What is Jamstik +

image

So what is it? In fact, this is a guitar-like MIDI controller designed to work with Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, MacBook - OS requirements: iOS 8.12+, Mac OSX 10.10 Yosemite) using the Bluetooth LE wireless protocol.

MIDI is a fairly old and popular protocol supported by countless musical devices (including MIDI guitars). What is unusual about this gadget? First of all, orientation - Jamstik +, like its ancestor Jamstik, is focused primarily on the mass consumer - people taking the first steps in mastering the guitar, or just wanting to learn how to play. For professional musicians, this device is categorically not suitable.

Here it should be noted that a MIDI guitar is, generally speaking, a rather specific instrument that requires a performer to have good technique and special performance skills. However, in skillful hands it allows you to reveal your amazing capabilities. But unlike the “real” MIDI guitars (usually based on standard guitar models), Jamstik + has little to do with the guitar itself. For this is precisely the controller and the similarities with the guitar are only very approximate.

The first thing that catches your eye is the small size of the gadget. This, in my opinion, is a great advantage. Makes it lightweight, compact, easy to carry. It can be seen that instead of the standard guitar fretboard with 21 frets, we have a shortened fretboard with only 5 frets. Of course, this limits the performance of the instrument, but remember who it is oriented to. The first 5 frets allow you to take all the main guitar chords. If you need to take chords higher in the fretboard, there is a “capo mode” controlled by programmable buttons on the device itself, allowing you to shift the string of all strings synchronously down or up.

Generally speaking, the tuning for this instrument is a relative thing and can be easily changed in the program settings (there are a large number of presets - for example, a seven-string guitar tuning). The strings themselves on the gadget are not configured, their function is only to transmit the moment of pinching to the sensor - the beginning of the sound of the note and the force of the pinch - the volume of the sound.

The duration of a note is determined by software - a sample (sound sample) in the selected program. The pitch is determined by the position of the fingers on the fingerboard using infrared sensors hidden in the fingerboard itself under a transparent plastic overlay. This design made it possible to easily combine the guitar method of sound production with the MIDI protocol standards, but sharply limited the performance possibilities (such guitar techniques as a slide, flagollet, tapping are completely impossible here, and the bands are a string lift, a real punishment). However, let us recall once again who this is aimed at ...

A bit about the software part. Connecting to the gadget occurs through a program with the uncomplicated name Jamstik +, available for free download in the AppStore store, and performing the functions of connecting, managing gadget parameters (sensitivity, for example), and updating the firmware. The program contains a dozen popular samples - acoustic, classical, twelve-string guitar, banjo, piano, saxophone, string, sitar. Any application that can use the MIDI input works with Jamstik + without problems (for example, the Garage Band). For better compatibility, Jamstik + can be set to Single Channel mode for MIDI. This is required, for example, to work with the Sample Tank program from IK Multimedia. The only gripe with the Jamstik + program is the unified interface for both the iPad version and the iPhone version, making iPhone labels difficult to read due to the small screen size. In addition, the JamMix program is available for download - an application for creating mixes and jamming, as well as jam Tutor - a guitar training program with good functionality. Details of the operation of these programs are easy to find on YouTube.

Now a few words about the subjective impressions of this gadget. Best of all, he succeeds in playing the game with brute force samples, especially in short-time sounding samples (guitar, piano, harpsichord, etc.). The game of fighting is somewhat peculiar, in view of the fact that we are used to muffling strings with the thumb pad of a game when fighting. This is not possible here. We are accustomed to stop the sound of the string (muffled) with our right hand, here it is done either by the large Mute button located behind the strings, or by pressing the strings to the bar with your left hand. And finally, playing the solo - requires special care - accidentally grazing the adjacent string leads to its “sound”, even if we out of habit kill our fingers. Therefore, it is best to play solo with a pick, trying not to touch neighboring strings. Trying to play with real "hardrock" fifths will disappoint you. However,

PS The gadget is only for Apple. Regarding Android support, there was a muffled moo from the manufacturer. But I would not count on it. Windows7 in the variant of a wired USB connection picked up the gadget without any problems and everything that works with MIDI worked fine.

PPS The first reaction of a stupid person: “What the hell am I for, I am for the same 300 cu I’ll buy a normal Ketai, and this crap is money thrown away. ” Know how to respect the opinions of others, and do not measure everyone for yourself. I would see how you bring your “Chinese” along with the combo to the office or to the forest glade to play in your free time. In addition, this gadget is by no means positioned as a replacement for a “regular” guitar, but only as an addition to it. A device that allows you to use the guitar method of sound production, to get a completely unexpected sound (violin orchestra, for example). So, in my opinion, this gadget has a right to exist and will surely win its fans.

Also popular now: