Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[21_tones]

I'm using Tracktion 2. I've read the manual for Jamsitx, and looked at the forum, but have the following queries.
1. I'd like to put Jamstix into various songs I've already completed and replace the drum parts I've programmed. How do I get Jamstix to 'read' all the midi parts (played through VSTs) and audio parts in each song? I need it to do this as my songs have dynamics where instruments will drop out in various parts of the song. I want Jamstix to 'understand' these dynamics.
2. How do I find the Audio M8 plugin to put on audio tracks? I know I have the dll but don't know how to access the plugin to put on tracks within my sequencer. Can I put numerous audio M8 instances to cover numerous audio tracks?
3. I know how to tell Jamstix to read time signature changes at different points in a song but does Jamstix automatically deal with tempo changes at different parts of the song by reading from the host? HOw does Jamstix deal with ramped tempo changes? Would it read grooves, accents and fills during the ramped change?
4.I have the Linplug RMIV drum software which came with Tracktion 2. When I tried to get Jamstix to import midi grooves from RMIV it said it couldn't do it because that version of RMIV was specific to Tracktion 2.
Could I put the groove from RMIV directly into Tracktion and then get Jamstix to read it from Tracktion and embellish it?
5. Could I create a drum part in Jamstix, export it to Tracktion then use an RMIV kit to play it, rather than Jamstix, but not via sub-hosting RMIV within Jamstix, as it can't be done! I know that RMIV does not adhere strictly to GM drum mapping. How could I quickly and globally get RMIV to read the midi output from Jamstix and map the drums appropriately? I don't want to remap loads of drums by hand!
6. On some songs I would like to have the sound of a tambourine playing each time the hi-hat opens and closes with the foot pedal, as if it were on top of the hi-hat in reality. How do I link the tambourine to the hi-hat pedal?

I had some niggly operational problems when using the demo.
7. I couldn't drag and drop parts within the song sheet to different places, even when using CTRL. Was this a restriction of the demo?
8. One song had a 4 bar piano only intro. I wanted Jamstix not to play during the first 3 bars but put a fill through bar 4 then get into the verse.
How do I tell Jamstix to not play for certain bars without messing up its link to the song structure in the host?
9. For various reasons I start songs with Tracktion at bar 3. When I lined up Jamstix song structure with the Tracktion song start ( at bar 3) the Jamstix intro said bar 1. But as soon as Jamstix started playing the bar counter within Jamstix was reading bar 3 beat 2 on what was only the second beat of the song! Of course the rest of the song structure was out all the way through the song!
How do I overcome this synchronisation problem between the bars of the host and the bars in Jamstix?
Finally, I found that I couldn't double click on parts within the song structure to change the style or drummer. Was this a restriction of the demo?

Sorry this is so many questions! I've been really impressed by what Jamstix can potentially do but I need to know it will work in the way that I need it to, then I'm definitely buying it!

Thanks

[Ralph [RZ]]

[21_tones]

Ralph
thanks for your fast response. I see what people mean when they talk about excellent customer service here!
I have sorted some things out but still have queries.
1. You said "You could use audioM8 on a sub bus or put it on several key tracks. Alternatively, use JS2 in no input jam mode and use a host envelope on the 'Power Level' parameter to manually shape the dynamics used by JS2 as needed."

I have tried using the audioM8 on a few audio tracks but when I use jam with audio mode there is no indication that JS2 is receiving any signal from the audio tracks. I placed the audioM8 right at the start of the filter section for the relevant tracks ( I am using Tracktion).

I adjusted the input trim to maximum but the power setting would not move from minimum. It seemed to be 'stuck' in some way.
I also tried using midi jam but again got no indication of a signal going into JS2.

I'm not sure I understand what you said above about using a host envelope. Could you explain this please.

Am I right in thinking there is no way to feed in both midi and audio simultaneously as there is no combined audio/midi jam mode?

Given I use a mixture of midi and audio when recording I guess the only way around this is to render midi tracks to audio and then feed in the full arrangement minus drums via a stereo audio track into JS2 when it is set to jam with audio. However, I'd appreciate any easier ways to do this as the song has to be finished to be in this position.

