Jamstik Review (The KING Of MIDI Guitars?)

[@stefangiudici5547]

How not to review a midi guitar 😂 seriously the only thing people care about is how well it tracks playing. Load up a piano sound so we can hear individual notes and play some complicated rhythm parts and lead parts so we can see how accurately it tracks, that's all you had to do. You played like ten notes in the whole review. How did I watch this whole thing and come away with no opinion on how well it outputs midi data, the singular reason people watched this video???

[@THESUSPICIOUSCREATOR]

mine sucked. I sold it 1 recording season later and bought a software solution with more features and way better tracking. Midi Guitar 2 and Midi Bass 2. Fantastic. The jamstiks are Mediocre quality not fit for a pro. If ZIVIX sent him an axe, it was setup correctly, dont expect YOURS to be. ALSO dont expect to use both audio out AND midi at the same time without humming. I altered mine, it was better but not good enough to record. Zivix did nothing except link me to a screw driver to buy... i cant even SEE the hex adjustment screws. . I WILL say the Jamstik is much better that one of those PLASTIC midi guitars elsewhere. The Jamstik tracked about as well as 1st gen Rolands.

[@Nizba.]

How does the Jamstik or Midi Guitar 2 software compare to a dedicated system like a Roland GK pickup with a GR synth? Is going the software route a vast improvement vs a physical unit/hardware when it comes to tracking and accuracy/no ghost notes? @@THESUSPICIOUSCREATOR

[@shamanzshadow]

@@Nizba. Jamstik: average quality guitar. Once the string locks were removed they refused to screw back in without stripping. My GK experience was about the same. Midi guitar2: many more features, (jamstik will have a slight noise when using both simultaneously. I removed the ground wire from the mothereboard, quieter, but still too noisy to use both at once). Tracking: MG2 runs way hot, which WILL ghost, I still need to learn how to dial it back right (both input gain and lower-higher string gain balance adjustable). Midi efx, analog efx, amp @ cab sim. I could easily outplay the Jamstik (which must always be in tune to even be recognized and it didnt stay in tune well), with MG2 I can fire off some licks. Myself I prefer MG2 and using my fav Schecter unmodified.😇

[@guitarcomet5]

No sale! Thanks for the video. You played JUST ENOUGH to make a decision.

[@slrtgaln4065]

downvoted for that reason. dude loaded up serum and played a synth... next

[@TheKnallhuhn]

I would have wanted to hear the Jamstick played to a beat to learn how well it works as an instrument. But even on the few notes I hear in the review it becomes clear that there is way too much latency to not be frustrating. You can see it when sounds are played that have pulsating sounds. When the first note is played, it’s a wow effect, but it’s impossible to play a second note in the groove of the pulse of the first. I had the gk-2 gi-10 from Roland and it was a terrible waste of money. It feels this still has essentially the same issue. It doesn’t track in a way that it‘s useful for musicians

[@shamanzshadow]

OMG, mine sprayed a crapload of 1/62 garbage everywhere causing notes to choke out near them. HOURS or editing to clean that up. MINE shipped with the Hex way too low, they linked to a tiny screw driver, I could hardly see the holes and was unwilling to jimmy up the guitar trying. Tap out a beat? Not much on mine anyway. It was a Zivix fail in my book.

[@shamanzshadow]

LOL. trying to use a bass vst certain notes would only fart instead of ring out. No matter what synth I was using it just couldn't keep up.

[@4CloudySky]

Guys, if you want the real deal, just buy yourself a Linnstrument. I'm a guitar player and I couldn't be happier and it's really easy to translate everything you do on a stringed instrument like vibrato and bends

[@ajohnsonstudio]

I was a little skeptical at first when I bought my Jamstik Studio. When I found it out-performed my SY-1000 with note tracking, I was amazed that accuracy could be done IN-GUITAR. My Jamstik is now my go-to guitar for live gigs where I need to bounce between traditional guitar parts on my looper/pedalboard and synth parts on my modular/laptop hybrid setup. Great video, I hope more folks discover this instrument!

[@Nate.lee98]

I love the jamstik so much, it’s an incredible instrument, especially for the price. It’s really opened me up to a whole new world of sound experimentation. As a guitar, it leaves more to be desired, but when you later the guitar sound with VSTs is when it really shines!

[@jamieztar]

Have you tried recording with this instrument? How well does it track?

[@Nate.lee98]

@@jamieztar with my setup there’s some latency and honestly quite a bit of velocity issues, it’s cool to lay down a midi track but you’ll probably want to do some touch ups (time alignment, velocity adjustment) before you finalize. I’ve only played mine which I bought used with some issues from a local music store though so maybe newer models have fixed these problems

[@monsteralex3098]

Nice review! how accurately it records midi notes when played fast? Are there many ghost notes?

[@shamanzshadow]

YES there is ghost notes. I had to slow down my playing, my compositions always had to have consideration, and the jamstik reserved for pads and simpler riffs

[@spinx2273]

I have that exact same Yamaha keyboard - got it in 2006 and it is still going strong here in 2022! I've been super on the fence about the Jamstik since I first heard about it years ago. I want to love the concept, but it just doesn't seem consist enough just yet for me to invest in one.

[@shamanzshadow]

Use the software I mentioned previously with ANY guitar. Its my opinion you would find it a workable deal.

[@MarkFromHawaii]

If the midi output plays well with other plugins such as Native Instruments, then I can see value. But as a couple folks have mentioned, Fishman already makes a midi pickup/controller that’s easy to install. I use an old Roland GR-55 with a Godin guitar that has the RMC system. Does not play well with plugins but the GR-55 synth has enough sounds built in so I’m good that way.

[@janvoimojica3564]

Congrats!!! I am your thousandth Subscriber!!! Great job covering this guitar.. Considering this as I am just getting back into playing guitar again. Thank you for your content!! looking forward to more.

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

LOOKS LIKE ALL MY WORST NIGHTMARES IN ONE INSTRUMEN Ooops sorry for the caps. Just cant get togrips with the midi guitar idea. I saved time by workin on my keyboard chops. Hope one day they actually pull this off. This is not there yet for me.

[@nickjitsu]

That's a very positive take on the Jamstik! In my experience it's pretty bad compared to the main competition (Triple Play and MG2). Definitely NOT a live instrument, but passable (just) in the studio when and if you can set it up correctly. The price must be much cheaper in the US as in the UK it's about 4 times more than it's worth. I would have done a review, but it would have been terrible and I don't think the Jamstik guys deserve that. It's definitely a work in progress and I am hopeful for the future as long as the Jamstik guys listen to guitar synth players!

[@lowbudgetproduction]

This begs the question: Would it have killed them to have the DIN-5 connector on the guitar\board itself?

[@Syncopator]

Given it has a TRS MIDI output, does that mean you can connect it directly to a MIDI sound module, and run it without a computer? I'm not the least bit interested in using it with a computer-based DAW.

[@Maplefoxx-vl2ew]

someone just was using a whole bunch of synths at a studio. they even used the Juno , it can use a midi cable to a real synth hardware with zero latency , was uploaded to Perfect Circuit youtube channel last week.

[@shamanzshadow]

Yes, it will fire up a hardware synth.

[@iddclasses]

Latency issues? Is it only for solo playing or would it work with ensemble?

[@shamanzshadow]

I could never envision mine playing with a band reliably, especially live. I can look like an idiot just fine already. (smile)

[@Zisch2]

Great review, thanks ! What if I want to change the midi settings while having my DAW open and playing with 3rd party Vsti. Can I use the Jamstik Creator software simultaneously for that?

[@shamanzshadow]

NOPE. You have to close the DAW and open Creator

[@andrelafreniere8604]

This is the best video about Jamstik. Thanks

[@baconsogood454]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. I just ordered my own Jamstik. I have FL Studio, Ableton Live 11 and Pro Tools (which I rarely use). I could be wrong but I am under the impression that Ableton 11 Live actually does support MPE.

[@4CloudySky]

It does, but it has some limitations, the main channel is restricted to channel one, so it's impossible to use splits with any MPE controller.

[@jefersontorres]

How you feel so far with it?

[@avalon1734]

I am a long time Roland VG user. As a MIDI controller I would say it is similar to Jamstik and the Fishman(which I also have). Where I think Roland real nailed it is the alternate tuning and stringed instrument emulations(using their pedals). I hated the GK external pickup and use the RMC system in my strat and the GHOST on my Floyd equipped explorer. I currently use the VG99 and GP10 pedals......no digital artifacts whatsoever and 0 tracking issues.

