing of each bar in the Arrangement Window by clicking on the bar? Or do we have to convert to midi in the host in order to edit the pattern?

For now, you need to export to MIDI as you said because Jamstix 1.0 operates with 16 rhythms per arrangement.

Also, for internal VSTi drum synths that don't have a preset drop down (I'm thinking of NADS here) is it possible to have a preset drop down in the configure VSTi page?

You can click on the name of a rhythm in the arranger to load it in the rhythm tab. Also, when you load rhythms from the library, you can select multiple at once and they will stack into the preset list.

[munchkin]

You can click on the name of a rhythm in the arranger to load it in the rhythm tab. Also, when you load rhythms from the library, you can select multiple at once and they will stack into the preset list.

I mean a drop down menu for changing the preset kits of the VSTi loaded into Jamstix.