confusing JS tutos : request for a synthetic/simple diagram

[shemp_]

I agree that it is frustrating to discover that the product on one hand seems to be THE answer to many musicains requests for an intelligent drummer while, on the other hand it looks like the NASA shuttle flight deck to be operated.

I thought this too when I started but now that I'm more familiar with it, I don't see how to simplify the control without sacrificing capability.

Now I've only been using JS for about a month so I haven't used a lot of the drummers/styles yet but so far, the one thing that I personally think should change is the default fill and accent settings (hits and probability sliders). I think they are to aggressive. When I start composing, the first thing I think is "what the heck is this drummer doing? Then I turn everything "down" so there are less fills and accents, then start turning them up once the groove is down. But that's just my opinion.

Anyone else feel this way (other than don_don)?

Yes, a quick start tutorial would be nice. There are some videos on the Rayzoon site though that I thought were useful. Maybe when JS is first installed, the not yet written quick start could pop up automatically and a link to the video tutorials on the interface would help??? I don't know, just throwing stuff out there.

[Sheppol_A]

I've found it's best to start with and use,"Charlie" as the drummer as he keeps the beats and groove simple.I can then add more by adjusting the snare and tom controls in the fills.
I usually start by loading the basic rock groove and work on that.It's easy after that to change things

HTH

[BoxOfSnoo]

I don't understand why everyone thinks it's complicated? Follow Ralph's 5 step procedure above and you have natural drumming.

So you want to get a little deeper? Fine, cancel the quickstart, choose a style and a drummer and then press play. (The song style/drummer dropdown is a little hard to find of course). Is that really complicated?

This much should keep you interested while you read the manual

[don_don]

I followed Ralph 5 steps instructions and it works.......
...... but it is not satisfactory for me since the result (the drum section) is not correct. The part played by JS is cahotic/erratic and i cannot manage to have a nice and correct part.
To be more precise i have a permanent bass note (piano note) that is played by JS; that is perhaps the origin of my problem.
(if my memory is right i read something like dealing with that some time ago onto the forum but i cannot find it).
Any suggestion welcomed,
Thanks

[BoxOfSnoo]

There's something wrong with your setup. There is nothing that PLAYS a piano note unless:

1) you have another VSTi on the same track
2) you are sending the MIDI to the Windows MIDI player.

To check #2, go into Preferences, Audio - MIDI Devices and make sure Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth is disabled.

[don_don]

Thank you to all all of you for your constructive and instructive informations.
However, although I got something working, I am not satisfied with the result.
The drum section played by JS is not synch with the song that is played and overcrowed with a lot of erractic drum beats.

I have installed on REAPER track_1 a song (mp3) and on track_2 JS demo.
What I want to get is just (as a starter) a simple rhythm (just a minimalist beat) in synch with the song played on the other track.

That’s my goal. Can somebody help me ?
1000 thanks,

[Ralph @ Rayzoon]

First off, Jamstix is always in synch with REAPER so it is important what tempo and time signature REAPER is set to. If you are using a pre-made audio track, you must set REAPER to match that tracks timing.

[Sheppol_A]

First off, Jamstix is always in synch with REAPER so it is important what tempo and time signature REAPER is set to. If you are using a pre-made audio track, you must set REAPER to match that tracks timing.

What Ray said.Try and find the tempo of the mp3.People don't usually use weird numbers so 100/110/120 etc.

[BoxOfSnoo]

It sounds like you want to detect the drums in a MP3 file and have Jamstix play along with that; or extract/replace a drum track from an existing tune. Jamstix doesn't do that. Jamstix is more for composition.

If you want to fake it, try this:

First, figure out the tempo of the MP3 manually. I suggest you tap to the beat on the "BPM" label in the transport bar in Reaper as the tune is playing. This will get you close.

Then figure out the time signature of the song and change the Reaper project settings to this.

Next, set up the Jamstix drummer and style to approximate what you're hearing. This is a trial-and-error approach.

Finally, you will probably want to set up the "parts" of the song to match chorus/verse/intro/outro etc. This is probably the most complicated part.

Yes, this may be confusing, but it's basically using Jamstix to do something outside of its main purpose. It won't be perfect, and there are better tools to do this, but it might surprise you with something cool sounding that you didn't expect.

[don_don]

HI, thanks again for your replies ….

However, the more I go, the less I understand how it works.

I understood from Ralph “I am assuming your music file has no drums (otherwise you won't need JS as outlined above). You can now use the project from the steps above and add another track with your music file. After that, adjust the parts in JS to match the content and style of your music file by adjusting parts length/repetition and style/drummer selection”.

Now, BoxOfSnoo says « It sounds like you want to detect the drums in a MP3 file and have Jamstix play along with that; or extract/replace a drum track from an existing tune. Jamstix doesn't do that “.

Those 2 statements are contradictory !

So, once again, my initial request for a simple functional diagram with what can be done with JS.

I am convinced that JS is what I have been waiting for such a long time but I want to verify it on my own,

Thanks again !