Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[Nic_T]

People of Jamstix, hello. Newcomer here trying to decide what drumsoftware to buy.

When I make song-sketches my grooves (guitar and/or piano) often contain not-so-standard rhythms and I sometimes want the drummer to accentuate and compliment those rhythms. Is it possible in Jamstix to start with a clean slate, tell the program where you want special accentuation, and then have jamstix jam around that with whatever style you've chosen?

If yes, is it a quick process, in your opinion? I like to work rather quickly so as not to loose steam.

I've also been looking a bit at EZDrummer, but although the 8000 midi patterns are enticing, it's still a drag (sorry) to try out hundreds of patterns till you find the right ones that fit your groove.

Thank you,
Nic.

[rcraig42]

Yes you can, it is pretty easy, watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFGPQBs5ujY&feature=PlayList&p=9A039F80414CB772&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=10 for an idea of how quick it is. Though that video is version 2, it works pretty much the same in version 3.

Basically you click the loop button to audition the groove as you place the events, once it is to your liking you save the groove, then load the right sort of style, add the groove element, disable the parts that would conflict.... usually the kick and snare like in the example... and tweak the others to your liking.

It is more difficult if the groove is longer than one bar, but in that case you can loop your host for the 2+ bars you need, unfortunately you can't edit while it's playing in that case.

[rcraig42]

And just for reference, and the fact that I just figured it out... rather than going back and forth between the host and jamstix to audition and edit, you can just leave the host running in the loop and use the lock/unlock button in the jamstix transport controls to start and stop jamstix.

[Nic_T]

Thank you, that looks to be just what I need. I assume you can do the same with just cymbals, and then have Jamstix fill in the blanks?

Nic.

[rcraig42]

yep whatever you want to use as the "set" part, and jamstix will indeed fill in the rest.

There can be issues where it won't play some of the set parts because something else either has a higher priority or the virtual drummer's hands aren't fast enough to get to it. But you can set the priority of your groove parts higher and/or set the limb speeds faster or do away with the limb calculations entirely.

[rcraig42]

Another way to get the drummer to accentuate particular beat ticks is to use groove weights and styles that are heavily influenced by them. That gets more advanced and you really have to have the program to delve into it.