01-28-2003, 12:00 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Pocket Acid renamed to Pocket Jam
Remember our post last week about this application? Well, it's been renamed to Pocket Jam (good move guys!) and is now officially out on the market. I listened to one of the demo tracks created with Pocket Jam, and I'm really impressed - I think it's still too complex for someone like me, but if something like this makes sense to you, brother, this is your program.
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01-28-2003, 12:06 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 89
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This program rocks! If you've ever used with ReBirth on the PC you'll know what to expect, and you'll know how to use it straight away. Get a decent pair of headphones connected, and you should be very pleased  It would be particularly good (but probably not possible?) if this program could receive midi instructions and be used as part of a wider set of instruments. Nevertheless, if you like acid/trance music this is all you need.
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01-28-2003, 12:22 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,041
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Truly innovative software.
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01-28-2003, 01:02 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
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I have Jaytrax, which is available for the PC as well (it's free, but I don't think it's as easy to use as the PPC version... But the PC version is a little bit more flexible when it comes to making patterns and sub-song data and patterns and importing midi files...). I really like Jaytrax. It can basically do all that Pocket Jam can, and more. PocketJam only has like two synth channels and one drum channel, where as Jaytrax (PPC) can do up to 6 channels of anything. Jaytrax for the PC can do a lot more than 6 channels (at least 16, that I remember). You can define a whole lot of things for the instruments, too. You can use wav samples (sometimes I even use my Pocket PC's microphone to sample sounds!), FM-wave synthesis, analog-type effects, or whatever. There are a ton of things you can do, like changing the BPM or pitch or a ton of different aspects about the instrument at any point in a pattern by assigning special properties to a certain moment. Jaytrax is much more flexible, but its interface isn't quite as pretty as PocketJam's is. I quite like Jaytrax, I have made a few songs already. Jaytrax used to be a Jaytown app, but has changed hands to a company called Klaar. Either way, the PC-version of Jaytrax is free and also lets you save to wave. [/url]
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01-28-2003, 01:02 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 176
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When are we going to see something like cakewalk for the pocket pc released? I would like at least something like one of those portable guitar recorders with a built in amp and drum set. Those cost $400 at Guitar Center. Why couldn't I just do that on my PPC?
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01-28-2003, 01:06 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
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The interface in the PC version of Jaytrax is kind of confusing. And the interface for the PPC version does require some getting used to, but you can always check out the demo version. The PC version includes pre-definded instruments and patterns and songs, some of which are quite good and unique. Check it out.
PocketJam does look very clean, though. It's always good to see competition! I hope that PocketJam eventually exceeds Jaytrax in features. I hope that Klaar then wakes up and works on Jaytrax a little more, too.
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01-28-2003, 01:12 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
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You can't do that because PPC OEMs are too stupid to spend the five cents it would cost to put in an audio-in jack in PPCs! It's quite frustrating, really. As far as I know, there's still no CF card accessories that have stereo audio-inputs either. I thought about this a long time ago and wished so badly that someone would make either a PPC or an accessory that has multiple-inputs available (or at least one stereo input!).
I know that the iPAQ 36xx's sound chip has full support for stereo-input sound, but there's no audio-in jack! You could probably easily enough install a mono-input jack by using the wires from the microphone. I have thought about doing this for a long time to my iPAQ (which is still currently taken apart), but I have never gotten around to it. I should do it one of these days... Hey, I have two other PPCs (an e115 and an e740), so why not?
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01-28-2003, 01:41 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 176
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I have also thought about the possibiliy of adding a mic-in via CF card, and found it possible by buying a 128mb or 256mb CF-USB card and then buying a usb microphone. But then there is the question of will the PPC OS recognize the USB mic as an input. I'm also assuming that there will have to be drivers for the mic. The h545x has mic input via headphone jack but I won't spend $700 on that.
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01-28-2003, 04:29 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 103
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At first glance the program seemed promising, having a rebirth clone for the PPC could be useful. After playing with it for 15 mintues, I am not impressed at all. The drum kit could be MUCH better, or they could at least allow for sample loading to replace thier kit. However, after playing with it for a bit, I was able to get sounds I liked out of it, however, the 303's do not go low enough for my taste.
What really killed it for me was, I tried to whip up a somewhat complex song that used a good amount of drums, and the program had issues keeping up on a 400mhz Dell (or maybe I need to soft reset to make it happy). A lack of midi file save is a huge issue, becuase what if you actully want to something you whipped up on this with a real synth? I will try playing with this next time I am trying to kill time. However, this is a good first attempt. Maybe when they have a slightly more expanded sound base than the X0X's, I will give it a closer look as a tool.
However I have a few thoughts on making the PPC a more viable music tool. First, the tracker/sequecers should be designed for quick entry of notes/effects. PocketJam's sequencer was great on this aspect. Second, unless some form of making the PPC having either more inputs or outputs (such as a bluetooth midi controler, or getting usb mics to work), any tool should be used for hammering out ideas on the top of your head instead of trying to be used live. Third, and most importantly IMO, is have a FREE program to playback the files created by the program both on the PPC and a PC. The ideal situation is, I get an idea while waiting between classes, open up the program, select an samples/insturments I want out of the library, track/sequence down something, and once finished send off to friend or two to get feedback. If someone knows of a good mod tracker for the PPC, please shout it out (If the interface is good, it will meet all of the above).
The PPC has the capability to become a kickass tool in many areas, lets hope it can become a kickass music tool. Now only if I could get my dream PPC (128mb ram, 4gb built in microdrive, CF and SD, intergrated WiFI and BT, HeadSet in, and a 4" 320x480 24bit Transflective LCD. Hey we can all dream.)
-Dan.
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01-28-2003, 06:20 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
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The trial version of Jaytrax for PPC is just save-disabled. You can open songs, instruments, or patterns, no problem. And the PC version of Jaytrax is completely free. I am assuming that you are talking about PocketJam. Try Jaytrax. It'll probably suit you, PapaSmurfDan. It is definitely more flexible in every way. I had really no problems playing really complex songs on my old iPAQ. In fact, if I used the lower quality (22KHz mono), nothing could choke my e115, even if it used all sorts of effects and all 6 channels. Try Jaytrax. It's better, I think. Also, Jaytrax has better sound quality (44KHz stereo) than PocketJam.
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Linear Mode