2. For various reasons I start songs with Tracktion at bar 3. When I lined up Jamstix song structure with the Tracktion song start ( at bar 3) the Jamstix intro said bar 1. But as soon as Jamstix started playing the bar counter within Jamstix was reading bar 3 beat 2 on what was only the second beat of the song! Of course the rest of the song structure was out all the way through the song!
How do I overcome this synchronisation problem between the bars of the host and the bars in Jamstix?
[quote]
Are you using a bar offset or count-in in Tracktion or are you simply starting your song data at bar 3? There should be no synch issues at all.

I was simply starting the song playback at bar 3 within Tracktion, which is the first bar of the song. This still will not synch with JS2. When I have the four bar intro set in the song sheet, JS2 only plays 2 bars of it!
How do I get round this?

One reason I start songs at bar 3 in the sequencer layout is to allow a 2 bar count-in when recording parts. I need to be able to keep on doing this.



finally how do I get a drummer to only play a ride cymbal in the outro section of a song?

Thanks for your help.

[Ralph [RZ]]

[21_tones]

Ralph

[dirkpiano]

the main purpose of the "jam with audio/midi" function is to provide a LIVE musician with a virtual drummer that responds to the live musician's dynamics. The way it responds is by changing the powerlevel (= drummer's velocity) and eventually redirect some hits (snare -> rim, hihat -> ride).

However, once you're in a RECORDING situation (as you seem to be), I think this function is less important for you. Although it does a great job doing what it does, when you're recording you want full control yourself, you don't want to let this function decide at what point the snare should be replaced by rimshot, the hihat replaced by ride, etc. You'll want your own hands on the powerlevelknob.

Just try it in your demoversion, use jam with midi, play some keyboard and watch the powerlevel-knob react to your playing: on average it follows your playing, but this is not always desired in every passage of the music, and more important: the drummer can only react AFTER your change of dynamics.

What Ralph is trying to say is that you can assign a midi cc-controller to the powerlevel-knob, and then program the knob's movements in your host using automation on this midi controller. Then you're in control: the host sequencer records your own movements of the knob.

About the other dealbreaker (bars synchronisation): have you tried the options window, "Bar Offset" options?

[21_tones]

dirkpiano
thanks for your response. I'm sorted now on the beat offset and have also got audio jam working. but I can't get jam with midi to work.
I've followed the instructions in the manual but routing from a midi track to jamstix means I can't hear the other instrument, and jamstix doesn't register as receiving midi data.
I suspect this is a peculiarity of my sequencer Tracktion but I can't find any info on how to set it up.
Hopefully Ralph will be able to help.
The manual does say that certain drummers/styles can respond to midi jam input by e.g. playing staccato hits. That would be fantastic as I have some songs that are like that in a big way in the choruses.
Ralph which drummers/styles are these?
But I do need to get jam with midi working first!
I'm really impressed with Jamstix and will definitely be buying it but need to get enough money together for the XL version, and ideally the Bonzo pack, although I'm not interested in the metal pack that comes with the full package.
Thanks again for your help

[Ralph [RZ]]

IIRC, Tracktion requires you to use a rack to send MIDI data to several plugins at once.

All styles that have a 'Hits' element in the accent tab support the MIDI staccatos.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[21_tones]

Ralph - thanks
I've now got midi jam working by using a rack in TRacktion.
I've found that my other drum package, Linplug's RMIV won;t allow itself to be sub-hosted within Jamstix as it seems to be locked to TRacktion.
I saw on a thread somewhere in the forum that I could put RMIV behind Jamstix on a track in my sequencer and get JS2 to send its midi output only to RMIV to use RMIV drum sounds.
But I can't find the setting for midi output only. It doesn't seem to be in options or anywhere else!
Could you tell me where it is please
Thanks

[Ralph [RZ]]

"MIDI Out Only" is available in the JS2 mixer.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[21_tones]

Ralph - sorry to waste your time, I did find this after posting the query. I've tried feeding Jamstix midi output to RMIV both on a track in the sequencer and within a rack, but because the demo version outputs midi as kicks only it wasn't much use! Not to worry. Although I've only scratched the surface of what the amazing Jamstix can do, I've now got enough money together to buy the XL version and placed my order 5 minutes ago. I'll have to wait a bit longer for the Bonzo pack!
Thanks for creating such a fantastic package. I feel very confident that my songs will not sound like they've got a robot playing the drums in them once I've put Jamstix parts into them!

Best wishes
John

[Ralph [RZ]]

Your order just went out. Let us know if you need any further help driving getting RMIV with the full version of JS2.
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com