Zivix Jamstik Studio User manual

Scan the QR Code above or go to jamstik.com/start
for detailed guides, video tutorials, and free software downloads.
User Manual
Before using the unit, carefully read the “Important Safety
Instructions” present in this manual.

WARNING:
The user must have appropriate understanding of Lithium-Ion batteries before purchase. Use caution when working
with and using Lithium-Ion batteries as they are very sensitive to charging characteristics and may explode, burn, or
cause a fire if misused or mishandled. Always charge in or on a fire-proof surface. Never leave batteries charging
unattended. This battery is sold for the use of system integrations with proper protection circuitry or battery packs
with a battery management system or PCB (circuit board/module). Buyer is responsible for any damage or injury
caused by misuse or mishandling Lithium-Ion batteries and chargers. Charge only with a smart charger designed for
this specific type of Lithium-Ion battery.
Misusing or mishandling Lithium-Ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury, property damage, or death
BATTERIES MAY EXPLODE, BURN, OR CAUSE A FIRE IF MISUSED OR MISHANDLED
ONLY use within manufacturer specification
DO NOT store loose in pocket, purse, etc. – always use a protective case
KEEP AWAY from metal objects to prevent short circuiting
DO NOT short circuit
DO NOT use if wrapper or insulator is damaged or torn
DO NOT use if damaged in any way
DO NOT overcharge or over-discharge
DO NOT modify, disassemble, puncture, cut, crush, or incinerate
DO NOT expose to liquids or high temperatures
DO NOT solder
User must be familiar with handling Lithium-Ion batteries before purchase
Usage of batteries is AT YOUR OWN RISK
Please read these instructions and heed all warnings. Keep them in a convenient location and make sure everyone in
the household is aware of them.
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Clean with a damp or dry soft cloth. Do not use household cleaners or solvents as they may damage the finish on
your Jamstik.
6. Do not use or store near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that
produce heat.
7. Refer all servicing to Jamstik/Zivix qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cable or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
•Under the limited warranty, your guitar is protected for 1 year from the original purchase date and may not be
transferred to subsequent owners.
•When possible, store your guitar in its case to keep it protected and limit extreme hot or cold exposure.
•It may be necessary to adjust the truss rod to compensate for climate and humidity changes that can
occur in transit. For further information, visit jamstik.com/start
Important Safety Information
•Apple, iPad, iPhone, Mac, iOS and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
•Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
•Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
•Jamstik is a registered trademark of Zivix LLC.
•All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Battery Warnings & Proper Care
Trademarks
Warranty & Registration
Other Guitar Care Instructions
Safety and Compliance information continued on page 13

Welcome to your new MIDI guitar! For the best user
experience, please make sure to read through the important
quick-start information, and don't hesitate to reach out to our
support team with any questions along the way.
The Jamstik MIDI guitar was built as a plug-and-play controller
and works out of the box with any software that accepts MIDI
input from 3rd party controllers. For fine-tuning, you may want
to adjust your Jamstik’s settings to match the DAW, plugin,
app, or hardware synth you’re pairing with. To get set up
please visit jamstik.com/start
Table of Contents
For detailed instructional videos, like how to restring your guitar, how to
properly adjust your string height, and updated information not covered in this
manual, please visit jamstik.com/start
For more help and troubleshooting, visit jamstik.com/support or email
[email protected]
Welcome
Getting To Know Your Instrument
Guitar Setup Instructions
Connectivity
Software Guide
Quick Tips
Settings Glossary
Safety & Compliance
2
3
4
6
7
8
13
1

Locking Nut
Guitar Neck
Fretboard
Guitar Body
Humbucker
Pickups
Volume
Knob with
Coil Tap
3-Way
Pickup Switch
Bridge
I/O Panel
Tuning
Handle
Tuners
Hexaphonic
MIDI Pickup
Guitar Strap
Peg
Truss Rod
Adjustment Cavity
Guitar
Strap Peg
Headstock
Guitar Neck
Fretboard
Guitar Body
Humbucker
Pickup Single Coil
Pickups
5-Way
Pickup Switch
Bridge
I/O Panel
Tuners
Hexaphonic
MIDI Pickup
Guitar Strap
Peg
Truss Rod
Adjustment
Guitar
Strap Peg
Volume Knob
Tone Knobs
Jamstik Studio
Jamstik Classic
I/O Panel
Getting to Know Your Instrument
Parts of the Guitar
USB-C
Port
Power
1/4”
Analog Out
Charging
Indicator LED
3.5MM TRS MIDI Out
(Not an Audio/AUX Out)
2

•Your guitar may need to be tuned upon shipment, and subsequently over time.
•Tuning is critical for optimal MIDI performance. We recommend checking your
guitar’s tuning before each use for best results.
•For the headless Jamstik Studio, your guitar is tuned at the bridge rather than the
headstock. Use the built-in tuning handle at the bridge to rotate the tuners up to
correct tension.
•The headstock Jamstik Classic is tuned like a standard electric guitar by turning the
tuning pegs on the headstock by hand.
•The Jamstik may require correct tuning before successful MIDI connection and
tuning can be done with a traditional guitar tuner method or the software tuner over
MIDI in Jamstik Software once properly connected
Guitar Setup Instructions
Keeping Your Guitar Tuned
Optional Step - Adjusting the MIDI Pickup
•The MIDI Pickup was calibrated at the factory, but you may find that you want to make
fine adjustments to accommodate your personal playing style/preferences.
Maintaining the proper spacing between the MIDI pickup and string is crucial for
optimal performance.
▪To test and adjust the pickup height, press your finger down on the 3rd or 4th
string and fret the highest note. Then measure the distance between the
pickup and the string. The distance should be around 1mm—which is the
width of the included guitar pick. The distance should be slightly greater than
1mm on strings 1, 2, 5, and 6.
▪If the pickup and strings are not at this spacing, use the included hex key to
either raise or lower the midi pickup.
▪You may also want to adjust individual string heights or fine-tune your pickup.
You can use the velocity readouts in any DAW’s MIDI roll or the calibration
section of the Jamstik Creator as a guide and watch our video tutorials on
jamstik.com/start or jamstik.com/support for extra assistance.
3
Jamstik Studio Jamstik Classic
1mm

•Fully charge the Jamstik before first powering on using any 2.0A or above USB-A
wall charger or a powered USB-A port on your computer.
•The indicator LED will light up orange while charging, and turn green when
charging is completed.
•For best MIDI performance and latest features/improvements, make sure to
keep your Jamstik MIDI Guitar’s firmware updated.
•Firmware can be updated with Jamstik Software found at jamstik.com/update
on desktop and mobile.
•It is recommended to update firmware on desktop over USB for best update
speed.
•To power on, hold the power button for 1 second. The LED indicator will pulse red at
startup, blink green when ready to pair, and appear solid green when connected.
•To power OFF, hold the power button for 1 second and release.
Charging & Powering Up
Firmware Update
Connect and Pair
USB-C
Port
Power
1/4”
Analog Out
Charging
Indicator LED
3.5MM TRS MIDI Out
(Not an Audio/AUX Out)
•Connect using the included USB cable or a comparable data-enabled
cable.
•The Power Button will display a solid green state when connected.
•You may also connect over Bluetooth MIDI on Mac by turning on your Jamstik and
opening the Audio MIDI Setup Program, Selecting Window --> Show MIDI Studio in
the top bar, then selecting MIDI Studio --> Open Bluetooth Configuration in the top
bar, and finally clicking the Connect button next to your Jamstik.
•Bluetooth MIDI is not natively supported on Windows but may be possible with
additional third-party software/hardware.
Mac/PC MIDI over USB (Recommended)
Connectivity
4

•The Jamstik must be connected through Bluetooth MIDI in-app and can’t
connect through the device system Bluetooth settings.
•Power on your Jamstik, then select your Jamstik in the Bluetooth MIDI
connection menu in the Jamstik mobile app for iOS/Android or other Bluetooth
MIDI mobile app.
iOS/Android over Bluetooth MIDI
Connectivity
•To download the latest Jamstik mobile app, visit jamstik.com/connect
•The Jamstik MIDI Guitar can be played as a standard electric guitar though an
amplifier or audio interface.
•Use a 1/4” instrument cable to connect the guitar to the amp or interface. A USB
Audio interface is the easiest way to get your guitar’s traditional audio onto your
computer and can be used simultaneously with the MIDI output.
•The Jamstik MIDI Guitar is a class-compliant MIDI device, therefore it works
with other class-compliant, MIDI-compatible hardware & software.
•Included with your Jamstik is a 3.5mm TRS-MIDI adapter. This can be used in
conjunction with a standard 5-pin MIDI cable to control hardware keyboards or
anything with a 5-pin MIDI in.
•If you are not sure if the 3rd party device supports MIDI input from external
controllers, we recommend contacting the manufacturer of the device to
confirm compatibility.
Utilizing MIDI Third Party Compatible Hardware
Connecting to an Amp or Audio Interface
Home
Instrument
Capo
+1
-1
EADGBe
Octave
Tuning
Connection
Settings
BluetoothMIDI DevicesJamstik
100%941 AM
BLUETOOTHMIDI DEVICES
1 DEVICE FOUND
JSM000123 Not Connected
Input/Output
5

