Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[rdolmat]

OK...

I bought JS 2 the second it was released and I'm confused as hell. Is JS2 an UPGRADE to JS1, or a completely new program?

I tried using it once, spent about 2 hours trying to make my own groove, and just gave up. I'm using JS1 still (instead).

How can I SIMPLY make my own grooves and arrange them in a simple song with fills (something that takes me 5 min in JS1).

I've given up on JS2 because you need a programming diploma to operate it!



please help. I tried watching the basic groove tute on the RAyzoon youtube site and it was frickin WAY TOO FAST and SO MANY MOUSE-CLICKS for such a simple job...

[shush]

You are in good company. I have read the manual and already made about 10 songs with JS2 and STILL have yet to grasp some of it. I am also running into many inconsistencies which is probably me and my attention disorder...


Anyhow, i have to say the workflow can use some fine tunings but until then, hope these tips help out a bit.... Yes JS2 is a whole new beast....

1. Read the manual once all the way through

2. Start out with a basic song that you could careless about. A throw away. Just do something basic where theres a verse/chorus/verse/chorus/ending and that's it. Now add JS2 drumming to this basic structure so you can get a feel for it. DO NOT USE ANY DEMO SONG WITHIN JAMSTIX!!! Create your own so you know what it is like to start from scratch with your own creation.

3. I'll use "Jam with MIDI" for my example. First things first.., as soon as JS2 loads, hit ESC key to close the song list window and start from scratch. Now select, "Jam with MIDI" on the top.

4. Assuming you have installed the paks, click on the KIT button and load a kit.

5. Next, on the left panel where all the parts of the song are created, you will notice one part already there. Click directly below the word "drummer" and pick a drummer (you will see a description of each when clicking on their name).

6. Now click under the word "style" and pick a style.

Click play on your host and oila.

Now you can edit each "bar" within a "part" to your liking HOWEVER.........

...and i really mean what i am about to say....RTFM!!!!!!

Unless you really understand what are the main differences between a "part" and a "bar" and how a "Core bar" affects all bars within a part, you will be pulling hairs.

Also of note is the "Brain" which alters how JS2 plays back the parts/bars (the brain is that whole section directly above the drum editor).
The brain affects the whole PART you have selected as opposed to just each BAR (even though a BAR is being displayed in the editor). Remember this.

If you want to affect only one bar as opposed to the whole part, you need to click on the BAR button directly above the trash can icon. BUT........and this is NOT specified in the manual, regardless if you press that BAR button or not, if you make any changes within a Core Bar, it will affect all other bars within that part.


Ok, so now that i have probably confused you...

7. If you look at the very top of the Brain, you will see 3 buttons labeled Groove, Accent and Fills. To add a fill to a bar, go to the bar you want to add the fill, now click on the fill button on the top of the brain, lastly click the COMPOSE button right above the BAR button (it's labeled COMP).
You will notice the bar turns red. This is to show that it is a "fill" bar. To customize the fill, make sure that the fill key is selected and just turn all the knobs in the brain to experiment with different types of fills.
BUT REMEMBER>>>>>>>>if you have more than one bar set as "fill bars" within a part, any changes you make to one fill will affect ALL fill bars within that part. To avoid this, once again, make sure that BAR button is on.

This will all make a little more sense once you read the manual. Now to get a feel for JS2, well.....that will take some time. As i stated, I have done about ten songs and it feels like work.

[shush]

WHoops...double post

[Ralph [RZ]]

Rdolmat, try using the 'Jamstix Classic' style. It will give you basic kick/snare and hihat options that are somewhat similar to the Jamstix 1 rhythm tab.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[rdolmat]

Wow! Thanks so much guys...

that's a lot of typing and VERY appreciated!!

I'm printing this thread out and getting my learning cap on!!

cheers!

[rdolmat]

Where do I find "Jamztix Classic" style?

[Ralph [RZ]]

In the style dialog (click on style name in song sheet). It is near the top.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com