If you haven't already, install loon from jamstik.com/LOONDownload and follow the steps at jamstik.com/LOONGuide. This article will go over Jamstik specific features like the tuner and device settings.

Connecting Your Jamstik to LOON:

IMPORTANT: In AU, AAX, or VST3 mode, Jamstik connection for MIDI input is handled by your DAW and may require a small amount of setup depending on your DAW - Visit the DAW Setup Guides for more information.
Also check the LOON: Third-Party DAW Compatibility Database for updated information on available capabilities for the LOON in your DAW.

LOON installs the LOON software and a background program called Jamstik Service. This program helps LOON communicate with the Jamstik and change settings without having to be an active MIDI device. This is helpful on machines where MIDI devices are only able to be used on one program at a time and for cases where you wish to change settings on your Jamstik MIDI Guitar in LOON without making sound with the MIDI output.
 

To connect your Jamstik MIDI Guitar for MIDI Output, click on the Audio/MIDI button in the top left of the screen and make sure the checkbox next to your Jamstik is selected under MIDI Devices. It may show up as either Jamstik MIDI OUT or Jamstik 1 depending on the platform. There should be a greyed out Jamstik option, this is the port the service uses to connect with the Jamstik and does not need to be selected.

Make sure your preferred audio output device is selected in the dropdown (set the driver type to either WASAPI or ASIO on windows for the best experience). 

Jamstik Firmware Updates

If you experience issues at any step in the firmware update process, ensure you are connected over USB and not Bluetooth (firmware updates over Bluetooth are not possible at this time), and visit Firmware Update Troubleshooting for more help.

LOON is the preferred method to update Jamstik MIDI Guitar device firmware over a USB connection. The entire update process takes less than 5 minutes and is strongly recommended for all Jamstik users to keep their Jamstik MIDI Guitars updated whenever possible for playability enhancements, improved tracking, bug fixes, third-party compatibility, and new features.

After connecting a Jamstik MIDI Guitar to LOON with an out-of-date firmware while connected to the internet, a pop-up should appear regarding firmware updates as well as an update available badge in the connection tab. You can also check for firmware updates by clicking "Check for Firmware Update" in the top menu dropdown.

Once the Jamstik Firmware Update page has launched, click Start Update and your Jamstik should finish updating in less than 5 minutes.

Once the update is complete, your Jamstik's LED lights may continue flashing for a bit. 

If you have a Jamstik Core, it should power on and reconnect automatically. If not, unplug and plug in the Jamstik and select the device in Audio/MIDI Preferences.

For other Jamstik MIDI Guitars, once the LEDs have turned off, press the power button on your Jamstik THEN open Audio/MIDI Preferences and reconnect your Jamstik.

If you have experienced issues at any step in the process, ensure you are connected over USB and not Bluetooth (firmware updates over Bluetooth are not possible at this time), and visit Firmware Update Troubleshooting for more help.

Jamstik Device Settings

For more information on Jamstik Devices Settings and how to match them to your third-party hardware/software settings, visit Jamstik MIDI Guitar Device Settings

To access your Jamstik's Device Settings, click on the 'Device Settings' icon on the top bar or Jamstik Device Settings in the top-left menu dropdown.

MIDI Controls

MIDI Modes:

• MPE Mode: The Jamstik was built to send expression on 6 channels. MPE mode allows even greater individual note control and expression.
• Single-Channel: Single-Channel Mode is compatible with most DAWs and VSTs
• Multi-Channel: Multi-Channel mode allows strings to be split into 6 different channels

If your Jamstik MIDI Guitar's firmware is up to date, you can also double press your device's power button to cycle between Single Channel and MPE MIDI Mode.

First MIDI Channel:

Controls the MIDI Channel for Single Channel Mode and the first of 6 channels for the guitar on Multi-Channel mode. This cannot be changed on MPE mode as MPE uses MIDI Channels 2-7 for strings. 

Pitch Bend Send:

Sends string bend information from guitar to external DAW and VSTs as Pitch Bend (On MPE/Multi-Channel Mode, pitch bend is on a per-channel basis).

Pitch Bend Range:

Warning: If your device's pitch bend range is changed and does not match your VST or LOON's pitch bend range, the resulting MIDI output will not accurately reflect what you are playing.

Here you can change your Jamstik MIDI Guitar's Pitch Bend Range (Firmware update may be required). This will let you use other VSTs and Hardware synthesizers and have them accurately reflect your pitch bends.

For reference, most VSTs have a default pitch bend range of ±2 while the MPE standard is ±48. 

String Envelope Send (USB Connection Only): 

String Envelope Send sends amplitude/aftertouch information from guitar to external DAW and VSTs. These values are tracked and sent per-string and per-channel when this is turned on. In the case of LOON, this is used to change the volume of the notes being played to follow the amplitude of the sound being played from the guitar on presets and instruments where Expression Volume Mod is turned on and the String Envelope Mapping is set to 11: Expression (the default value). This produces a more "string-like" decay and cut-off for the produced sounds. This also allows for more natural effects when using playing methods like muting or palm muting.

String Envelope Mapping:

Warning: Presets in the LOON and Oscillator Instruments with Expression Volume Mod enabled listen for CC11 Expression. If this value is changed, LOON will not respond to string envelope until this value is changed back to 11: Expression.

String Envelope Mapping maps string envelope information to specific MIDI controls. 4 Default mappings are available in the drop-down and any MIDI CC number can be typed in the box for specific controllers.