Software Guide
Jamstik Mobile Apps
Jamstik Desktop Software
Your Jamstik MIDI Guitar comes with software for Mac, PC & mobile. Make sure to
download the compatible software for the best possible playing experience with sounds
designed specifically for the Jamstik.
Jamstik Desktop Software is provided as a free complimentary download and serves as
both a utility application for adjusting your guitar's settings and is also a full hybrid
synthesizer designed from scratch to harness the performance capabilities and dynamic
nuances of the Jamstik MIDI Guitar.
•Your Jamstik MIDI Guitar should be recognized by most DAW software.
•It is recommended to connect to the computer before starting up the software.
•Once you have opened up the software, create a new MIDI track, assign a MIDI
instrument or plugin and you will be playing sound in no time.
•Make sure that the third party software settings and your Jamstik’s device settings
such as MIDI Mode, MIDI Channels, Pitch Bend Range, and String Envelope Mapping
match for best performance.
•For walk-throughs and videos on setting up the Jamstik MIDI Guitar and Jamstik
Creator with your DAW or third-party software, go to jamstik.com/dawsetup
Utilizing MIDI Third Party Compatible Software
The Jamstik mobile apps allow you to change settings, update firmware, connect to your
mobile device, play sounds on the fly, and more. To download the latest Jamstik mobile
apps, visit jamstik.com/software.
Included Software
•You can download Jamstik Desktop Software as a
standalone desktop app for Mac/PC or as a plugin
for your DAW at jamstik.com/software
•You may need at least 5GB of disc space for full
installation.
Enabling MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression)
•By default, the Jamstik MIDI Guitar is in Single Channel MIDI Mode. To change MIDI
modes, go to Device Settings using Jamstik software.
•You can also switch between MIDI Modes by quickly double pressing on the power
button while the Jamstik is turned on.
6

Quick Tips
If using a third-party USB cable for connection, please ensure the
cable is data-enabled. For example, a Mac USB-C charging cable will
not transfer MIDI data.
Wireless headphones & speakers cause a delay. Always use wired
audio output from your connected device for the best playing
experience.
Lower the Buffer Rate in your DAW: Latency is one of the biggest
barriers to getting MIDI devices to perform the way you want them
to. Ensure that your device and software are set to the most responsive
settings. Additionally, close any other software programs running in the
background on your device.
Proper tuning is essential for optimal MIDI performance with the
Jamstik. The Jamstik is able to accept alternate tunings as low as C
Standard tuning (C-F-A#-D#-G-C).
The 3.5mm jack on your guitar is for TRS-MIDI messages only and
will not output audio into speakers or headphones.
If MIDI output is not behaving as expected, make sure you are matching
Pitch Bend Range and MIDI Channel Mode with your Jamstik and
external software/hardware. You may also want to change your
Jamstik’s String Envelope Mapping or disable String Envelope Send if you
are getting unwanted MIDI distortion or other extra signals.
If you are experiencing excess noise from the analog output when
connected via USB, you can use a USB noise isolator when connecting
both ports simultaneously. Visit jamstik.com/support for
recommendations and assistance.
•
For best performance, fully charge the Jamstik before first powering on
using any 2.0A or above USB-A wall charger or a powered USB-A port on
your computer.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Not Recommended
7

Settings Glossary
8
The following are a selection of Jamstik MIDI Device settings and their applications.
For an up-to-date guide reflecting the latest firmware, visit jamstik.com/devicesettings
MIDI Settings
MIDI Settings control what the Jamstik sends to external devices such as DAWs,
notation software, software synthesizers, and other hardware devices that connect to
your Jamstik.If you experience unexpected sounds/results with other programs/syn-
thesizers, make sure these settings match the settings in the third-party
software/hardware.
MIDI Mode
MIDI Mode can be set to either MPE, Multi-Channel, or Single Channel. This changes
the channels that the Jamstik sends MIDI through. To use the Jamstik with other
synthesizers/programs/hardware, the Jamstik must be sending MIDI data through
channels that the third-party device is looking for.
Mode descriptions and use cases:
Single Channel Mode: Single Channel Mode sends MIDI only on MIDI channel 1.
Many older MIDI devices and pieces of software are only set up to receive MIDI
on channel 1 and many default to only listen for channel 1. Setting the Jamstik's
MIDI Mode to single channel limits the ability to send detailed string specific
messages such as per-string string bend.
If possible, it is preferred to look in your third-party's manual/support guides to
change those settings to accept simultaneous input from channels 1-6 (or 1-7)
instead of using the Jamstik's Single Channel Mode if you are attempting to
track pitch bend or string envelope on multiple strings.
Multi-Channel Mode: Multi-Channel Mode sends MIDI over 6 MIDI Channels. By
default, these will be channels 1-6, though this can be changed withthe First
MIDI Channel setting. This mode is ideal for third-party devices that are not fully
MPE-compatible but still allow MIDI input through multiple channels.
This allows the Jamstik to send pitch bend and expression on a
per-string/per-channel basis. You can also use this mode to target MIDI
channels in third-party software tosplit instruments per string.
MPE Mode: MPE Mode sends MIDI using the MPE MIDI standard. Strings are
sent over channels 2-7 and channel 1 is reserved for additional MPE-specific
MIDI messages.
MPE Mode allows for the most expressive output from the Jamstik, but should
only be used withMPE compatible hardware and software.

