If you're not sure what gear you need, please read our help article on gear requirements.
If you have your gear and you're ready to set it up, use this help article as your guide and jumping off point to get everything set up and ready to play. We'll point you to each of the help articles you'll need to follow to get set up successfully. Here we go!
1. Signing Up for JamKazam Account
The first thing you need to do is to sign up for a JamKazam user account.
2. Installing the JamKazam App
After signing up, download and install the JamKazam app.
3. Installing Audio Interface Software
If you are on a Mac or Linux computer, you can and should skip this step. If you are on a Windows computer, you need to download and install software called an "ASIO driver" that was built for your audio interface by the company that made your audio interface. This software makes your audio interface work fast and perform reliably on a Windows computer. Without this driver software, you won't be able to effectively participate in online sessions.
4. Setting Up Your Audio Interface in the JamKazam App
Setting up your audio interface is done in two steps. In Step 1, you will adjust the settings on your audio interface (or let JamKazam do this for you) to get the lowest possible latency (lag) while protecting audio quality. In Step 2, you will set up the tracks you want to use
- Gear Setup, Step 1 for Mac (and Linux) - Read this help article if needed to understand how to configure your audio interface for low latency and reliable audio quality on a Mac or Linux computer.
- Gear Setup, Step 1 for Mac (and Linux) - Read this help article if needed to understand how to configure your audio interface for low latency and reliable audio quality on a Windows computer.
- Gear Setup, Step 2, Configuring Your Tracks - We strongly recommend reviewing this help article on Step 2. In this step, you may set up audio tracks for things like electric guitar, bass guitar, or a microphone for vocals and acoustic instruments. You may set up MIDI tracks for instruments like keyboards and electronic drum kits. You may also set up a chat microphone to talk with other musicians in sessions between songs if you aren't setting up a vocal mic for singing or for an acoustic instrument.
5. Setting Up Your Internet Connection Properly
Click here for instructions on how to connect your computer to your home router using Ethernet for stable, low-latency connections in JamKazam sessions.
6. Updating Your Profile
We strongly recommend updating your JamKazam profile at the same time you are installing and setting up the app. Why? Because your profile is the key to getting you connected to other musicians in the JamKazam community who have shared musical interests (genres, artists, songs) and low latency connections to you.
When you've completed these steps, you're ready to start playing in JamKazam sessions! To learn more about how to create, find, join, and play in JamKazam sessions, click here for help articles that can teach you about how to do these things.