Jamstix

Virtual band members are now a regular feature in SOS reviews, but how about a virtual drummer that actually will jam with you? Rayzoon claim Jamstix is able to do just that…..

Pretty soon, SOS readers are going to have to carry out extensive auditions if they want to assemble a virtual band. The most recent candidate for the electronic drumstool is Jamstix from Rayzoon, which approaches the virtual drummer idea from an interesting angle, the unique feature being its ability to jam ‘live’ with either a MIDI or audio input, responding to what you play in the same way that a human drummer might. Rayzoon have (thankfully) failed to replicate some of the other behaviours normally associated with real drummers — but just how good is a Jamstix jam session?

Jamstix is available for on-line purchase directly from the Rayzoon web site and although it has been tested with a wide variety of hosts including Cubase SX, Sonar, Ableton Live and Tracktion, Rayzoon advise potential purchasers to download the demo version prior to purchase. This has a number of limitations compared to the full version, such as random audio dropouts, but does allow for compatibility testing within a user’s own system. You will need a broadband connection, as Jamstix is a large download. Installation proved straightforward on my test system, and Rayzoon supply a licence key via email once a purchase has been completed. Within a couple of minutes, I was up and running with Jamstix within Cubase SX.

Jamstix includes a high-quality set of drum samples, featuring up to nine velocity layers and both close (mono) and ambient (stereo) mics that can be blended to taste. The range of drum kit styles is not extensive, perhaps suiting pop, rock and funk genres best. However, Jamstix provides a variety of ways to route its playing to alternative drum modules such as Steinberg’s Groove Agent, Toontrack’s DFH or FXpansion’s BFD to trigger a different set of sounds. Jamstix also includes a large collection of drum patterns, intro, fills and endings to suit a range of styles. These do perhaps not cover such a wide musical territory as those found in Groove Agent but, as we’ll see, a key feature of Jamstix is its ability to introduce a range of variations to those patterns much like a real drummer would do.

Aside from the ability to jam, other features include a ‘limb priority control’ algorithm that means Jamstix will only attempt to play a combination of drums that is physically possible for a real drummer and an Arrangement screen that allows patterns to be sequenced on a bar-by-bar basis in much the same way as audio or MIDI loops might be within a sequencer application.

This free version comes with 8 drummer models, 21 style models, 200 acoustic drum samples. and mapped MIDI output. You can create grooves within the plugin which in turn can make your drum sounds natural.

This plugin allows it to be used in multi-output modes and also plug each drum into its own track which can help you control how each sound comes out