Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[eagle1]

So ... Ok...

I pretty much suck at creating drum tracks. In fact, I suck at creating full-blown songs.
I usually just use my recording interface to record "ideas" and what-not
using Cubase SX3. I don't even use a metronome so you can imagine how sloppy my ideas sound. Anyway, I bought EZ Drummer not so long ago (maybe 2 weeks ago). I was surprised at the ease of use and the quality. I mean, it really worked as they advertised it... I just drag and drop into a midi track and presto.... but still, that means that I have to select every midi groove and fill and drag it into the midi track on Cubase which can be time-consuming and if you don't really have an ear for drums then you are still left with a POS idea...

So this is why this product intrigued me.
I was wondering if this product is as easy to use as EZ Drummer.
Do I just execute the VSTi and press a button and it will "Jam" with my playing?

Another question, when you say the product "jams" with you by using your audio-in, that means that if I already have a recorded track the program wont "jam" with that already recorded track (i.e. so the guitar track will have to be re-recorded in order for the program to play properly)?

Another question, since I have EZ Drummer, I've been reading that you are making it compatible with it? So the cool sounds of EZ Drummer will play through Jamstix or will Jamstix will keep using its own sound?

I know there are a lot of questions but when I spend $$$ I need to be sure!

BTW, if you want to listen to some of my ideas, you can just go to:

http://www.soundclick.com/gelocks

Final question, does this program fit with the way I strum or play?

Thanks.

[Doc]

Hi and welcome to the board!

First of all, Jamstix always follows the tempo of the host.
If your pre- recorded tracks follow a certain tempo (e.g. when they were recorded using a metronome) Jamstix will jam to those tracks just fine.

Why don´t you just try out the demo and see for yourself?

According to your second question: Jamstix can host EZ drummer so you can make full use of EZ drummer´s sound and Jamstix brain at the same time.

[Ralph [RZ]]

Jamstix is NOT as easy to use as EZDrummer and here is why:

EZDrummer is a beautiful drum sound player with a bank of MIDI patterns. That's it. All you do is drag the patterns and select the sounds. There is no further functionality and thus EZDrummer is easy to use.

However, if you want to modify patterns, have the drums react to the dynamics of your song, have new, unique patterns created etc. then you need Jamstix and with that flexibility comes a learning curve. It's always a tradeoff with any software:

The less flexibility and functionality, the easier to learn and use.
The more flexibility and functionality, the harder to use and learn.

Now, some people take to Jamstix like a duck to the water and others don't. That's why you need to test-drive the demo thoroughly. We'll be here to assist with any issues or question.

Within the next few weeks, we will release a new Jamstix demo that comes with EZDrummer mappings. If you need them sooner, let me know and I'll mail them to you.

Also, Jamstix 2, which will be released within the next few months, will make the workflow simpler by offering you part-centric song structures and a wizard to quickly get a song going, including verse/chorus/bridge structure with automatic fills and style/drummer model selection including preferred kit choices.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[eagle1]

Zauni and Doc, thanks for the welcome and the replies.

I just tested out EZ Drummer yesterday to get a feel for it.
It's really simple to use but something akin to Jamstix is always welcomed.
I usually use simple software because I don't have much time to record or come up with good compositions. But Jamstix sounds like a great idea.

Zauni, you mention that Jamstix is not as easy to use as EZD. How steep is the learning curve? Do I need to select every sound like you would do on a Drum Machine type thingie like the LM that comes in Cubase (or the SR-202 or whatever drum pads)?

Jamstix 2 sounds like it would be more up my alley.

BTW, this is what I created yesterday with EZD.
The song is in Spanish (and I don't have a Translation VST! -- yep it's a joke! ) but you can get an idea. Also, it's kind of sloppy because like I mentioned, I'm not used to play with a metronome.

http://gelocks.topcities.com/Music/Desperte_2nd.mp3

Thanks.
Hopefully I'll be able to do business with you in the future

[Ralph [RZ]]

[eagle1]

Yep.
I would have to try it.
I have 56k at home so that's a no-go.
Have to wait to go to my apt. and my neighbors PC!! hehehehe

Did you listen to what I posted?
Do you think Jamstix can produce a more natural progression?

You'll probably see me more often here once I start to play with your software.

BTW, does the software (demo) comes with a Step by Step guide
or something similar?

Thanks.

[Ralph [RZ]]

[Spencer]

Ray's slogan is "just play with it". This slogan is the most useful piece of documentation available. It's just going to take hours to get it. Nobody can melt that away for ya. Fortunately, you love music. So "Just playin' with it" will be a blast for ya.

Listening to your sounds, I can tell you have a big revelation coming, if you can manage to hang in there long enough to discover it.

Keep trying new ways until you find a workflow that "works for you", then you'll be hooked for life. You've got all the major pieces already. Looks like all that remains are baby steps.

For instance, one babystep that'll help is to acquire the ability to record to a clicktrack or metronome.

Please take this on faith though. Jamstix is way beyond anything else ever devised for computer-drum accompaniment. There is literally no valid comparison to be drawn with software like EZDrummer.

I could take up so much time and space explaining why I believe that, but in the end, the only way you'll REALLY ever know is to "just play with it".

[Augie]

All I can say is that I did extensive research, had no budget limitations, and JS came out as by far the most usable and flexible drum program for doing original songs in Cubase. Not only is it possible to generate great tracks (or, in my ideas, great groove ides which I export and hone in the Cubase drum editor), but once exported you can turn around, mute the brain and find a kit in JS that really accentuates your music. Also, you could also take the JS generated track and then point it to any number of other products for your final recording.

I just picked up a Sampletank Acoustic Drums expansion pack on esoundz for $39 to augment the JS sounds, and am waiting for JS2 to see the additional kit sounds that Ralph makes available. So - I have the Jamboree bundle, a few extra multi-sampled acoustic kits, and my all-in cost is STILL well under $200 with none of the resource hogging tendencies of some of the "big name" drum programs. Admittedly, BFD, DFH, Battery etc. can be great, but if you can do with a bit less tweakability and complexity in your samples (as I can), JS packs a mighty wallop.

What we have here is a relatively "under the radar" package that offers everything a relatively resourceful home recordist (maybe even a pro) could want. Having one's cake and eating it too comes to mind

[eagle1]

Thanks for all your inputs guys.
I've been working a lot and had forgotten about this.
Unfortunately I still haven't tried the demo product (in the middle of moving, just bought a house, etc. etc.) but I'm really going to start bothering you guys soon!!

Thanks again.