Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[Jamod Allah]

Peace Everyone....

Quick question for the users here... I've been hearing these whispers about this Jamstix program on several forums... After all that I heard, I had to at least stop over and see what the noise was all about. Apparently you guys know what you are doing.... b

scenario :

I try not to use sampled loops, so I play my own midi drum tracks.... though they could be a little more livelier!!! I only need to add a fill in now and then, and i would like to possibly have underriding drum tracks to match the original I played ...

Here is my (2 part) question:

1.)Is anyone here using this Jamstix for HipHop... ( I did a search and found a 1/16th thread) but is there anyone here actually actively using it for this type of music.

I ask because even here, i believe that it was a moderator who made the remark, people say it is for pop and rock...?

I've never heard of anything (instrument especially) not being suited for hip hop, but I assume this is possible....

2.) Is this program not suited for me, and what I want to do..

Thanks ....
100 pesos to whoever understands that message anyway

Jamod

[Doc]

Hmm let me see...
Hiphop is a wide musical field.
I´d say Jamstix has no problems to cover it (though I´m no expert when it comes o Hiphop).
Why not download the Demo and see for yourself?
Go to freejam and put the sliders for "Funk" and "Complexity" way to the right >>> gives you the groove and the breakbeats.
You should get satisfactory results in no time.

[Jamod Allah]

Thanks Doc for the rapid response... My thinking parallels your thinking exactly.... I've listened to a few of the songs in the thread above and I think I will be able to use it... I'll really like you say just have to download the demo anyway...

As far as the demo is concerned :
I would download the demo right now.... but...... my studio computer is being upgraded right now..... Brand New Power supply died on me while building my new computer... Memory turned out to be faulty...Also I'll be upgrading to xp pro from win98, Cubase Sx3 from VST 5, meanwhile trying to tackle a new copy of Reason 3.0.... did I mention I bought a new BCF2000 also ... no but seriously... when I finally get everything back up and running with my existing hardware it may be a week or so (maybe more depending on my job and my sanity) before I get to that point...

I was just trying to get some sworn (HipHop) testimonials in before this weekend because I get paid.... and I know in the upcoming weeks I will get lost in the midst of the turmoil which I call my life.... and I will be broke from the "necessities" I've been buying all week.. I may just have to put it off for a minute.. and download the demo.......

thanks again...
going to see if you posted on that mp3 thread Doc

Jamod

[Ralph [RZ]]

Jamstix can be used for hip hop, it's just not geared towards it right out of the box. The reason is that many hip hop songs use loops with little variation and not necessarily regard human playability, both of which counter one of the main strengths of Jamstix: automatic variations and human playability.

However, take the Jamstix demo and download the FreePak as well and follow these steps:

- load Jamstix demo into host
- go to mapping tab, click Load and load 'Jamstix FreePak'
- go to the jam tab and click "Free jam'
- move funkiness to about 35% and complexity to 60%
- play the host and Jamstix will start to groove

You can now use compression, EQing etc. in the host to mold the sound to your liking.

If you like the results, please spend some time playing with the free jam controls to see the range of rhythms that Jamstix can do for you and how you can influence it.

Also, check out manual jam and load the key word 'hip hop' in the library, which only gives you 2 rhythms, but you can hand-edit them to achieve specific rhythms and still have Jamstix do the variations & humanizations.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[Jamod Allah]

The rumors prove to be true..

Thanks for the response... I like to try new things (and sounds), and I am definitely interested in your product...

So I will definitely give it a chance, and I will report back as soon as i get back up and running .. thanks again for the response..

Jamod

[gregjazz]

I use Jamstix a lot for funk/hiphop--the more acoustic genre of hiphop. It's a good place to use that piccolo snare (lots of rimshot snare hits, too)and a short, deep kick sound.

Here's a little tip for making some great grooves: layer the acoustic sounds in Jamstix with some electronic drums. Not playing the exact same beat, of course, but if you get 3 or 4 layers going you can get a great phat beat happening.

[Jamod Allah]

I think I'm sold fellas....

I havent had too much time to mess with this thing.... and I am sure that I do not use it as it was intended to be used.... but it looks like I can definitely use JamStix....

I've only done 2 sessions with it.... of course I only have the 4 bar count with the demo, so I may need to buy it to complete a track....
What I did was lay my tracks (drums and other tracks) then I loaded up Jamstix and did a few adjustments..

I must say that I think it will be the perfect drum accompaniment for my so called "sparse" drum tracks.... I love it so far...
I really need a chance to get into the guts of this thing, but I like it just fine.... now do I understand correctly that I can *at least* send the output to a midi file with this demo... or do I have to cough up off this 100.00 fee immediately Friday morning (payday)?


thanks again.....

[Ralph [RZ]]

[Jamod Allah]

Sorry,

I forgot to say Doc and GregJazz, I just revisited your comments and that seemed to be exactly what I did..... It definitely works well...

@Zauni...

I'm a vocalist, so I prefer to do as little as possible... I would love to just let the track play.... without exporting to midi... or trying to do anything manually at this point... I may write to this and by friday I should be fine... I didn't even bother to figure out how to send the jamstix midi outs to one of my modules or a vsti. It actually sounds pretty good with the little adjustments that I've already made...

I just got home, and gave this track a listen... I decided that I will definitely just go ahead and make the necessary adjusments to fit this purchase in this weekend...

Hopefully I can add a track to your posting of Jamstix artist....

Thanks again for all of the help.. and the great product...

Jamod Allah

[steve b]

My friend Imran was involved in a nasty car crash,and his into hip hop.I usually play guitar and use audio jam.As this is more word based,with one of those chorus hook lines a lovely voice sings, would the normal jam be best? As Jamstix 3 is so different to 2 how do I set the snare kick etc in ways of funk and complexity.Really not sure where to start on this.What drummer,style breakbeat maybe,I don't know what's best, please help.
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EMU 1820M user

[Ralph [RZ]]

Sorry to hear about Imran!
Normal jam will be best. Try the 'Freestyle' style with the 'Funky' preset and adjust the snare settings to your liking.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[steve b]

Thanks Ralph.
I tried it with breakbeat amen break,tight rope breakbeat drum kit,and Aaron with normal jam,and the results were encouraging.Man Jamstix is smart!!
I'll post if Imran likes it.
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EMU 1820M user