MIDI tracks are used for electronic instruments like electronic drum kits and keyboards that send MIDI data to your computer, where this data is converted to audio by virtual instrument plugins (e.g. VSTs). To set up a MIDI track, click the Add MIDI Track button in the left column of the gear wizard. The Add MIDI Track dialog box is displayed (pictured below).
Selecting MIDI Instrument
Start by selecting MIDI instrument you want to use for this track in the MIDI Device list box.
If you don’t see your MIDI instrument listed, double check to ensure the instrument is properly connected to your computer or your audio interface (depending on how you connect your gear). Click the “Scan for connected MIDI devices” and see if your instrument is listed. If it is still not listed, we recommend checking to be sure you have any software driver required by your instrument installed properly on the computer. If you cannot see your instrument in the list, we recommend contacting our team for help at support@jamkazam.com.
Selecting Your Instrument
Next, select the instrument for which you are setting up this track – e.g. Keyboard, Drums, etc. This will be displayed on the track in JamKazam sessions, which will help you easily identify and manage this track (e.g. setting levels in the mix, etc.).
Using Virtual Instrument Plugins
Finally, when using MIDI, you will need to use a plugin with this track to convert MIDI data into audio. To apply a plugin to this track, simply click in the plugin list box. A list of the plugins available on your computer is displayed. Select the one you want to assign to this track. If you have a lot of plugins, you can start typing the name of the plugin you want to use, and the list box will be filtered to just the plugin names that match what you’ve typed.
If you don’t see your plugin in the list box, click the “Scan for new or updated plugins” text link. This causes JamKazam to scan your computer in the folders where plugins are typically stored to find all your plugins and add them to the list box. When this is done, click the plugin list box again to see if your plugin shows up.
If your plugin still isn’t listed, check to be sure the plugin is installed on your computer, and take note of the folder/directory location where the plugin is installed. Then click the “Manage folders for plugin scans” text link. You will see a dialog box that lists all the folders JamKazam is currently scanning to find plugins on your computer (pictured below).
Scroll down through the list of plugin folders to see if the folder where your plugin is installed is in the list. If you don’t see your plugin’s folder here, click the Add Folder button at the bottom of the list, and navigate to that folder on your computer, adding your plugin’s folder location to this list of scanned folders. When this is done, click the “Scan for new or updated plugins” text link. This causes JamKazam to scan your computer, and it should now find your plugin and add it. When this is done, click the plugin list box, and select your plugin from the list.
With your MIDI device and instrument type selected and a plugin selected, click the Add Track button, and you will see the track created and displayed in the gear wizard window.