Stec Software Jamman Special ROM V0.4 Users Guide11/20/18

Stec Software – JamMan Special ROM V0.4 Users Guide11/20/18

Special ROM V0.4
Users Guide

Contents

Overview

Introduction

Features

Installation

Power Up

Using The System

Tapping in the First Loop

Using Functions

Adding Loops

Changing the Mix

Front Panel

Tap Button

Tempo LED

Mode Knob

Bypass/Reset Button

Store/Learn Button

Panel Images

Mode Knob

Pages

Channel Select

Active Channel

Edit Channel

Slap Delay

Slap Time

Slap Level

Click

Dry Level

Number of Beats

Number of Repeats

Channel Level

Channel Pan

Functions

Destructive Fade

Echo/Delay Mode

Echo Divide

Feedback

Operating Mode

Loop Mode

System Overview

Functions

Melotron Mode

Sampler Mode

MIDI

MIDI Indicator

MIDI Continuous Controllers

MIDI Program Changes

MIDI Clock In

MIDI Clock Out

MIDI Clock Set up

Three Button Footswitch

Tap

Bypass/Reset

Fade Main

Channel

Function

Page

EEPROM

Bob Sellon explains: What is an EEPROM?

Overview

The following is a rough list of features have been added to the basic Lexicon JamMan command set:
(Refer to the "JamMan Changes" page for the details about each ROM version.)

Multiple loops simultaneously
Pan and level control of loops
Dry signal mixed with wet (level control?)
Internal nondestructive click with level control
Slap delay with level and delay control
Ability to set the number of repeats (0 = infinite)
Delay mode simultaneous with loops
Echo divide: 1-127
Number of beats can be set from 1-127
Main fade
Set MIDI channel from normal operating mode
Continuous fade (nondestructive) with selectable fade time
Destructive fade (to reduce signal level in loop)
Added extensive MIDI controllers support.
Combined BYPASS and RESET functionality on a single switch

Introduction

This document is a users guide to the latest version of special software for the Lexicon JamMan hardware. The software was developed to run in a standard JamMan with a revised front panel so that it could be evaluated (and possibly enjoyed) by JamMan owners. This is not released Lexicon software and is NOT warranted by Lexicon! Any and all inquires regarding this software should be made to Bob Sellon only at 978-670-6098 or "". Lexicon sales and customer service departments will provide no support for this software.

The only required hardware modification is the ROM change. With this relatively small amount of work you get a significant enhancement of the JamMan functionality.

***PLEASE NOTE - This software has NOT been extensively tested nor has this users guide been extensively edited. This is being provided to you as a sort of primer to a potential future product. As such, proceed with caution. I have not experienced any audible bugs (loud noises, etc) but there are certainly some functional ones and the potential for both. The main objective for writing this code was to try out these ideas not to produce shippable code. Nonetheless, if you enjoyed JamMan, I'm sure you will enjoy this.

Features

The following is a rough list of features have been added to the basic JamMan command set:

Multiple loops simultaneously
Pan and level control of loops
Dry signal mixed with wet (level control?)
Internal nondestructive click with level control
Slap delay with level and delay control
Ability to set the number of repeats (0 = infinite)
Delay function
Echo divide: 1127
Number of beats can be set from 1127
Main fade
Set MIDI channel from normal operating mode
Destructive fade (to reduce signal level in loop)
Added extensive MIDI controllers support.
MIDI Program Change support
Combined BYPASS and RESET functionality on a single switch
Nonvolatile backup of system parameters (EEPROM)
A multi-voice sampler mode
A multi-voice Melotron mode

Installation

This is only rough installation guide. You are assumed to have some experience in this area. Besides, I just don't have the time to get into the details.

Remove the cover
Remove the old ROM
Install the new ROM (check for bent pins and orientation)
Replace the cover/rack ears, etc...

Important Note:
Please note that to my utter surprise, some of the JamMen have the ROM soldered in; NO SOCKET!! This makes the job of updating the software significantly more difficult. For these systems, the old ROM must be desoldered or cut out and a socket must be installed before the new ROM can go in.

If are not a skilled solderer and your JamMan does not contain a socket for the ROM, I would strongly suggest sending your JamMan to Stec for the upgrade. The charge for the ROM installation is $75 ($45 if it I'm already doing an EEPROM installation). The mailing address for Stec is:

Stec c/o Bob Sellon
42 Andover Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
USA

These can usually be completed within a week of receiving the JamMan.

So far the earliest serial number with a soldered in ROM was #K1093-01239.

