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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Do I need to understand music theory to use JUMP?
- What's so clever about the random buttons?
- Why doesn't JUMP deal directly with audio?
- Why should I use JUMP rather than a conventional sequencer?
- Why only twelve tracks?
- Can I use JUMP to control my MIDI hardware?
- Can I use VST instruments with JUMP?
- What is a Virtual MIDI Cable?
- Can I sync external hardware to JUMP?
- Can I sync other software to JUMP?
- What's the difference between the demo and full version?
- How much does the full version of JUMP cost?
- What is authorisation?
- How do I authorise my copy?
- Can I authorise both my laptop and desktop without paying twice?
- What happens if I change my computer?
- Can I download "A Guide to Using JUMP"?
- Why does JUMP sound so bad on my PC?
- Why does JUMP look so complicated?
- How do I remove JUMP from my computer?
- How do I update my old version of JUMP?
Also see the Guide to Using JUMP, Tips and Tutorials.
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Do I need to
understand music theory to use JUMP?
Not really, because JUMP automates several aspects of the
composition process and tries to present you with choices
that make musical sense. JUMP can also make things really
easy for you by automatically adapting melodies, chordal
accompaniments and bass lines to fit the chord
arrangement.
If you explore JUMP's randomisation functions, you'll hopefully discover that it's possible to create and refine interesting and emotive music with little or no knowledge of music theory.
Check out the Starting a New Song tutorial for a quick tour of JUMP.
What's so
clever about the random buttons?
The many random buttons found throughout JUMP are not
entirely random in behaviour. They often trigger fairly
complex code that attempts to generate musically useful
material. Obviously, you still need to manually refine
things and judge what does and doesn't work; but the
Random buttons can provide inspiration and a real boost
to your productivity. In practice, you can repeatedly
click a Random button until you find something that
roughly fits the bill then make final adjustments using
the other controls.
Together with other JUMP capabilities, the random buttons makes it possible to create, for example, an eight bar melody in E minor complete with chordal accompaniment, an evolving bassline and 16th groove drums in just one or two minutes. Perhaps more importantly, you can then easily explore variations of the material and quickly develop simple ideas into larger musical forms.
If you hate the whole idea of computer assisted music composition then you can of course completely ignore the Random buttons and construct everything manually.
Why doesn't
JUMP deal directly with audio?
JUMP
uses MIDI
to control hardware or software synthesizers that produce
the actual sound. This lets JUMP concentrate on the
purely musical aspects of composition, leaving the audio
side of things open to a wide range of highly capable
tools from other developers.
Why should I
use JUMP rather than a conventional sequencer?
JUMP is designed to complement conventional MIDI / audio
sequencers rather than compete with them.
JUMP's hierarchical organisation, intelligent handling of harmony and extensive randomisation functions make it great for generating instant inspiration and quickly building the basic musical structure of a song; but it can't record MIDI or import MIDI files or do any of the audio production jobs that a conventional sequencer is designed for, so ideally you should have both tools available.
MIDI data can be easily transfered from JUMP to a conventional sequencer using the Export function or via a Virtual MIDI Cable. JUMP can also transmit MIDI Clock Sync information to enable a conventional sequencer to synchronise with JUMP.
Why only twelve
tracks?
JUMP's design is highly streamlined, often favouring
simplicity over functionality.
Many functions like track management have been omitted on purpose, so that your energy is focused on the core musical aspects of a song. When you need more than 12 tracks it's time to use the Export function to transfer your song to a conventional sequencer.
Can I use JUMP
to control my MIDI hardware?
Yes,
providing your hardware is connected to your computer via
a MIDI interface. Use the Mix Page Channel and Port controls to
configure each track's MIDI output.
Can I use VST
instruments with JUMP?
Although
JUMP can't directly host VST instruments, a Virtual MIDI Cable can be used to route
JUMP's MIDI outputs to other MIDI programs that can. It's
also easy to Export JUMP songs (as standard MIDI
files) to a conventional VST compatible sequencer for
further editing and audio production work.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
What is a Virtual MIDI Cable?
A
Virtual MIDI Cable is a software utility that enables the
MIDI output of one program to be routed to the MIDI input
of another program.
Visit Useful Links to download a freeware Virtual MIDI Cable.
Can I sync external hardware to JUMP?
Yes,
enable JUMP's transmit MIDI Clock Sync option and configure
your external hardware to sync to incoming MIDI Clock.
Can I sync other software to JUMP?
Yes,
use a Virtual MIDI Cable to connect
JUMP's output to the other program's MIDI input, then
enable JUMP's transmit MIDI Clock Sync option and configure
the other program to sync to incoming MIDI Clock.
Because JUMP can transmit MIDI Clock Sync to a VST host, VST instruments and effects can synchronise with JUMP using standard VST tempo sync.
What's the
difference between the demo and full version?
The demo version places a time limit on each session and
all save functions plus tracks 3, 6, 9 and 12 and
sections I, J, K and L are disabled.
Note when the time limit expires you can run JUMP again immediately, but unfortunately you will have lost your data.
How much does
the full version of JUMP cost?
To see how much the full version of JUMP costs, visit the
Buy page and choose a currency at
the bottom of the page.
What is
authorisation?
Authorisation converts the demo into the full version (on
a specific computer). This involves entering a short
"Authorisation Key" to unlock the additional
features, you do not need to download any additional
software.
Authorisation offers the following benefits...
- No time limit
- Save function enabled
- Save As function enabled
- Export to MIDI file function enabled
- Save As Default function enabled
- 50% more tracks
- 50% more sections
- Unlimited email support
- Multiple authorisation keys
- Priority notification of free updates
- Substantial discounts on any future major updates
How do I
authorise my copy?
Run the demo on the computer you will be using and click
on the Options button, select Authorisation from the pop-up
menu to obtain a "Request Code" then go to the
website Buy page.
You can use any computer to access the website, you do not need to have an Internet connection on the computer that will be running JUMP. The Request Code and Authorisation Key are only 8 characters long so it's easy to transfer them between computers by hand.
Can I authorise
both my laptop and desktop without paying twice?
Yes, please email your additional Request Code to support@hardnote.com.
What happens if
I change my computer?
We will happily provide any reasonable quantity of
additional authorisation keys to genuine customers as
they are required.
Can I download
"A Guide to Using JUMP"?
The Guide is the help documentation for the JUMP program
and so is included in the demo download.
Why does JUMP
sound so bad on my PC?
By default, JUMP uses the General MIDI synthesizer that's
included with most PCs. Unfortunately, some of these are
of rather poor quality.
One very common software synthesizer suffers from timing problems (see Troubleshooting for tips on how to work around these problems).
Better results can be obtained by using other software synthesizers (via a Virtual MIDI Cable) or external MIDI hardware. Alternatively, you can export your composition to a conventional sequencer for final arrangement and mastering.
Why does JUMP
look so complicated?
It looks more complicated than it really is because many
controls are repeated for each of the twelve tracks. In
fact, compared to a conventional sequencer, JUMP is very
straightforward and easy to master. See A Guide to
Using JUMP for detailed help including an easy to
follow tutorial called Starting a New Song.
How do I remove
JUMP from my computer?
Go to the Windows Control Panel and run Add or Remove
Programs, then select JUMP in the list of installed
applications.
How do I update
my old version of JUMP?
Simply download and install
the most recent demo, it will automatically install over
the top of your old version. You will not need to repeat
the authorisation for a minor version update.
Also see the Guide to Using JUMP, Tips and Tutorials.
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