Author Topic: JamKazam Major Update Released  (Read 468 times)

Offline Chaser

JamKazam Major Update Released
« on: September 08, 2024, 11:04:40 PM »
 JamKazam

Hi JamKazammers!
We know it's been a while since you've heard from us. We've been working hard the last 3 years (literally) to rebuild the entire backend technology stack of the JamKazam platform, and after several months of beta testing and feedback, we are ready to release a massive update to the product. If you're currently using JamKazam, get ready for a terrific upgrade, and if you've stopped using JamKazam, now is a great time to jump back in!

What's New

There's so much to cover here, let's get right to it:

    64-Bit Windows App
The Windows version of the JamKazam app is now 64-bit and compatible with both Win10 and Win11.

    Native Mac Apps
 We now offer two Mac apps.. one optimized for Intel processors and one optimized for the newer Apple M1/M2/M3 processors. For users on newer Macs who have been struggling with the "audio system unstable" message and other compatibility issues, your Mac will now work great with the new JamKazam app.

    Stability & Performance
 We've updated the outdated third-party libraries we previously relied on, and have tested and hardened our own code, resulting in an app with much snappier performance and far fewer crashes and bugs. You?ll find the new app to be much more stable and reliable.

    64-bit VST/AU Plugin Support
 You can now use your favorite current 64-bit plugins in the new Windows app. The Mac app continues to support 64-bit plugins.

    MIDI Persistence
 If you set up a MIDI track in your audio gear configurations, we now persist your MIDI settings from one session to another.

    JamTracks & Backing Tracks
 We've improved JamTrack and backing track audio processing so that if you open and play these audio files in sessions, the audio is clear both to you and to remote participants. We have also added support for using .mp3 audio files as backing tracks in sessions.

    Session Video
 We upgraded our video system to support for a broader range of webcams, deliver higher quality video, and avoid disrupting audio quality in sessions. We?ve also moved video display from the JamKazam app into the browser.

    Session Recording
 We've simplified our recording feature so that when you stop recording, you immediately see a folder with the master mix, plus the high-quality stems of your own audio tracks from your audio interface, and the stream-quality stems of all other musicians in your session. We've also added support for saving recordings as .mp3 files if desired.

How to Upgrade to the New App

If you still have the JamKazam app on your computer, you can simply start the app, and it will prompt you with update instructions. If you need to get the app, you can download it here: https://www.jamkazam.com/downloads. For Mac users, be sure to choose the Replace option when installing.

Once you've installed the new app, launch it and then use it as you normally would to find, join, and play in sessions. Given that it has been so long since the last major app upgrade, some users during the beta period found that they had issues after updating the app. If you run into any problems (or if you just want to get a super clean install that sets you up for the best success), we recommend you follow the instructions in this help article to wipe out your existing audio profiles and other settings to start with a clean install: https://jamkazam.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/66000518827.

Windows app users will need to be on Win10 or Win11. Mac app users need to be at MacOS version 10.15 (Catalina) or later to use the new app.

How to Get Help

If you encounter any bugs while using the new apps, please open a support ticket here: https://www.jamkazam.com/help_desk, and our support team will help get you fixed up. If you have any trouble with the help desk, you can also email our team for help at support@jamkazam.com.

If you have trouble with the new app and urgently need to revert to the previous version of the app before you have the time for our support team to help you, you can download and re-install the previous version of the app here: https://www.jamkazam.com/downloads-legacy. If you do this and continue to run the legacy version of the app, you'll be prompted to update the app each time you run it. You can click the Control+Shift+N buttons on your keyboard to bypass the update prompt.

What's Next

This is a huge release, but we've been working quietly on a whole lot more good stuff behind the scenes. Here are some of the things you can look forward to soon:

    Video Recording
While the new app?s audio recording feature is great, we?re working now on an improved session recording feature for both video and audio, leveraging our new video system, while also integrating with OBS Studio for its outstanding video processing capabilities.

    Broadcasting
 Like video recording above, we are also rebuilding our category-leading session broadcasting features (lets you broadcast your sessions through YouTube, etc), integrating here also with OBS Studio to enable higher quality broadcasts.

    User Interface
We have been working on a major look-and-feel update to modernize the JamKazam user interface, and we?ll start releasing features with these updates soon.

    More
We've also been working on features to help you find other musicians to play with in high-quality, low-latency JamKazam sessions. More on this unique feature soon, too!

Thanks for your patience as we've been working long and hard to reach this point. It has taken longer to get here than we expected, but we're excited to have built a far better foundation from which we can continue to innovate on behalf of the JamKazam community.