Power Up

The power up sequence with the new ROM has been changed to help identify the fact there is unusual JamMan software installed in the system and the version of that software. On power up, the display spells out: S-P-E-C-I-A-L, followed by dashes which indicate the start of the version display, the actual version (main version number first followed by sub-version) and finally more dashes. The system will immediately display the current value of the parameter pointed to by the MODE encoder (right hand encoder).

Using The System

This section may be jumping ahead a bit but it provides you with an overview on how to operate the system. If any of the subjects aren’t clear, refer to it's specific section (if it exists). Note: This section describes using the system with two - 2 button (or 3 button) footswitches. Using the system via MIDI is described in the MIDI section .

Tapping in the First Loop

To use the system, you must tap in the loop size that will be applied to all of the loops you use (like the original JamMan). To set the size of the loops, you press the tap button on the "one" of the first measure...

then press the tap button a second time on the "one" of the third measure.

The default size for the loops is 8 beats (2 measures of 4/4)(unless you have the backup installed and changed the value). Often, the built in "click" will be used as a timing reference while using the system so it's level may need to be initially set.

When creating the first loop, there are two slightly different approaches that people use to set the tempo; playing their instrument while tapping so that the first loop (channel 1) has sound in it from the very beginning or, tapping in the tempo/loop size and adding sound later using the click as a reference. Typically sound is added using either the "layer" or "replace" functions.

Using Functions

After the first loop has been tapped in, the "tap" button becomes the function on/off button (again, like the original JamMan). Each press of the tap button turns the current "function" on or off. The current function can be changed by pressing the "Func" button on the foot pedal or by turning the "Mode" encoder on the front panel to "Function" then turning the "Select" encoder. Either way, the "Function" LED on the front panel will turn on to tell you that you are changing the function. If the "Function" LED is blinking then the selected "Function" is active. You select a function then press the "tap" button to turn it on and off. You can go directly from one "Function" to another or toggle the current function on and off. "Off" is actually a function itself: 0 - Looping. The front panel encoder allows you to specifically select "0" where it can then be tapped in but tapping on any function toggles you automatically from on to off (or 0 - looping). For additional information about the available "Functions" refer to the 5. Functions section on page 10.

Adding Loops

After the initial loop has been entered, you will usually want to add additional loops. Loops can be added either in parallel (playing simultaneously) or serially (like the original JamMan). You can view the available "channels" (parallel loops) by pressing the "Chan" button on the foot pedal. The "Channel" LED on the front panel will light and the channel number will appear on the display. When working with "Channels", there can only be one channel "Active" at a time. The "active" channel is the one that the "Function"/"Tap" operate on. Each press of the "Chan" button shows a different channel. If only one loop has been defined, only the numbers 1 and 2 will appear on the display when the "Chan" button is pressed. The last number displayed before it wraps around to 1 is the next available channel for recording/initialization.

To initialize a channel, press and hold the "Chan" button. The "+" sign will light indicating that the initialization has been "queued". When the end of the loop comes around (the Tempo LED stays on a little longer and the click sounds a little different), the new loop will start recording. When the end of the loop comes around again, the system drops out of record (actually "Replace") and starts looping.

Additional loops/channels can be initialized the same way. A maximum of 4 loops can run simultaneously but remember that the system on has 32 seconds of memory total. The number of actual loops that you can use depends on how long your initial loop (loop 1) was. If loop 1 was 8 seconds long, only 4 loops can be used, etc...

Changing the Mix

When the system first powers up, the mix for all of the pages is set with channel 1 set for full left, channel 2 set for full right and all of the remaining channels set for center of the stereo image. To change the "level" or "pan" of a channel, turn the front panel "Mode" encoder (the one on the right) to "Channel". Turn the "Select" encoder to change that channel you want to edited. Once you have selected the channel to edit, turn the "Mode" encoder to "Level" or "Mix" to make those adjustments on the channel you selected. Remember that all mixer setting and audio is cleared when the system is power cycled.

Front Panel

Several changes had to be made to the controls and LEDs on the front panel to accommodate the new functionality of this system. The PARAMETER SELECT (right-most) encoder which previously selected the operating mode and the number of beats now selects a parameter which can be edited by turning the SELECT encoder. The current value of the parameter being edited appears on the display. In general, you tend to edit the set up for this box before you actually put audio into it. NOTE- This needs to be updated for V0.4.

Tap Button

This button essentially works the same as in the original JamMan; press the TAP once to start recording audio, then a second time to stop recording and start looping. Each press thereafter, toggles the selected "Function".