[@haeretean9012]

If you could look past the look and feel of it i would suggest 2 alternatives: 1. the madcatz mustang guitar ( a game controller but also an underrated midi controller ) and 2. The yourock guitar ( also a game controller but with additional features). They don't feel like the traditional guitar but they have almost to none at all lag . You can't bend strings but you can use a midi expression pedal or breath controller in the mustang and yourock has a whammy to have a semblance of feel

[@archtopguitar1638]

Has Jamstik solved the Ghost note problem such as what occurs in the Roland GR-55? There are some patches that are unplayable due to Ghost notes, those are unintended notes that get played. Roland claim they know nothing about it but Richard McClish designed the RMC OPT-01 subsonic filter to reduce the occurrence of Ghost notes which I find only partially effective.

[@shamanzshadow]

My jamstik sprayed 1/64 notes all over the place which had to be edited out by hand.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

I still think the YouRock Guitar had a more promising answer to that problem. It's not a thing that you strap to your guitar like the Triple Play, Roland VG nor an expensive niche controller like the SynthAxe or the Ztar, but it didn't seem to catch on as it should've been.

[@joshchristian8598]

I see a couple of comments about this ... just leave both your midi controllers active w your old keyboard controller and the vol and sus pedals plugged in?????... I tried this last night on Cubase 12 pro using Native Instruments Kontakt 7... NP! cool vid but limited what its performance capacity is incorrectly ...no disrespect intended, and I still learned a lot and bought the guitar from this video... now that i have it I can tell you for sure there are super easy workarounds and the guitar is awesome playing. Suprisingly nice guitar... Used for under 500.00

[@danielkats6909]

Hi , can I tune the Jamstick to A=444 ? (Like the way you set it on a regular chromatic tuner)

[@MichaelM888]

Hi.can jamstck act like normal midi that can be on of any channel at same time.tks.

[@dennismosercreativearts]

I wouldn't worry about your piano skills; after all, I see a Tiefebrücker sitting up there on your shelf behind you. :)

[@subramaniamchandrasekar1397]

I bought GR1, Axion and GT-001 over these years. Only GT-001 is responsive, but has mostly guitar sounds. Using GR-1 and Axion did not produce any playable sounds at all for orchestral sounds. No control on velocity or volume that can be used. I tried GT-10 guitar to midi module. Also bad results. Except GT-001, all others had lower guitar strings had more delayed sound (bad latency) that I have to mix guitar and synth sounds to play on time. The electronics detect the pitch only after first few cycles. Jam Origin Midiguitar and Midibass as software VST work well to directly play an instrument. Regards.

[@youngamerican100]

Does this hold tuning when playing with alternate tunings?

[@YachtRockFiend]

I honestly did not hear this thing get played? Could you maybe actually play it on the next review?

[@DJCJ999]

For the price... wouldn't you just be best adding a Roland guitar-synth pickup to a guitar? I think Roland/Boss have been doing this sort of thing longer and have better support>

[@Theroadaxe]

Excellent review, thank you

[@ZillaYT]

Will think play bass & drums accompaniment?

[@shamanzshadow]

Theres no way I could ever have tapped out a drum beat with mine.

[@normancastelli3546]

Thank you for this professionally presented tutorial. It may have been better to show the various instruments it can imitate and play first. Then go into the ins and outs...........just sayin'

[@VinnyODowd]

So if one was bold, crazy, foolish enough to use it live (whelp!), is the processed sound coming from the laptop or the 1/4 inch (like a keyboard)?

[@shamanzshadow]

from the laptop. NO WAY would I play that thing live. NOPE

[@ianmclean5541]

I found that the sounds in the app are very limited and the guitar is not compatible with my other applications, so I midi it into my ModX keyboard and access those sounds. From there, I midi out to Logic and the midi information from the ModX can be read by my other applications. I was ready to sell it but someone else figured out that work around, so I’m passing it on.

[@Maplefoxx-vl2ew]

i suck at piano too lolol so i just got this. use the TEC midi breath control with this at same time.. it's not easy.. i get short winded but it works good for up and down curves i find nicer than my mod wheel, i get short winded trying to sustain notes tho lolol. i need lung training now

[@mylesgeist16]

I might try it if they just sell the electronics. The Jamsticks themselves look like $200-$300 Asmuse guitars.

