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Compyfox
Jam Meister
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
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 Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject: JS2 Feature requests and questions - for JS2.0.20 maybe? |
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I was just (finally if I may add) toying around with Jamstix 2. Despite the fact that it crashed Cubase SX3 once, it's great, just as JS1 was. I really like what's possible "now", though that's a bit limiting for me on some ends, as the drumbrains definitely go haywire. But hey, it's still the best VSTi of it's kind. My 2 hour messings (after I read the manual and was fooling around with sounddesign) sound fairly decent and could fool "real drummers" indeed.
Anyway... I got some feature requests for the next update and a couple of questions, which I'd love to get an answer (maybe even in German, so that it's easier - but I don't wanna be the party pooper for my fellow colluegues).
 Request 1 - Easier Editing Possibilities:
And by that I mean... Keypress + Mouseclick in the pattern editor. I had it a couple of times that I just wanted to delete a certain part and then I had to click on it, window pops up, then I had to move over to the delete button and bam... window closes as it's overlay only. A key-mouse combination would be definitely cool here and IMO much needed for selfprogramming beats.
Request 2 - Easier Editing Possibilities 2, marking:
Marking hits for global volume change, propability and/or changing the tightness. Now this would be a cool feature and saves me the hassle of changing each individual hit by hand, if I want to change a couple of hits (may it be a close part, or chosen hits in the beat).
Request 3 - Larger Text or adjustable screen:
It's really a pain in the butt, even on my 15" (don't laugh!) 1024x768 Dual Screen Setup. Sometimes I just see jack on the screen due to the small logos and text. Imagine how'd that be if you have a higher resolution with the already small GUI text. It'd just be a bit easier on the eyes. Like the new brown though. Very cool.
Request 4 - Ghost strokes are still a tad loud with all brains except JS Classic/Silent:
Ayup. Setup to 2% and they're still too powerfull (IMO). Not to mention that they're not like the ghost notes in JS1, they're more random (course they are, if I use certain modes) and well... just don't sound that good (IMO). Maybe there can be something enhanced? More "playing possibilities" in terms of strokes maybe? Not only funcy, straight, etc, maybe even add an extra "add brushing" feature for "silent brain". But that's just me.
Request 5 - Dropdown Windows for Kit Manager:
Well all good and fine - I right click on (let's say) a Snare, and then the window pops up to change Volume, Panning, the sound, etc. The thing is... the two arrows that's scrolling through the "groups" is a bit meh if you ask me. I want to change the Kick and a percussion really quick without closing that window, I have to press and wait till the arrows respond. Very nice would be if I could click on the name of the group (i.e. Kick & Snare) and then have a dropdown menue where I can access all other groups (i.e. Percussion) at once. All under the hood.
Request 6 - Only minor, but a Button to the Pattern Manager:
I know that if you click on Kit twice that you'll be back at the pattern manager, but sometimes I'm like "WTF, where did my pattern go" and I just lack a quick button. It's just for easier handling, but I'd really prefer an extra button for that.
Request 7 - JS1 Feature in JS2:
Never mind, figured that one out. Though I really, really, really(!!!) miss the optiions to use the ride, sidesticks, crashes and chocked crashes. All of that was possible with JS1 - why not in the "Classic Brain" in JS2? Furthermore the hats are only triggered with the right hand, same with the kick, which makes it a bit troublesome if you want to create "tripplets", flares and the like with the hats/snare, though as written in the info for JS2, you're still working on that one, right?
Then on to the Q's.
Let's take a look at my brain:
Uhm... actually that of the drummers. So let's say I handcoded my own beats (I'm a drummer, I know what's possible, but you'll never now) and then want to use a "brain" as support in case that something's wrong or want some further twist.
Of course I don't wanna loose what I programmed, so I lock the part (didn't find a feature to lock all notes at once rather than the part, so that the brain could still add some stuff). But then if I do adjustments in terms of "feel" - nothing happens, only if I "unlock" the parts again. Did I do something wrong? And how can I pull off more quiet drumplay or sidestick if I (let's say) change the master dynamic fader (if it's even that one) if I handprogrammed my own beats?
Installing my drumpacks to a different HDD:
Well... I knew it was possible with JS1, but how can I do this in JS2? If I install a pack from the JXsomething file, it simply throws everything into one big folder on the same HDD where Jamstix is installed. Cool, but I really want it on my samples HDD (this is what I hate on RealGuitar/Strat, too - cramps that darn HDD). Is there any way to "change" that?
Well yeah... Overall I'm happy with JS2. It's simpler on some ends, and more harder on the other. Maybe I just needed the simple features from JS1 after all.
Anyway... keep up the good work, Ralph. Looking forward to the next update, the Metal Pack and maybe some more pics from the drummers (so that I know of who's who, except for... er... Animal... maybe).
PS:
That old "I refuse to play samples on beat one if you used processing or heavy programming" bug still exists with JS2, too. With my demo further up, I had to add an empty pattern with one beat, cause JS2 started all from "the very first beat", even though I told Cubase to go one into the negative.
