Understanding how+when Jamstix composes/changes grooves

[Sir_Plus]

[b:432732595d]First[/b:432732595d]: Jamstix is super cool, powerful, & unique. I've been dreaming of something like this for a long time!
But I have some confusion (I have reviewed the manual a few times) and I'll try to be succinct...
I'm starting with complete rock songs, played along a repeating, static loop, later to be replaced with
something similar, but more elaborate. So I'm I'm trying to do is:
1. Import a midi pattern that I like (got that part down O.K)
2. [u:432732595d]Initially have it play exactly the same way for every repetition, through the whole song[/u:432732595d] (just a starting point)
3. Mess with individual bars later, [i:432732595d]each one [u:432732595d]not[/u:432732595d] affecting any of the others[/i:432732595d].
3.5 Later, further tweak by replacing some verses with other parts (Chorus, Bridge...etc)

I am paying attention to "Core Bars", & the "Full", "Auto" and "Bar" buttons. Also I use the Locking buttons. Still, it's hard to control
when and how Jamstix recomposes stuff.

Let me split this up, with suggestions in next post...

[Sir_Plus]

Despite locking [b:e048c28b13]core[/b:e048c28b13] parts and bars, Jamstix changes[i:e048c28b13] repetitions[/i:e048c28b13] of Core Bars. There does seem to be confusion
about how this works (I'm certainly confused, anyway). So, some ideas:

1. Include an option to have repetitions of a bar remain unchanged [i:e048c28b13]by default[/i:e048c28b13], and changes/recompostions
of each part apply only to that part- [i:e048c28b13]by default.[/i:e048c28b13] In other words, give the user the ability to work bar by bar,
without worrying about [i:e048c28b13]anything[/i:e048c28b13] else getting changed. (Maybe it's supposed to be able to work this way to
begin with...sorry if I'm just not getting how to make it work!)

[u:e048c28b13]2. On another note:[/u:e048c28b13] Jamstix synchs with host...[i:e048c28b13]following[/i:e048c28b13] it (works perfectly). But it would be great if Jamstix
could have the host DAW go to whatever bar the user selects within Jamstix. Makes sense?
Right now, if one picks a part, say, in the middle of a song to edit and preview, it is not connected
to the playback start point of the DAW. Being able to have Jamstix have the DAW to set its playback
point to whatever bar is being edited would be a super feature!

[Sir_Plus]

"Work-around" employed so far: Copy the "prototype" part. Create a new part,
and paste the prototype part onto it. Edit to taste, and then be sure to LOCK it right away.
This may be a bit ham-handed, but it's working.
Maybe there's a better way?

[Azimuth (Archive)]

Are you linking your song parts? Locking has no effect on Linked song parts. If Part 1 is linked to Part 2, ANY changes to Part 1 (Parent) will mirrored in Part 2 (child) automatically. If your parts are linked, double click the song part in the Song Sheet and choose Unlinked in the Linked To drop down.

2. On another note: Jamstix synchs with host.

VST communication is a one way street. The DAW can tell Jamstix what to do but it can't work the other way around. What DAW are you using? If it's Reaper I've got a script that will allow you to go to any bar you want in your project.

[Sir_Plus]

Are you linking your song parts? Locking has no effect on Linked song parts. If Part 1 is linked to Part 2, ANY changes to Part 1 (Parent) will mirrored in Part 2 (child) automatically. If your parts are linked, double click the song part in the Song Sheet and choose Unlinked in the Linked To drop down.

2. On another note: Jamstix synchs with host.

VST communication is a one way street. The DAW can tell Jamstix what to do but it can't work the other way around. What DAW are you using? If it's Reaper I've got a script that will allow you to go to any bar you want in your project.

Thanks! I am getting the linking thing. What I mean is, if you make a [i:60b286a18f]single[/i:60b286a18f] groove with several repetitions, the repetitions are all different than the first 2 bars.
Easy to deal with, though. I just create a groove with only 1 repetition, and just copy and paste as needed (while taking your advice here, too).
Also, I figured out that you can copy several parts, and paste them all in a sequence...all in one go.

Also, thanks for the offer for the script! I happen to use Studio One, but I'm getting better pretty quick at navigating, and using shortcut keys to
jump around the timeline.

Aaaand also: So VST's are a one way street- So Jamstix can't make a DAW loop. Too bad. Oh well. Still, maybe Jamstix could still loop a range in the its internal preview area.

Thanks again! Your help is 100% appreciated!

[Azimuth (Archive)]

What I mean is, if you make a single groove with several repetitions, the repetitions are all different than the first 2 bars.

I don't quite understand what you mean but if you've found a way to make it work, that's all that matters.

Have you tried saving your initial Groove as a style and then loading that saved style for your new part?

No thanks needed for the help. Glad to do it and enjoy doing so.

EDIT: You actually could use the Liveloops function to loop a whole song part.

[Grem_Songs]

What I mean is, if you make a single groove with several repetitions, the repetitions are all different than the first 2 bars.

I don't quite understand what you mean but if you've found a way to make it work, that's all that matters.

Is he referring to the fact that as Jamstix plays , it does what a drummer does and varies each part each time it's played? And not like a machine and play it perfectly the same way, every single measure?

[Sir_Plus]

What I mean is: I import a midi pattern, which is 2 bars long. If I pick 2 repetitions for the part, (so, 4 bars total now)-
the 1st two bars play like the original pattern, but the brain changes the next 2 bars.

So now I just leave the length at 1 repetition, starting off with the part locked- and duplicate it a bunch of times, working
on the song bar by bar (which is how I like to work anyway). I just re-lock stuff when I'm happy with it. *I also make sure the parts are unlinked, as described before.

[Grem_Songs]

but the brain changes the next 2 bars.

That's what I was saying. The brain changes it due to that's what a regular experienced drummer would do. IOW, Jamstix is working as expected! : )

Personally, that's what I love about Jamstix. It really is like a real drummer sitting in on the creative process. And that get's my juices flowing!

[Azimuth (Archive)]

If you are importing a 2 bar midi file, choose Bar dropdown>Save Groove as Style. Save the 2 bars as an new style in User Styles after you modify it how you want it and then load that style when using the Song Builder and that 2 bar groove will cover the entire song you build. I think that would be easier and faster than your current method.

But as I said, whatever works for you is all that matters.