Drop-down values:

• Expression: Uses CC11 Expression for string envelope mapping. This is used in LOON in many presets as well as with the Expression Volume Mod in the Oscillator Instrument. It is used similarly in many other third-party software instruments.
• Channel Pressure: Channel Pressure is used by many third-party MPE VSTs usually for a volume swell or fade effect. Roli uses Channel Pressure for their Press value in Equator2 and the rest of their MPE software instruments.
• Volume: Uses CC7 Volume for string envelope mapping. Some third-party software or hardware synthesizers will listen for this value and adjust the volume. This can create a guitar-like decay with minimal setup.
• Sound Ctrl 2: Uses CC71 for string envelope mapping. CC71 is often mapped to and used for resonance in third party software and hardware.

Octaves/Semitones Transpose:

The octave and semitone allow you to transpose the MIDI output of the Jamstik MIDI Guitar without retuning the guitar. 

Sensitivity

String Sensitivity:

String sensitivity can be adjusted using the Master String Sensitivity slider, or on an individual string basis. This setting changes how likely it is that a note will be registered as a midi note. Higher sensitivity values will result in more MIDI notes being registered while lower sensitivity values will better filter out accidental high fret brushes and other unintentional notes.

MIDI Velocity Limits:

Restricts the MIDI velocity outputs of the Jamstik.  For example, if min MIDI Velocity is set to 25 and a note is played that would normally be at velocity 7 is played, that note will instead have a velocity value of 25. Notes with velocities normally inside the range selected will not be changed. Setting both values to the same velocity will result in all notes being the same MIDI velocity.

Tuning

String Open Note Tuning:

Use of this feature requires physically retuning your guitar.

String Open Note Tuning allows you to play your Jamstik in tunings other than standard tuning (EADGBe). To change tunings you must change the note values for each string in the dropdowns as well as retune your guitar. Common tunings are available as presets in the dropdown.

To tune your guitar, make sure your Device Settings are set to MPE Mode and Pitch Bend Send is active. Then strum your guitar and tune with the provided tuner visual feedback. The tuner for that string will show if you are flat or sharp, and approximately how many cents. For more information on tuning your Jamstik MIDI Guitar see our full article on tuning.

Octaves/Semitones Transpose:

The octave and semitone allow you to transpose the MIDI output of the Jamstik MIDI Guitar without retuning the guitar. (These are identical to the Transpose functions found in MIDI Controls and are doubled here for convenience).

Advanced Options

Sleep Timers:

This controls how many minutes of inactivity can occur before the Jamstik MIDI Guitar switches into sleep mode. You can also disable the sleep timer or have "unlimited time" until the Jamstik shuts off by typing zero in the box or navigating to the farthest left or right value of the sleep timer.

Wired Sleep Timer controls the sleep time when the Jamstik is plugged into to a power source or computer through USB.

Wireless Sleep Timer controls the sleep timer when the Jamstik is not plugged in by USB but is either sending MIDI through Bluetooth or TRS-MIDI.

Bluetooth Enabled:

For studio environments where a Bluetooth signal may cause interference, you can turn off the Jamstik MIDI Guitar's Bluetooth signal. Changing this value will force the Jamstik to restart.

Left-Handed Mode

Flips the fretboard for left-handed models of the Jamstik MIDI Guitar.

Transcription Mode

Transcription mode improves accuracy and filters out unwanted MIDI notes at the cost of adding 30-40 extra milliseconds of latency and disabling some performance features like hammer-ons. This mode is primarily meant for recording rather than performing and a lower buffer size and ASIO drivers on Windows is strongly recommended in this mode.

Check for Firmware Update

Launches the Jamstik Firmware Update page and allows you to update your Jamstik's device firmware in LOON.

Reset Tuning

Resets the Open Note String Tunings to Standard (EADGBe).

Reset to Factory Settings

Resets all Jamstik MIDI Guitar settings to factory settings.

Demo Mode

Demo mode is a feature designed for exhibition use that resets a Jamstik's settings after a period of inactivity. You can change the amount of time between resets and whether it changes back to a single channel or MPE mode.

Device Diagnostics

Jamstik Device information meant for internal use/debugging.

Calibration

In the calibration menu found in the top-left dropdown menu, you can tune your guitar as well as check the velocities of your MIDI data.

Note: If data is not showing up or only showing up on one string on this page like below, go into Device Settings and set your guitar to MPE Mode and make sure pitch bend send and amplitude tracking send is on.

String Velocity

String velocity shows the MIDI velocity that is being sent from each input. You can use this to check your velocities for each playing style and it can also be a helpful tool for use while physically adjusting your guitar for best performance. When you play loudly, the notes should register in the red. When you play quietly, the notes should register at the bottom of the yellow. 

Min MIDI Velocity/Max MIDI Velocity

Restricts the MIDI velocity outputs of the Jamstik.  For example, if min MIDI Velocity is set to 25 and a note is played that would normally be at velocity 7 is played, that note will instead have a velocity value of 25. Notes with velocities normally inside the range selected will not be changed. Setting both values to the same velocity will result in all notes being the same MIDI velocity. This option is also accessible through Jamstik Device settings and is doubled here for troubleshooting/convenience.

Tuner

To tune your guitar, make sure your Device Settings are set to MPE Mode and Pitch Bend Send is active. Then strum your guitar and tune with the provided tuner visual feedback. The tuner for that string will show if you are flat or sharp, and approximately how many cents. For more information on tuning your Jamstik MIDI Guitar see our full article on tuning. This option and per-string tuning adjustments are available through Jamstik Device settings and are doubled here for convenience.