Jamstik is a portable guitar controller for Mac and iOS, which feels and sounds like the real deal. Now the company Zivix just announced through Kickstarter the new Jamstik+, successor to the original Jamstik, which sports a few significant improvements.
The Original Jamstik
To recap the original portable guitar, Zivix’s first Jamstik, dubbed the “smart guitar”, is an MIDI controller that looks like a guitar. It has strings, frets and shares lots of other DNA with a regular guitar. To produce sound, you’ll need a Mac or iOS device.
The neck is pretty short, with only five frets, and the small body makes it lightweight and portable. The “smart” part comes from the fact that you play Jamstik via apps and software, opening up a host of sounds and creative possibilities.
Jamstik+, the New Breed
The new Jamstik+ adds a hexaphonic magnetic pickup, something the company says gives the strings a more natural feel, and delivers a higher-resolution signal compared to the original’s piezo-based method. The second important addition is the move from WiFi to Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity. This makes the Jamstik+ the first guitar controller to be compatible with apps that support Apple’s Bluetooth LE MIDI implementation. It also means it’s a little bit easier to set up. There’s also a USB connection for both charging and connecting to a PC.
Setup
Once set up, the free “Jam Tutor” app contains a series of interactive lessons that walk you through everything from plucking strings to playing chords. There’s even a little Guitar Hero-like game where you play the tune for real. If you already play guitar, Jamstik+ is the ideal way to play MIDI synths and apps in a way you’re already comfortable with. This includes controlling virtual instruments with music production software, such as Ableton or Logic.
Within less than a minute of connecting Jamstik+ to an iPad, you’re playing an instrument that feels just like a full-fledged guitar. Interactive apps like Jam Tutor turn learning into an interactive game, which is a lot of fun. Also, with the new Jamstik+, you can keep your iPad connected to the internet, so in the future you could learn with friends, or jam online.
Price and Availability
Jamstik+ will cost $300 when it goes on sale. If you’re just looking for a portable guitar that acts as a MIDI controller, Jamstik+ may be your answer. It’s a whole lot of fun, and the newest version only adds to that. The company’s Kickstarter has already met its goal, but there’s still almost a month left to go. Estimated shipping for the first wave is June 2015, and Zivix is already working on a left-handed version.
