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heyjohn · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:31 pm Post subject: MIDI guitar, anyone?

Jamstix does a nice job with audio input, but I'm intrigued by the idea of feeding it MIDI input -- and I'm not a very good keyboard player.

So, has anyone tried it with a MIDI guitar? There's plenty of interesting gear out there, from Roland GR-20's + pickup, to guitars from Brian Moore, Godin, Switch, and probably others (with appropriate interface required).

I hope to give it a whirl with my Yamaha WX-5 wind controller this weekend, haven't had time thus far.

It'd certainly be fun to hear what everyone else is doing with non-keyboard MIDI input and Jamstix...

siriusbliss · Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:54 am Post subject:

I have a Brian Moore with GR-33 and Axon Ax-100, and will be testing out MIDI and/or audio triggering of Jamstix this weekend.

I'll keep you posted on the results.

Greg

dach · Junior Jammer Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 18

please keep us posted. I have one of the GK2a's and GI10 but tracking is poor on the lower strings. I can't imagine any midi guitar setup being very useful for drums and perc but who knows.....

GregHolmes · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject:

I've also tried using pitch-to-MIDI VST plugins on the guitar, and then fed the MIDI to Jamstix. It seemed to be a step up from audio-jamming, even if the pitch-to-MIDI conversion was not always accurate. Something to try out anyway. Along with this, I use a MIDI variable foot controller to bias the velocity. Quite effective.
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RichLum · Jamologist Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 142 Location: Sydney

I don't do much "jamming" with JS as I mainly use it for arranging but I have a GR-1 and might try jaming with the midi out from that...

dach- in regards to the tracking problems I find that heavier gauge strings (12-56) help my setup track better.

I think the heavier guage means that the strings have to be tighter and less "floppy" and track better. Not just on the lower strings but on all strings.

The other thing that helped with the tracking for me was screwing the GK2 pickup with the springs under it into the pick guard instead of using the double sided tape to attached it. This allows me to get hte pickup a lot closer to the strings than I was able to with the tape and it doesn't move.

HTH,
Rich

heyjohn · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:57 pm Post subject:

I hooked up my Yamaha WX5 wind controller, and Alesis S4+ with windsynth patches from Patchman; and gave Jamstix a whirl.

Jamstix did indeed seem to jam more cleverly when listening to the MIDI input than the audio input, at least as far as I could tell. Especially if I was playing a repetitive line (e.g., bass) multiple times, but with slightly different volumes.

So now I'm really curious as to how it would react to MIDI guitar. For now, though, I think my next experiment will be to try biasing the jam with a MIDI pedal. I already have one of those, so there's not a shopping expedition and pile of money involved in the effort Smile

siriusbliss · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 12:27 am Post subject:

Yeah, there's an idea. Play audio/MIDI and switch between audio/MIDI triggering and see how Jamstix responds. Setup parallel tracks and compare the difference.

Hmmmmm....

Greg

yarzo · Junior Jammer Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 8

I use midi guitar all the time, I have a Godin LGX-SA guitar with a built-in midi pickup and a Roland GI-10. This setup works great for me Very Happy

I run the midi signal from the Godin to GI-10 to Jamstix, I mute the input. I run a standard guitar cable from the Godin to my amp. I find the tracking is quite good, as I'm not triggering any sounds, the occasional rogue note does not affect the rhythm in Jamsitx. If I had the $$$ I would get an Axon AX100, I hear those are superb...but my kids need diapers & formula, so I'll stick with the GI-10 for the time being Wink

The midi notes from the guitar are analyzed by jamstix but are not actually triggering any sounds. I only hear the sound of the Seymour Duncan's through my amp and the rhythm generated by Jamstix.

There are several advantages to MIDI Jam over audio Jam, as noted by Ralph Z. in another post:
"What MIDI jam allows is linking specific rhythm slots in Jamstix to specific MIDI markers (chords) so that repeating those chords triggers the same rhythm slots. Furthermore, certain MIDI play styles (i.e. multiple staccato hits) can trigger instant play-along effects in MIDI jam."
http://rayzoon.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1161

siriusbliss....Let us know how you make out with the AX100 and your setup?

See ya,
yarzo

siriusbliss · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:52 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the Axon is awesome. I splurged for a used one just before Terratec announed that they were buying Axon and releasing Axon II which is just as good.

I currently use the Axon as my dedicated MIDI triggering box for my VST/softsynth/Jamstix/ROMplers, etc. and leave the GR-33 for more live-performance oriented situations. THe sequencer-based drum-looping and triggering in the Roland are fun, but only serve as an alternative to the more 'alorhythmic' approach of Jamstix.

I'm going to try out yarzo's approach as soon as I find some time. I'm getting psyched!

Greg

gtrjazz · Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

I have a LGX-SA as well and am looking into the same setup, recording guitar midi into cubase sx, and use jamstix. I am getting a vox tonelab se, can I just use the midi outs on it or do I have to run the unit into a seperate midi convertor like a roland.

If so any recommendations on a midi convertor. For more bucks if I get a midi synth will it do the same thing?

yarzo · Junior Jammer Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 8