Tempo LED

This LED essentially works the same as in the original JamMan; it flashes once per beat with the first beat of the loop slightly longer.

Mode Knob

Most parameter values appear as values between 0 and 19. For parameters which use numbers to represent modes, refer to the appropriate sections of this document when editing. Refer to the "Mode Knob" section for additional info.

The other major change to the front panel was the use of the three LEDs beside the display. These LEDs now turn on or flash to indicate what is currently being displayed when using the system via the footswitches (or, when applicable, the MODE knob). In this way the display can still be useful when using the system via the footswitches. In general, a solidly lit LED indicates "Selected" while flashing indicates "Active" (note: This is the opposite of the original JamMan. Sorry but the old way was just too weird)

Bypass/Reset Button

The functionality of the RESET/BYPASS button has been changed in this software. When the RESET/BYPASS button is pressed and quickly released, the system toggles in and out of BYPASS. When bypassed, the letter "P" appears on the display. Note that the "Main Fade" works in conjunction with the bypass; if you are in bypass and press the Main Fade button, the audio "ramps" out of bypass (mute). If you are not bypassed, Main Fade ramps the audio down to the bypass/mute.

When the button is pressed and held, all loops are cleared. A dash (-) flashes on the display when a clear operation is executed.

Store/Learn Button

This button was the FUNCTION button in the original JamMan but here, stores the current system parameter settings (if the EEPROM is installed).

Panel Images

Here is the Mode knob graphics in a couple of formats: NOTE- This needs to be updated for V0.4.

Gif File
Adobe Illustrator File
Macintosh PICT Format
Windows Metafile

Mode Knob

In order to expand the functionality of the system, the user interface had to be modified somewhat. Ideally, there would be a peel-n-stick overlay for the front panel that would correctly identify the controls. That not being an option right now, I've provided the following panel overlay that you can print out, cut and tape to your front panel. Sorry, it's crude, but I just don't have the resources to do anything better. (This may be a good thing for the time being as the assignments of some of the controls is likely to change.)

The following table briefly describes each selection:

Label / Description
MIDI Channel / Selects the MIDI channel to which the system will respond
Audio Threshold / This sets the signal level at which the system will trigger (start recording, restart playback) if the Operating Mode is set for Sampler.
Output Level / This a soft controllable output level control. This can be stored if the EEPROM is installed and can also be controlled via MIDI Controller
Dry Level / This sets the signal level of the dry input signal through the DSP. This is useful if you are using the system "in line" and want to have MIDI control of the dry signal. If used in an effects loop, this is usually set to 0. (note- the dry signal in this mode is summed to mono.)(also note that Mix knob needs to be set for 100% Wet to use the Dry Level control effectively.
Slap Time / This sets the delay time of the built in slap delay
Slap Level / This sets the signal level of the built in slap delay.
Click Level / This sets the signal level of the "Click" (Metronome)
Level / This sets the signal level of the "Active" Channel
Pan / This sets the "Pan" (left/right position) of the signal in the stereo output image
Echo Divide / This defines how the loop size is divided up when the Function is set for Delay.
Feedback / This sets the amount of the output that is fed back into the input when the Function is set for Delay.
Function / This defines which "Function" will become active when the TAP button is pressed (after the initial loop is "tapped" in).
Operating Mode / This defines the global Operating Mode of the system.
Num Beats / This defines the number of beats that will be assigned to the loop. This effects the "Click" and MIDI clock in and out.
Page / This selects the current page for editing (pressing TAP makes it "Active").
Channel / This selects the current channel for editing (pressing TAP makes it "Active").

Pages

Much of the flexibility of this system revolves around the use of "Pages". In some ways "Pages" could be thought of as user registers. You set them up to respond a certain way then recall them later when you want to use them. The best way to think about this system is as an 8 channel mixing board. Each channel has an identical set of adjustments (level, pan, etc). Then there are more global things like master level (on a conventional mixing board). In this system our requirements are a little different because of what we are trying to do, but the basic concept is similar. On this mixing board you have the option of setting all of the channel and global parameters and saving them in a "Page". Each page has it's own set of channel settings and global settings which can be stored.

The following global parameters are available within each "Page":

- Number of beats
- The Channel Mixer information

Each Channel of each Page contains the following data:
- Channel level
- Channel Pan
- Number of Repeats

Channel Select

In order to initialized new channels (except the first one) and to edit them, a channel must e made "active". Only one channel can be "active" at a time.

There are actually several different methods of selecting the "active" channel: