Jamstix Workflow

tatius_wolff · Post by **tatius_wolff** » Sun Jul 14, 2019 6:33 am

I'm looking for advice if I'm using Jamstix the best way I can. I'm primarily looking for JS4 to add a human element and some improv to my MIDI drum grooves.

I currently have my own basic to complex MIDI drum grooves.

For the moment, I'm using the BUILD function to layout my song in JS4 and I'm primarily using just the drummer selection (Silent style).

I noticed in the BUILD part, I can click on "MIDI Learn Mode" which seems to import my groove into JS4 from what I can tell. Is this even necessary? I've seen JS4 just add improv during MIDI JAM.

So the question is - am I using it right? Is there a better way to do this?

What other info do you need for me to better explain myself?

Azimuth (Archive) · Post by **Azimuth (Archive)** » Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:09 am

This is an older video from Jamstix 3 about importing midi but the concept is the same in Jamstix 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrcn2d4PPe4

tatius_wolff · Post by **tatius_wolff** » Sun Jul 14, 2019 9:42 am

a_zimuth wrote:This is an older video from Jamstix 3 about importing midi but the concept is the same in Jamstix 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrcn2d4PPe4

Thanks for that.

So I tried not having to convert all my MIDI grooves to files and manually import them, by using the MIDI Learn mode. What I noticed is it doesn't import the double kick very well. I switched the song part to 8/8 and Use 2nd Kick/Snare checked - but it still didn't record it exactly. Any idea why?

Post by **Ralph @ Rayzoon** » Sun Jul 14, 2019 10:33 am

The MIDI learn mode is designed to just get a basic groove idea into Jamstix via manual keyboard playing. If you have MIDI clips you'd like to use, I would definitely recommend using the 'Import' style.

Grem_Songs · Post by **Grem_Songs** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 1:18 pm

Ralph [RZ] wrote:If you have MIDI clips you'd like to use, I would definitely
recommend using the 'Import' style.

This is the way to go. Bring your midi clips in and then create a style from those clips, that way you have your own style the way you want it. Then just get some of the JS4 drummers to play it!! Each one will play it a little differently.

Build your song from it!! Create intro, verse, breaks, on and on!!

Yep, import your midi clips is the way to go. It's worth the effort.

tatius_wolff · Post by **tatius_wolff** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:55 am

For whatever reason - this isn't working the way I think it's supposed to be working.

I import a MIDI clip with my groove - but I see no notes on the grid in the Groove tab, and if I play it, it's empty/silent. I'm assuming that's NOT the way it's supposed to work?

Post by **Ralph @ Rayzoon** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 9:28 am

tatius_wolff wrote:I import a MIDI clip with my groove - but I see no notes on the grid in the Groove tab, and if I play it, it's empty/silent.

Can you email me the MIDI groove?

tatius_wolff · Post by **tatius_wolff** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 9:48 am

Sent - thanks in advance

Post by **Ralph @ Rayzoon** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 10:26 am

I get notes in the bar editor. This is what I do:

- set part length to 8 bars (since your MID file is 8 bars long)
- load 'Import' style into part
- click <click to load> in brain 'Groove' element and select the MID file

I don't think your MID file is in GM2 format, so make sure to select the right format when importing.

Lastly, shuffling is a Jamstix function so that it can switch between straight and shuffled as needed. As a result, imported MIDI files should not be shuffled themselves.

tatius_wolff · Post by **tatius_wolff** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:11 pm

I must have some corruption in my song/jamstix session. If I start a new DAW project, add Jamstix and import as you've suggested, it works.

I've tried clearing the song, but that made no difference. Will keep you posted.