| What is jamma? | System Requirements |
| Recommended Requirements | jamma visuals |

What is Jamma?

jamma is a custom made multichannel loop-sampling program capable of sampling 8 inputs simultaneously, synchronising them automatically, and outputting them to any 8 outputs.

jamma is written in Pd (a realtime audio patching language written by Miller Puckette), and since both jamma and Pd are open source, they are free to anyone and infinitely configurable.

To use simply download jamma and install Pd.
(bear in mind you may need additional Hardware)

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Requirements

In order for Jamma to work on your computer, you will need:-

1. A Decent computer (recommend at least 2 Ghz)
2. An 8 IN/8 OUT soundcard (eg the Delta 10/10 from M-Audio)

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Recommended

Jamma is designed as a live performance jam tool. As such it was made to allow musicians to record and play loops in real-time while on stage, without having to concern themselves with what the computer is doing.
In our system, we use the Jamma with a large mixing desk so that live intstruments can be permanently plugged in ready to rEecord at the tap of a trigger, and so that the loop outputs can be mixed (by the 'mixman') using a proper mixing interface. This allows very creative use of drop-ins/drop-outs, buildups and breakdowns, eq and effects (did you wonder why I haven't provided any eq or effects on the outputs??!).
With this in mind, to enable Jamma to be used most effectively, I recommend:-

1. A resolution of 1024x768 on WinXP
2. A 16-8-2 Mixing Desk (16 Channel, 8 Subgroup) at least.

3. A MIDI in device such as pedalboard type with at least 12 triggers each capable of sending a note-on and note-off command when circuit is made or broken. Each make or break should send the trigger numbers corresponding MIDI note (i.e. between 1 and 12) as a note on (make) or note-off (break). Alternatively, the X-Keys matrix board...

I got mine made custom by Tom Scarff, who lives at:
http://tomscarff.tripod.com/
and will do you one up for about 50 quid postage included (don't quote me on that price).
Triggers not included, though generic sustain pedals would do.
More about triggers later...

4. A reasonable knowledge of pd

For additional help/instructions, view the readme file in Jamma.zip

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jamma visuals

There is also a piece of vj software designed to communicate with jamma, currently in the works. This will enable accurate beat synchronisation of video clips since perfect knowledge of looplength/beatlengths is obtainable. Clips will interact creating short animation sequences, video will be texture mapped onto objects and many pixel based effects will be easily applied.