Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[mikeon_b4c]

Hi. I've been using Manda Power Drum as a low cost kit but want to move on to something more powerful but not as expensive as Addictive Drums or Superior Drummer. Everyone seems to suggest EZDrummer but then I came across Jamstix, which seems to use a different approach. I want to be able to create MIDI tracks in my DAW (Reaper 6) using Jamstix but which I can then edit the notes in the MIDI if I need to. Also, I have existing projects with MIDI drum tracks and I might like to use those in Jamstix. I've just been playing with the Free version and trying to understand how I output a song I've created (the manual isn't very clear). I can't seem to save the song in the Free version, and I can't seem to export the song as a MIDI file. I can't see how else you get Midi notes in a Jamstix song into a Reaper tracktrack, and I can't find any guidance on how you do any of that. So I've no idea of what I might be able to do using Jamstix and therefore whether I would be safe buying it (and I don't want to buy it and find I can't do the things I need to do).

Also, in the copyright notice when you install, it seems to be saying you can only use the product on one PC at a time. But I keep projects on the Cloud, my customised Reaper on a USB stick, and this allows me to work across more than one PC/laptop (generally I only use 2 PCs). All my other plugins allow at least 2 PCs to be in use at the same time. Can you confirm how (or if) I will be able to use Jamstix across at least 2 PCs.

Finally, and given the issues above, can anyone reading this suggest a compelling reason why I would be better buying Jamstix than (for example) EZDrummer.

Thank you very much and hoping you can advise

Mike

[Azimuth]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum. The free version of Jamstix does not allow midi export but you can record the midi output from Jamstix in Reaper. In Jamstix, make sure that you have "Enable MIDI Output" under Options enabled. You can then edit it just like any other midi item in Reaper. The Save function is also limited in the free version but as I pointed out, you can record Jamstix midi output into your Reaper project and save it in Reaper.
As far as the license agreement, my understanding is that as long as you are using Jamstix on only one computer AT A TIME, you are good to go. I have never seen Rayzoon indicate otherwise.
One compelling reason, in my opinion, is that no other virtual drum instrument does what Jamstix can do. It will generate a much more convincing drum track faster and easier than any other method I have come across. Granted, the learning curve is directly proportional to how complex the music you are creating is in my opinion, but 100% worth the effort.

[mikeon_b4c]

[Azimuth]

By all means Mike, if I can answer your questions I'll gladly do so. This video was done for Jamstix 3 but the process is basically the same: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrcn2d4PPe4

[mikeon_b4c]

[mikeon_b4c]

[Azimuth]

I liked Bev Bevan's work with ELO prior to their "disco" phase. I heard he used to double track his drums. Anyway, the key to getting in the ball park with Jamstix I find is choosing the correct Player model and Style. After playing with Jamstix for a good bit of time you'll start to favor some Players over the rest. It's kind of like having your own stable of studio drummers and being able to pick and choose who you think would be right for the track. Kind of like a poor man's Steely Dan.

[mikeon_b4c]

[Azimuth]

The quality of Jamstix' samples always seems to be a love/hate thing among users. Personally, I have always found them to be perfectly usable, even more so with the improved Mixer in Jamstix 4. The composition aspect of a Drum performance has always been the main focus of Jamstix. It is extremely unlikely you will ever have a sample library recorded at some world-renowned studio, ala Toontrack, included with Jamstix. Actually, I personally feel that at Jamstix' price point, the sample library is outstanding. Listen to the audio samples on the main site and decide for yourself.

https://www.rayzoon.com/#audiodemos

https://www.rayzoon.com/jamstix_expansions.html

[mikeon_b4c]

[Azimuth]

Don't be intimidated by the prospect of a learning curve. If you are doing fairly straight ahead music it won't be very steep in my opinion once you get a grasp on the basics. There are really helpful people here in the forum who have developed their own methods and workflows that are willing to share them, myself included. You will encounter things that raise questions while developing your own workflow with Jamstix and odds are it will be something that we've all had to figure out solutions for. I think you'll find this to be one of the friendliest forums on the net.

[mikeon_b4c]

Hi a_zimuth

Finally found a bit of time to follow up on the advice about how to import MIDI into Jamstix. The menu system in v4 is different from v3 but after selecting a drum kit I saw 'Song' in pulldown box that then showed 'Load Style' and which then if I highlighted '@ Special Styles' option gave me this screen.

[url]https://1drv.ms/u/s!AuSxllqxLvLvmo0EuJn2x0jg_8xOXA?e=QSFmbs[/url]


Trouble was when I chose 'Load' nothing happened. I wonder if it is disabled in the free demo version. Sad conclusion is though that if that is the case I just won't be able to demo the product so will not buy.

Listening to the Jamstix demo tracks though on their website left me feeling that although it might do a great job at doing AI drumming, what it was doing is not what I would play myself and that I might find it easier, with my budget, just to use something Like EZDrummer, choose a groove that approximates to the feel I'm after, then get to work hand crafting the part. Most of the songs I'm doing do not require overly extravagant drums parts and a lot of the reason I want to try a new VSTi is to see if I can be better 'mic'd studio' drum sounds.

I would love to see how Jamstix handles one of my legacy MIDI drum tracks though so if its not a limitation for the free demo that's stopping me importing and you are able to guide me right, I would be grateful as I like the idea of Jamstix if it can do what I need.

And thanks as always for being willing to give advice (I did read somewhere, great praise for the Jamstix forum - in contrast, I dread EZDrummer sucking me into having to buy loads of add on a packs that I can't afford, in order to get sounds I want!)

Mike
P.S> can't seem to get URL link to work but copy and paste into browser should do it!

[Azimuth]

In the Build window, click the "Clear" button under the "Your Song Structure" panel. Type "V" to add a single verse song part to the YSS panel. To the right, under Drum Style, click where it says by default "Basic Rock" to open the Styles library. Navigate to the "@Special Styles" category, select "Import" from the "Styles" menu, then click the "Load Style" button. Choose a Drummer (I'd recommend "Machine" since you're importing MIDI) then click "Create Song".
Now In the "Groove" window, there should be a Brain element titled "Groove". Click where it says "<click to load>" and use the "Add Folder" button to add the folder where your MIDI files are located. Find the file you want to use then click the "Import" button. You should break your midi files into sections that correspond to the different Song Parts then import them individually.

[mikeon_b4c]

[mikeon_b4c]