Best Regards,
Team JamKazam
« Last Edit: September 08, 2024, 11:10:07 PM by Chaser »

Offline AlanK

Re: JamKazam Major Update Released
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2024, 12:00:42 PM »
I got their email too .. I'd forgotten about JamKazam.. installed it during the lockdowns to see if any of my musician friends would wanna try using it but I was the only one using ethernet and none of their wifi cut it so we gave up.. maybe time to try again
DM10X with Addictive Drums 2, Pro X hi-hat, 4 crashes, foam cone conversion w Roland mesh heads, Laurin Drums snare and kick, Mapex P710W double kick pedal, Mapex 2 legged hi-hat, Behringer 8 channel USB mixer, Tascam 144MK AI, Samson Expedition Escape powered speakers

Offline Chaser

Re: JamKazam Major Update Released
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2024, 01:44:15 PM »
I got their email too .. I'd forgotten about JamKazam.. installed it during the lockdowns to see if any of my musician friends would wanna try using it but I was the only one using ethernet and none of their wifi cut it so we gave up.. maybe time to try again

I think a lot of people forgot about it..3 years for an update is a lifetime for software these days.
Perfect Drums was stagnant for 2 years..yet it is now DW Soundworks and I know developers still behind trying to update their plugins etc to Apple M1,M2 let alone M3
I did a Quick Install/Test..Guitar and Drums simultaneously

The plugins load quickly..I had (2) loaded..
Guitar - Amplitube 5
Drums - misc
Not much stress on the CPU .the lowest latency I could get was 8.9ms (128 Sample rate)..but Jitter was very good...
It didn't matter which Plugin or how many.

I Need to spend more time adjust the Audio Interface/Rates etc...and of course the Big test distance with others online.

Older machine..I use for Internet etc..decent amount of RAM

PROCESSOR - Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4690 CPU @ 3.50GHz   3.50 GHz
Installed RAM - 32.0 GB

EDIT:
Attached Pics of the Main Players
« Last Edit: September 10, 2024, 02:00:43 PM by Chaser »

Offline AlanK

Re: JamKazam Major Update Released
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2024, 11:29:26 AM »
Fantastic research, Chaser. You always amaze me (us) with how much time and effort you put into the knowledge base and assistance with inquiries here. I'm looking at new laptops with better cores than my 10 yr old HP and more RAM, so I may just try this out soon with others (if they can keep up with the tech as well). Thanks, as always, for your contributions in this amazing forum!
DM10X with Addictive Drums 2, Pro X hi-hat, 4 crashes, foam cone conversion w Roland mesh heads, Laurin Drums snare and kick, Mapex P710W double kick pedal, Mapex 2 legged hi-hat, Behringer 8 channel USB mixer, Tascam 144MK AI, Samson Expedition Escape powered speakers

Offline Chaser

Re: JamKazam Major Update Released
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2024, 12:27:27 PM »
Fantastic research, Chaser. You always amaze me (us) with how much time and effort you put into the knowledge base and assistance with inquiries here. I'm looking at new laptops with better cores than my 10 yr old HP and more RAM, so I may just try this out soon with others (if they can keep up with the tech as well). Thanks, as always, for your contributions in this amazing forum!

Thanks Alan..I have done a lot of R&D with Alesis and other products..including a lot of Modifications I haven't posted.
I am not going to post the DIY..instead I'll be offering for sale eventually.I managed to pick up some Inventories.
I think Social Media changed participation as a community to individualization and added a fear factor of being shot down asking questions or posting ideas etc.

If you notice in the Toontrack Plugins in JamKazam..there is an Audio Engine is "Inactive'.
I have made sure both matched etc etc and those plugins don't output sound.
I'll have to find time and see if there is a Bug reporting area etc..I seen similar issue years ago with Reaper.

As far as a New machine...
Check this Mini PC.




A number of Users have started using this model for Performing Live...see this Topic over at V-Drums
It seems to handle everything well including the Audio...decent price $250.00..

There is also a 7" Screen Version now with 3.4GHZ...16GB DDR4 512GB Storage and on sale for $270.00.



I seen other AIO Variations with large Touch screen etc that are more expensive similar to size of a Drum Module , but watch for lower CPU Specs and RAM..some are only 4- 8GB.

If the 11.6" version had a better CPU..more RAM I would be Tempted to adding a TMI like an eDRUMin (or 2) to it...
I tried 2.0GHZ Tablets with Turbo up to 3GHZ including some with Intel processors and those would work on smaller Vst AD2 EZDrummer 1/2 but were Borderline on the larger that could load 8-16GB Kits..however they were passive and the system Thermal Throttling starts up under Heavy use and when you least expect it.
All Versions Operating System Support: Win 11 Pro/Win 10 Pro/Ubuntu/Linux


EDIT:
Added Images,Links
« Last Edit: September 12, 2024, 02:20:20 AM by Chaser »