Last edited by Compyfox on Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:56 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Compyfox
Jam Meister
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for the bump, but I edited some text, added more requests and changed some questions. Thanks in advance.  |
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bosone
Jamologist
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 125
Location: parma, italy
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:58 am Post subject: |
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i also have very minor suggesion:
move the two arrow for moving throught the beats (next beat, previous beat) beside the beat icon at the bottom... it would be more logical to search for a transport command beside the transport bar itself! 
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Ralph [RZ]
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:43 am Post subject: Re: JS2 Feature requests and questions - for JS2.0.20 maybe? |
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| Compyfox wrote: |
And by that I mean... Keypress + Mouseclick in the pattern editor. I had it a couple of times that I just wanted to delete a certain part and then I had to click on it, window pops up, then I had to move over to the delete button and bam... window closes as it's overlay only. A key-mouse combination would be definitely cool here and IMO much needed for selfprogramming beats.
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Keys are difficult for plugins since different hosts intercept different keys and complicate things. However, an easy way to delete items in the bar editor is dragging an empty cell on them.
| Quote: |
Request 2 - Easier Editing Possibilities 2, marking:
Marking hits for global volume change, propability and/or changing the tightness. Now this would be a cool feature and saves me the hassle of changing each individual hit by hand, if I want to change a couple of hits (may it be a close part, or chosen hits in the beat).
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It's on the list.
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It's really a pain in the butt, even on my 15" (don't laugh!) 1024x768 Dual Screen Setup. Sometimes I just see jack on the screen due to the small logos and text. Imagine how'd that be if you have a higher resolution with the already small GUI text. It'd just be a bit easier on the eyes. Like the new brown though. Very cool.
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It's on the list.
| Quote: |
Request 5 - Dropdown Windows for Kit Manager:
Well all good and fine - I right click on (let's say) a Snare, and then the window pops up to change Volume, Panning, the sound, etc. The thing is... the two arrows that's scrolling through the "groups" is a bit meh if you ask me. I want to change the Kick and a percussion really quick without closing that window, I have to press and wait till the arrows respond. Very nice would be if I could click on the name of the group (i.e. Kick & Snare) and then have a dropdown menue where I can access all other groups (i.e. Percussion) at once. All under the hood.
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Something like that is on the list.
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optiions to use the ride, sidesticks, crashes and chocked crashes. All of that was possible with JS1 - why not in the "Classic Brain" in JS2?
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Ride, sidestick and crashes are dealt with by the drummer model ('Autostick','Power Hand','Cymbals')
| Quote: |
Uhm... actually that of the drummers. So let's say I handcoded my own beats (I'm a drummer, I know what's possible, but you'll never now) and then want to use a "brain" as support in case that something's wrong or want some further twist.
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Save your hand-coded groove via 'Save' in the bar editor menu. Now select the 'Import' style for then part and set the 'Groove' in the brain to 'JS2 Groove' and load your saved groove file. You now have your own groove being processed by the drummer model for timing and feel.
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Well... I knew it was possible with JS1, but how can I do this in JS2? If I install a pack from the JXsomething file, it simply throws everything into one big folder on the same HDD where Jamstix is installed. Cool, but I really want it on my samples HDD (this is what I hate on RealGuitar/Strat, too - cramps that darn HDD). Is there any way to "change" that?
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Move the 'data' folder of Jamstix 2 where you want it.
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Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com |
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Compyfox
Jam Meister
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: JS2 Feature requests and questions - for JS2.0.20 maybe? |
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Hi Ralph, thanks for answering.
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: |
Keys are difficult for plugins since different hosts intercept different keys and complicate things. However, an easy way to delete items in the bar editor is dragging an empty cell on them. |
Well, what about combinations of shift+ or alt+? Contr+left/right mouseclick is working already. In terms of Cubase, as long as you're not in the arrangement window, you can use that combination in the VSTi subwindows. Shortkeys is a different issue for sure.
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: |
| Quote: |
optiions to use the ride, sidesticks, crashes and chocked crashes. All of that was possible with JS1 - why not in the "Classic Brain" in JS2?
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Ride, sidestick and crashes are dealt with by the drummer model ('Autostick','Power Hand','Cymbals') |
Er... yeah with the "drummer models", but not with the JS1 model, and/or Silent Drummer. I could "create" my hat/crash patterns with JS1, but not in JS2 unless I use a drummer with "propability" settings. Sorry to say that, but that's not really flexible. And that "power hand" feature only plays "hats" harder and softer for me, but not rides at all.
Can you please Inlcude that one again? Also the "add ghost brushes" feature among the accents? The old JS1 users would love you for that.
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: | | Save your hand-coded groove via 'Save' in the bar editor menu. Now select the 'Import' style for then part and set the 'Groove' in the brain to 'JS2 Groove' and load your saved groove file. You now have your own groove being processed by the drummer model for timing and feel. |
Actually, can't that go any simpler? One thing would for example be "lock notes" rather than the "lock pattern" in the dropdown menue (as additional feature). This way we could change the drummer (brain), who's adding more stuff, but the old stuff remains - it's adding up, and the dummer brain acks as session drummer. No saving and reimporting needed - all in one box.
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: |
Move the 'data' folder of Jamstix 2 where you want it. |
But then what? Don't I need to direct it to somewhere? In StyusRMX I need to throw a link to the folder - unless JS2 asks after the first start where I put the folder "now".
Again, thanks for helping. |
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Ralph [RZ]
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Joined: 02 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: JS2 Feature requests and questions - for JS2.0.20 maybe? |
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| Compyfox wrote: |
Er... yeah with the "drummer models", but not with the JS1 model, and/or Silent Drummer. I could "create" my hat/crash patterns with JS1, but not in JS2 unless I use a drummer with "propability" settings. Sorry to say that, but that's not really flexible. And that "power hand" feature only plays "hats" harder and softer for me, but not rides at all.
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If you want the JS1 functions then use the 'James Stix' drummer model which is modeling just that. "Power Hand" let's you choose whether you want ride, open hats etc. and the threshold level. Are we misunderstanding each other? To me it's right there on the screen.
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Also the "add ghost brushes" feature among the accents? The old JS1 users would love you for that.
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Can you elaborate on that? Not sure what you mean? There are no snare brush accents in JS1.
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Actually, can't that go any simpler? One thing would for example be "lock notes" rather than the "lock pattern" in the dropdown menue (as additional feature). This way we could change the drummer (brain), who's adding more stuff, but the old stuff remains - it's adding up, and the dummer brain acks as session drummer. No saving and reimporting needed - all in one box.
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Use 'Locking Events' in the bar menu to lock all events of a bar.
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But then what? Don't I need to direct it to somewhere? In StyusRMX I need to throw a link to the folder - unless JS2 asks after the first start where I put the folder "now".
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It will ask you.
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Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
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Compyfox
Jam Meister
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 59
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: JS2 Feature requests and questions - for JS2.0.20 maybe? |
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| Ralph [RZ] wrote: |
If you want the JS1 functions then use the 'James Stix' drummer model which is modeling just that. "Power Hand" let's you choose whether you want ride, open hats etc. and the threshold level. Are we misunderstanding each other? To me it's right there on the screen. |
Well it is, if I actually used "James Stix" as Drummer brain, and not Silent (what I prefer at the moment) or Phil, Steve or anyone else.
I later versions of JS1 however, that could all be used in the Ryhtm arranger (unfortunately don't have a snapshot from the last released JS1 here, but there you could even throw in crashes and create a ride pattern). This all doesn't exist anymore with the "Samstix Classic" style. To actually use the more advanced features of JS2 but still have the old features of JS1, you have to use JS Classic as Style, and James Stix as Drummer. Then again, you can't use anybody else, and every drummer has different modes and doesn't switch in terms of power play either (which seems to be now defined by the power play tweaking knob at the play controls).
It's all a bit tricky you see. I'd really prefer to have control over all that, like it is possible with the Snare and Kick (Heavy/Synco - Neutral/Synco), but for Hats/Rides/Toms. Of course this'd be meh for other beatforms, true. But I'd have total control rather than "propability settings" to let the brain decide "do I throw that stab now in there or not... nah".
This is where JS1 was good at. It played what I told him to - a bit too static mayhaps, but it did. Sorry to be so picky about JS2, Ralph. Maybe I just misunderstood the concept here. Doesn't mean that it's bad though - hell it's awesome. But on some sections, for me as drummer, JS1 still wins.
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: |
| Quote: |
Also the "add ghost brushes" feature among the accents? The old JS1 users would love you for that.
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Can you elaborate on that? Not sure what you mean? There are no snare brush accents in JS1. |
Not in JS1, true, but in JS2. It was with either Phil or Steve. Dunno anymore, but after I loaded that brain as drummer, I suddenly had a "brushes" function among "Accents", that I could then use with propability dials (ah heck let me call it "random play" dial, as it really does that). With JamesStix it's the Throw in's, and I guess the "bounce" feature in terms of snares adds the "brush" sound here and then *headscratch*. Then again, I'd love to have it as "add" feature. I can only add Snare Ghosts, Shaker, Tambourine, and Cowbell. But what if we want to create our own drummer? (oh yeah that'd be a cool feature... "save settings as new drummer" if we can build one with "custom modules", etc)
| Ralph [RZ] wrote: | | Use 'Locking Events' in the bar menu to lock all events of a bar. |
*dingdingdingding* AAAAAH! Wonderful... had to look for it, but it's the dropdown in the Core Bar. Cool, now I can code my stuff and abuse any drummer I want for "additional" stuff, and maybe then load another drummer (or just silent mode) later for final play.
Hm... looks like the manual also only scratches on the surface of JS2. Thanks for helping in that section, Ralph. |
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