[@mooseymoose]

They are utter garbage.

[@avalon1734]

Get a Fishman Triple Play then.

[@mooseymoose]

@@avalon1734 Just get MIDI Guitar 2 software, you don’t need hardware.

[@shamanzshadow]

correct, wizzed out of the factory with spotty setup. The bridge KILLED me and I never could tune it often enough hence my 1st 50 songs you can hear I'm not in tune after a few bars

[@stephenandreweyre]

Great review - thank you!

[@dragasan]

Thanks man!

[@aarons.8532]

I use mine with FL. I don't even bother using the jamstik plugin. The FL plugins respond/work better.

[@SuperShiny-px6uh]

Is this worth?

[@333_Tarot]

Dude you have great personality

[@bluesyDude]

I appreciate this review!

[@nicolasroy6654]

Just sad there's no tremolo on any of there guitars

[@shamanzshadow]

Midi Guitar 2 and your own tremolo-equipped equipped guitar. Nuff Said

[@kevinjackson7539]

This thing is absolutely horrible the bridge on mine could barely get in tune and wouldn’t stay there for more than ten minutes. The tracking is so bad it’s unusable as a MIDI device and the software is a buggy mess. I finally dumped this thing and l didn’t care l lost money.

[@michaelneppel1748]

Damn I want one but should I steer clear?

[@kevinjackson7539]

@@michaelneppel1748 Stay far away from this mess l lost a lot of money when l finally dumped mine and l didn't care it's one of the worst piece of gear l have ever purchased.

[@avalon1734]

I use the Roland VG family of MIDI guitar systems. As a synth MIDI controller it is mediocre at best. Using a VG99, GR55, GP10 or VG88 it is absolutely awesome!!!!! I bought in to this system because you can tune your guitar 2 octaves up or down and make whatever tuning you want without digital artifacts in the sound with the guitar in standard E to E tuning. The ability to bounce around tunings in 1 guitar along with the ability to change your guitar into many different guitars and basses is spot on. I don't use the GK pup. I use the GHOST system in Floyd Rose on my explorer and RMC on my strat(both are saddles with no visible change in guitar appearance). It appears not even Jamstik is touching this very dated tech by Roland.

[@Nate.lee98]

I’m surprised! I bought a used one and it worked great right out of the gate. Did you lock the nuts on the headstock? You have to tune it the same way you would a Floyd Rose

[@kevinjackson7539]

@@Nate.lee98 l could of had a bad one? and I'm glad yours is working out but the thing that put me over the edge was the buggy software and calibration system.

[@MaliV.Williams]

No BASS??

[@sumuklukedi2234]

Where is piano

[@phantazzor]

is that video sponsored by Jamstik?

[@kurduwadichurch]

Not yet

[@gerardlanphear9185]

My Jamstik studio was a waste of money. It is now a doorstop which can not even charge.

[@dna598]

looks awful aesthetically and practically. But thanks for taking the time to reveal that.

[@waltdokken2120]

MiDi Guitar🎸 needs Modern Technology🛰 with fretboard micro chip📲 sensors to send precise midi note🎶 when string is pressed same as keyboard 🎹when key is pressed. Plus set of string vibration velocity pickup sensors by the bridge.These impulses will be merged to Midi Polyphonic expression data MPE and sent to Daw delivering 100% laser🚀 accuracy📀. Until then it's just a toy 🎃with inaccurate Ghost notes chase & frustration.🥊 Waste of time n' money🦨.

[@mylesgeist16]

nice spam post. I just replied to this on another video. Short version. Obviously, you haven't used any decent midi solution yet. What you ask for is not wanted by any guitar players.

[@guitarz99]

My god too much talking

[@russo10]

I doubt if I'd be rushing out to buy one of these, even if I could afford to that. I am the guy who recorded russ murray "the light of the world " . Makes every single hair on my entire body stand on end, every time, in multiple waves I.e. actual entertainment value. Currently the only artist in the world who is capable of doing this. Yet I can't afford to buy strings for my guitar. I suspect that most of you don't even know what that even means? Goosebumps by listening to music? But taylor swift is a billionaire and her music does not do such a thing. Good luck to you though, if that's what cuts yer mustard.