Equivalent of Groove Agent 4 gradual build of complexity ...

[alexis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xxIHhQaa4M (specifically at 2:40-3:40)

Hi - In this vid, they show how to have a pattern build gradually in complexity over a few bars as it leads into a chorus (they automate a "Complexity Slider").

Is there a single kit-global automatable Jamstix 3 equivalent of that "complexity slider" that has the drummer build up over several bars to a chorus, for example? I've played with the Power Knob, and can see it does do this to some degree, though with a fairly high ratio of volume change to complexity change (by design, I've learned from other threads) ... is that the best way?


What would the Jamstix 3 approach be to doing that sort of thing?

Thanks -

[max.noise]

Hi alexis,
that's an interesting question. I just did a quick check. It is possible to automate the controls in Jamstix' brain, what you might know already. Now I thought it could work to add the simplifier and automate it, but that did not do the trick. In fact I have the impression that the simplifier doesn't change anything, but I think, I have to dig deeper.
One thing that works is automating brain elements that have a 'busy-control', but that are only a few (e.g. in the 8th Rock style) and it's not an elegant solution, but rather a work-around.
Maybe that helps a little.
Max

[alexis]

Duplicate post, sorry.

[alexis]

Hi alexis,
that's an interesting question. I just did a quick check. It is possible to automate the controls in Jamstix' brain, what you might know already.[b:a99bd464ac] Now I thought it could work to add the simplifier and automate it, but that did not do the trick. In fact I have the impression that the simplifier doesn't change anything, but I think, I have to dig deeper.[/b:a99bd464ac]
One thing that works is automating brain elements that have a 'busy-control', but that are only a few (e.g. in the 8th Rock style) and it's not an elegant solution, but rather a work-around.
Maybe that helps a little.
Max

Hi Max - thanks for answering!

I'm definitely finding the simplifier works on my system. For example, using Gospel - Power somethingorother style, and Aaron as a drummer, turning the Power Knob almost but not completely clockwise (up) - I found big differences between having the Simplify slider (extracted from Charlie) far left vs. far right. If you try those, does the Simplify slider still not seem to change anything?

I definitely would like to have that Simplify slider automated. As a matter of fact, I checked a few other drummer controls, and couldn't automate any of them (unlike the 1 or 2 Style controls I tried, and the Power Knob). Bummer!

I will check to see if one can "extract" an element from a style like we can from a drummer - if so, maybe that "busy-control" from 8th rock style will help - worth a look, thanks for the heads up!

[max.noise]

Hi Alexis,
you are right, the simplifier works. I tried the setting you described and there is a significant difference.
BUT it does not work when automated. I mapped the simplifier to a CC and automated it (did it in Live9) from 0% to 100% over 4 bars, but every bar was exactly the same.
It only works when I operate it by hand, in that case I see hits appearing and disappearing.
That's strange, isn't it?

[alexis]

Hi Alexis,
you are right, the simplifier works. I tried the setting you described and there is a significant difference.
BUT it does not work when automated. I mapped the simplifier to a CC and automated it (did it in Live9) from 0% to 100% over 4 bars, but every bar was exactly the same.
It only works when I operate it by hand, in that case I see hits appearing and disappearing.
That's strange, isn't it?

Well, I didn't even see anytHing like a CC open up with right click on simplifier, so I can't add anything, sorry!

[max.noise]

Well, I didn't even see anytHing like a CC open up with right click on simplifier, so I can't add anything, sorry!

Yes, that's a little tricky, I think I found that by accident, but you can right-click on any element where you get the list of controllers (it's only some of the elements, on others nothing pops up) and it is always the complete list, so you can go to 'simplifier amount' and map it to a CC.

[alexis]

Hi Alexis,
you are right, the simplifier works. I tried the setting you described and there is a significant difference.
BUT it does not work when automated. I mapped the simplifier to a CC and automated it (did it in Live9) from 0% to 100% over 4 bars, but every bar was exactly the same.
It only works when I operate it by hand, in that case I see hits appearing and disappearing.
That's strange, isn't it?

Hi max.noise, I had a chance to do some more work with it today. It looks like automation of Simplifier worked for me. Here's what I did to find out:

1) I recorded a nice long bit drums into JS, a whole verse to a song, with the Simplifier automated to 0%. I used 8th Rock and John, there might have been some brain items changed here and there but not many.

2) Then I copied that project to a new one ("Save as" in Cubase). Then, I told the drummer to re-recorded the verse in Jamstix a 2nd time (making sure the first run was recorded over), this time with Simplifier automated to 100%.

I then toggled back and forth between the two projects, and the drummer was definitely playing more complicated as recorded in the 2nd project where Simplifier was at 0%.

It was a lot easier to hear this with everything but the drums muted, and with no fills going on.

The difference between the two was not gigantic (it wasn't like Animal vs. Charlie on valium), but it was definitely there. Maybe the 4 bars you tested wasn't long enough to hear the difference?

[max.noise]

Hi alexis,
sorry for replying late, but being quite busy lately.
I tried a 32 bar groove with 8th rock and John. Recorded two versions, with the simplifier at 0% and at 100%.
There is extremely little difference. In the main groove none at all. Here and there in a fill there is a hit less, but that's not what I would expect as a difference between 0% and 100%.
Very strange.

[alexis]

Hi alexis,
sorry for replying late, but being quite busy lately.
I tried a 32 bar groove with 8th rock and John. Recorded two versions, with the simplifier at 0% and at 100%.
There is extremely little difference. In the main groove none at all. Here and there in a fill there is a hit less, but that's not what I would expect as a difference between 0% and 100%.
Very strange.

Hi max.noise -

Interesting! I'll try and post some Soundcloud differences this weekend, I'd be interested in knowing whether the differences you hear are different than those.

Anyone else?