Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[bald-eagle]

Hi,
I'm currently evaluating the demo version of jamstix (before purchasing it) - I like the "jam" modes for creating a drum track for my music - I'm not a drummer so find programming drum machines manually a real pain! and most "rhythm generators"/beat boxes are too rigid/bland...

OK, here's my problem I have a couple of sequencer apps but can't figure out how to record the audio (or the midi) output from Jamstix in either.
I have Cubase LE (bundled with a Zoom A2.1u pedal) and Magix Music studio 2005 deluxe (I know, I know, don't all groan at once ) oh, I also have Cakewalk Professional 7 but haven't tried that as I figured it's too old to work with the VSTi

I have had slightly more success with the Magix Midi studio getting the Jamstix VSTi to generate a jam arrangement with my recorded guitar track, but can't get the outputted audio to record - all I get is the guitar track re-recorded.
I also tried to record the midi in Cubase - I set the input of Midi track to the Jamstix VSTi but no midi events were recorded on it (Jamstix is set to output midi).
So what am I doing wrong? How can I save the "jammed" rhythm track to replay it with my guitar track?

Thanks.

[Ralph [RZ]]

Unfortunately, many hosts are quite 'dumb' when it comes to recording the audio output of any VSTi. Usually, you have to 'bounce' or 'freeze'. In some hosts this also requires putting a dummy MIDI event in the Jamstix MIDI track at the start and/or end of the song to make the host 'freeze' or 'bounce' properly.

And then there are very smart hosts like REAPER that can directly record the VSTi output with no fuss...
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[beboop]

bald-eagle, not sure if this will help, but I'm using JS1 with Cubase VST 5.1r1. Using Export to MIDI, and then importing the resulting .mid file works fine for me.

Set the left and right locators to the range you want to generate a Jamstix track for, make sure midi output is enabled on the JS output page, let the sequence play through once, and then use Export To Midi.

Then, from the Cubase file menu, import the .mid you just saved.

there may be another way in LE, dunno -- but you can try this and see if it works.

[bald-eagle]

Thanks for the help.

I'd tried the "export midi" option (which only exports the first 4 bars in the demo version), but then couldn't get to "import" the midi back in ??? Every time I tried that, LE creates a new project...., and Magix refused to import the .mid - said there wasn't enough memory - weird!!

I think the midi record may have been working if it too only records the first 4 bars in the demo (I actually had it set to record from bar 5 onwards - so that'd explain that).

Ralph, thanks for the tips about Reaper - I've downloaded the shareware version and am trying that now, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "freeze" a track
I have noticed it seems to have sort of "integrated" itself into Cubase LE ... at least there's now loads of things in LE which refer to Reaper that I hadn't notice before....

Oh, BTW, I've ordered the JamStix Jamboree version this morning (using my "real" e-mail address, not the one I use for forums)... I really like the program.

Once again, thanks for your help

Chris

[beboop]

"Freeze" just means rendering an audio or VSTi track and whatever processing plug-ins to an audio track, usually to free up some cpu load. I'm pretty sure LE won't have an actual "freeze" option (don't think that's available before SX2).

But you can perform the same function, it just takes a few extra mouse clicks. Solo the track you want to freeze, set the left and right locators to the range you want to keep, export audio from the Cubase file menu, and, on the dialog box that comes up, check "import to audio track", name the file and save. Cubase will then save the file and load it as a new audio track.

That works in VST 5.1 and SE anyway, give it a shot.

[Chip]

I am very new to Jamstix, so don't know if this will help at all :-

I've got a feeling that Magix Music Studio can't handle multi-out VSTi's. I used to use MS7 and I seem to remember that this was an issue.

This may mean that you need to redirect/map all instruments to outputs 1 and 2 in Jamstix, so that you just have one stereo output. It may also mean that you can't use the outputs at all ? - helpful eh? )

Alternatively, try Reaper (www.cockos.com), which is free to try and only $39.95 to buy. This works fine with Jamstix - plenty of help in this forum for it.

Chip