Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[notringo]

I have set up templates for JS2 and SD2 and it seems to be working pretty good using both in Samplitude 10 Pro. I still have allot to learn in SD2, but I'm starting to come along.

I have a question regarding mapping keys.
For some instruments (in this case a crash mute) it requires I believe A#2 in Superior. I've looked through the selection in Jamstix and can't find A#2 (big kit loaded). I tried using an unused key map in Superior, but it goes back to A#2.

So can anyone suggest a work around for something like this?

Thanks for any tips,

Paul

[Mark Blair]

I'm planning on using Jamstix to drive SD2, also. But -- to be honest -- I'm not even sure that Jamstix outputs a crash mute (at least without manually coding one in Jamstix, which I've never tried). I was just planning on inputting a crash mute manually in my DAW whenever I needed it.

I'm dabbling with a Yamaha DTXpress IV Special e-drum kit right now, and it doesn't output mutes through its MIDI out port (strange, since it can produce mutes with its audio output), so that's when I decided I'd just need to code the mute manually on a separate MIDI track in my DAW (Sonar).

[notringo]

Hey thanks for the reply Mark! I don't know how I did it, but somehow the crash mute is working (it's even coming through the Samplitude mixer).
I basically just played around with the mic arrangements and outputs of SD2 so they were lining up in Samplitude, and low and behold there is the mute coming through on a separate channel (x-drum)! I've never used the mute in Jamstix by itself, so I don't know if it's even there. But it looks like it's coming through on I think (not home now) G2 key.
It sounds great!
When you say code the mute manually, do you mean bring in an audio mute hit? I'm still almost a virgin when it comes to midi.

[Mark Blair]

I probably misunderstood your original question -- I guess I asumed you were looking for a way to get Jamstix itself to output a cymbal mute to SD2.

In any case, by manually inputting the mute, I mean that (in Sonar) I can have not only Jamstix drive SD2 (via JS2's MIDI output), but I can simultaneously have another MIDI track drive SD2, too. And I can put ANYTHING on the second MIDI track (which also outputs to SD2). So I can manually add a mute (for instance) by placing that MIDI note wherever I want to trigger a mute in SD2.

Again, I'm not sub-hosting SD2 at this time (I guess this is my initial "proof of concept" testing period) -- I'm using JS2's MIDI output (plus my second MIDI track) to drive Superior Drummer.

But I'm still working to "tweak" my drumming workflow since I've purchased SD2 and my Yamaha DTXpress IV Special e-drum kit just 6 weeks ago.

I'll use JS2, the e-drum kit (mostly just for special fills), and occasional additional "manual" MIDI inputs (on that secondary MIDI track) to simultaneously drive SD2.

And as I mentioned in my recent post here about becoming a much better "virtual" drummer, I think learning a bit more about how a real drummer works can be beneficial -- at least for me.

[notringo]

Thanks Mark!
Using an edrum for fills would probably be the only thing I could do. Keeping a steady beat and time is not a strong suit of mine. If I was younger, I may be willing to put in the time. Time is precious now, but perhaps someday I'll learn some piano, then I could take more advantage of midi.

[Mark Blair]

I'm not exactly a spring chicken, either! But I agree that Jamstix does a better job of keeping a steady beat. As I've mentioned in my other recent post, http://studydrums.com has a good strategy to kick-start someone on drums, and they have some really good info on doing fills, too.

Also, I can confirm that learning to play keyboards, using one to kick out a MIDI track, and then using that MIDI track to drive a virtual keyboard plugin can produce some surprisingly good results.

If you can tolerate the off-the-wall plot on my http://iWorkforaJerk.com website, ALL of the keyboard tracks were produced with a very inexpensive keyboard that kicks out MIDI, recorded to a Sonar MIDI track, and then used to drive an appropriate keyboard-type plugin.

By the way, I do EVERYTHING I can "in the box". So even the guitar was recorded direct and that track was used to drive the Native Instruments Guitar Rig plugin.

[notringo]

I haven't been around for awhile, but I just went your website. Quite the imagination you have; the songs are very well done, remind me a bit of early Pink Floyd/Yes. My recording/mixing skills are not in your league, but here is a link to mine if interested:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=52404

I've been wondering about trying to record electric guitar direct into software plugins. I'd like to get away from using pedals and an amp and the noise that comes with it (not only to neighbours, but noise that ends up being recorded).

[Ralph [RZ]]

Here is more info on customizing choke keys:

http://rayzoon2.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3579&highlight=bfd
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[notringo]

Hey Ralph,

[Mark Blair]

notringo -

Checked-out your songs -- and I was particularly impressed with "This Is No Place For A Child". So don't under-estimate your capabilities!

And I've been especially pleased using Native Instruments Guitar Rig for all of my electric guitar sounds. But I have this obsession with doing as much as possible "in the box". I guess I really like the flexibility.

And I see you're in Canada! Quite a contrast from our weather down here in Florida.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

By the way, you commented previously on wanting to someday learn to play the piano. I guess I could be dreaming, but I could swear that I heard some keyboard sounds on a few of your tracks -- am I wrong?

Also, did you use a bass guitar on any of your tracks? I was listening to them with my killer Sennheiser HD600 headphones, and I still couldn't detect much bass overall. That was surprising to me since a lot of home recordists tend to end up with far too much bass...

Mark Blair

[notringo]

Hey Mark,
Thanks for listening and the encouraging comment!

I think what your thinking is a keyboard is actually a Strat with Delay (in a couple of the songs..."when the angels carry you home" being one of them). Unfortunetly it doesn't come out sounding like one
I have a yamaha p85 keyboard, but still haven't gotten around to learning anything yet.

Your right about the Bass. I use the top 4 strings of my acoustic guitar for the bass lines. Someday, I hope to own a real bass.

Thanks again,

Paul

[Angelina_Apr]

I also have a small question unrelated to the topic. There is some cool stuff in the beta tweaks that doesnt look like it should break the game - is there any real danger installing these, or does the beta status just mean that no one has played through the entire game with them yet?

[Ralph [RZ]]

Are we talking Jamstix 2 Beta or 3 Beta?
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com