What Have These Jams Done For You?

I want to get in on a jam myself. Waiting for another hard rock/metal jam.

Question, are all the jams improvising leads over backing tracks or do we ever improvise rhythm stuff?

This one started as a forum jam, I did the bass, rhythm guitar, banjo and mandolin. Others played slide, lead and vocals, I added some more slide and it ended up as a song :D
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=213596&songID=3297354

Another backing track created by a member
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=383264&songID=2720691

And this was done over a backing track by Noah Roberts a few years ago
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=383264&songID=2710296

I would love to see more members create backing track for the jam forum..kind of kick it up a notch :twisted:

Basically, these collaborative recordings put you in the position of the average lead guitarist - you've got that much time to let rip.

For that 40 seconds, you're Alex Lifeson, Brian May, Slash, <insert name of hero here> and everybody's listening to you, worldwide.

Best,

Egomaniac-Al :-)

Question -

I am interested in getting in on one of these jams, but I'm not used to recording myself.

I see that many use Audacity, but are you recording through a mic or are you plugged in direct to your computer?

The two most used free recording SW are Audacity and Kristal Audio Engine (that I prefer as it works best with lowcost soundcards). Many players connect the electric guitar to the soundcard line-in port via a distorsion/overdrive guitar pedal or virtual Amp/cabinet emulator ( V-amp , Line pod).
Others use a mic ( with pre-amp or mixer) to "mic" their guitar amp.
A third method is to connect the line-out or headphone out on the guitar amp to line-in port of the soundcard.

Thanks. I'll see what I can come up with. I'll look for the best (and least expensive) way to plug direct to the computer.

I've only managed one so far but had a great time doing it.

What have I got out of it?

Discipline - having to get your point across, musically speaking, in quite a tight time frame.

Creativity - having the confidence to go with the flow and improvise.

Recording - kind of speaks for itself really but its a useful skill to have for practicing as well as online jamming.

Sense of achievement - it's great feeling listening to the finished article.

Enjoyment - the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Almost.

I'm busy looking for a new job at the moment but the minute things have settled down a bit I'll definitely be taking part in more jams.

I recommend it to everyone.

8)

Would something like this work?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-JamLab-Personal-Guitar-System?sku=241104

Or would I have trouble playing with the backing track?

I have absolutely no experience with MIDI. You mentioned that I may be able to run from my current amp to my comp. I don't have a "headphone" jack, I have this:

"Rear-panel inputs and outputs: 1/4" effects loop send, 1/4" effects loop return, 1/4" line output, 1/4" external speaker output"

Would I use the effects send or the external speaker to send to my sound card?

I guess I should ask, what would you buy (cheapest but decent sounding solution) to connect my amp (Rivera Clubster) to my computer?

Thanks!

That USB unit you have linked is pretty neat looking. You might contact the manufacturer about specifics, but it has software included that allows you to download a WAV or mp3 file and play along with it. I didn't see where you could record what you play, but if it has that, then that might work. Basically, as in the "How to..." thread about doing these collaborations, you download the backing track into whatever software you have, then record yourself playing your solo or part. Then you separate the solo and send that to the person who's compiling everything.

With your amp, you could use the effects send or the line out. I'd probably just use the line out as a first choice.

Line out and the effects send is usually just the straight signal from the preamp portion of your amp. It won't have any of the added tone that your speakers might give it so it might sound a little sterile and fuzzy. Another option, to avoid this, is to get one of those USB mics they have now and mic your amp up.

Email the manufacturer of that unit you linked to; if you can record with it and save your part separately, then it should work. Other than that, the freeware mentioned above would work fine.

Thanks everyone. I got it. I reallized that I have a Tascam Guitar Trainer which has a line-out. With the GT I can select different tones and effects and such, so I thought I would give it a try. I stopped off at Radio Shack on the way home and picked up a speaker cable for $5. I took me just a few minutes to download Audacity when I got home and was recording in no time. Fantastic! I love it. It may not be the best quality, but it will serve the purpose. This is going to be fun. Thanks for helping me get started.

And to return to the topic, that is what "online jams and collaborations" has done for me!