I recently purchased a Jamstik Studio MIDI guitar, and it is excellent. I like the body's travel-size weight and shape, and the dedicated MIDI pickup is more responsive than a Jammy JG-001. Unfortunately, there is one major issue. While tracking in MIDI-mode, the instrument's output velocity –which is the audio equivalent of volume– is too low.
Here is the evidence:
Example #1 - Jamstik Creator
When I contacted Jamstik customer support, they referred me to their documentation on adjusting the sensitivity and adjusting the MIDI pickup height. Neither one of these solutions helped me significantly boost the Velocity.
Example #2 - MIDI Editor within Logic
In this example, I connect the Jamstik Studio directly into my laptop, create a new Instrument track and start recording. Once the take is complete, I then visit the MIDI editor to see the Velocity.
Example #3 - Third-Party MIDI Editor
In this example, I use a third-party tool called MIDIView to capture the Jamstik Studio's Velocity. Please note how I set the Sensitivity setting to 10 yet still achieve a low-velocity output.
Why Does This Matter?
When I'm tracking on guitar, it's frustrating to record a take then immediately go to MIDI Edit-mode to boost the Velocity parameter manually.
How can Jamstik fix this?
As mitigation, all Jamstik need's to do is add a new global parameter called "Velocity Output" from within Jamstik Creator.
Current Solutions
Apple Logic
Within Apple Logic, you can adjust the MIDI Velocity at the track input level. The screenshots below show where to do that.
Avid Pro Tools
Although it's not easy to find, there is a way to boost the MIDI velocity for real-time tracking. First, go to ```View > Edit Window Views and select Real-time Properties. The edit window now shows a new section where you can select velocity and boost the amount.
Third Party Plug-ins
Blue Cat Audio's Patchwork has a feature to boost MIDI velocity before triggering my virtual instrument.
The photos below show you how to install a virtual instrument within Blue Cat Audio's PatchWork to manipulate the MIDI Velocity from an external controller.
Resources
Plug'n Script Tutorial from Letimix.