Settings Glossary
9
First MIDI Channel
First MIDI Channel controls what channel or channels MIDI notes are being sent on
from the Jamstik. In Multi-Channel Mode - this will change the channel of the lowest
string. For example, if First MIDI Channel is set to 9, MIDI will be sent on channels: 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. In Single Channel Mode - this will change the channel that all
MIDI is sent on. In MPE Mode - this value cannot be changed in order to follow the
MPE standard.
Pitch Bend Send
Pitch Bend Send controls whether the Jamstik sends pitch bend data. In single-chan-
nel and multi-channel modes, pitch bend is sent through traditional MIDI pitch bend
methods. In MPE Mode, pitch bend is sent through MPE-specific protocols.
Pitch Bend Range
Pitch Bend Range changes the values that the Jamstik sends for pitch bend. It isvital
for best performance that this value matches the value that your third-party device is
looking for. If it does not, bending strings will result in notes that do not match the
pitch of what you are playing.
MPE software/hardware should automatically default to +/- 48. By default, changing
MIDI Modes to MPE will change your Jamstik's pitch bend range to +/- 48. However, if
you encounter an MPE program with a different pitch bend range (such as +/- 24) you
can change your pitch bend range and stay in MPE mode.
Most non-MPE MIDI software/hardware, default to a pitch bend range of +/-2. If you
want to record or play with a piece of software and bend more than 2 semitones (2
frets worth) on the Jamstik, you will need to set a higher pitch bend range in Jamstik
devices settingsand change your third-party software/hardware pitch bend range to
match.Without matching pitch bend ranges, bending strings will result in notes that
are not accurate to the pitch of what is being played on the guitar.
String Envelope Send
String Envelope Send sends amplitude/aftertouch information from the Jamstik to
other MIDI Devices. The pickups in the Jamstik detect the amplitude of a note over
time. String Envelope Send uses that time-decreasing value and sends it through
MIDI. This can be used similarly to how Channel Pressure, Press, or Aftertouch is
used on other MIDI devices. It can also be mapped to volume or other CC parameters
in String Envelope Mapping to transform MIDI instruments to follow the dynamics of
your guitar by matching the volume/amplitude of your strings as all times.
If you are experiencing "glitching" noises or rapid fluctuations in third-party synthesiz-
ersit may be a result of the synthesizer reading string envelope messages from
multiple strings at the same time and applying it to the same control. Many default
instruments in Logic Pro have this issue and this can be resolved by either mapping
string envelope to a value that the synthesizer accepts on multiple strings or by
turning string envelope send off while using these synthesizers.

Settings Glossary
10
String Envelope Mapping
String Envelope Mapping changes how String Envelope data from String Envelope
Send is sent through MIDI. Jamstik settings programs will have some preset values to
choose from for mapping and you can also type most MIDI CC numbers in the input
box in Jamstik Creator to assign String Envelope to other values as well.
Default values and use cases:
CC11: Expression - CC11 Expression is a control that has traditionally been
triggered in MIDI systems by an expression pedal and is often mapped to
various modulations/effects/volume.
By default, the Jamstik Creator looks for CC11: Expression for a variety of
default presets that use the Oscillator's "Expression Volume Mod" control
under Envelopes.
Channel Pressure - Channel Pressure or the MPE z-axis, is used similarly to a
traditional aftertouch control in MIDI, where a midi note changes modula-
tions/effects/volume based on how hard a user presses down on a note
after the initial strike.
In the case of the Jamstik, since this is mapped to the string envelope, the
value will always decrease over time rather than increase as it would with a
harder push on other MPE controllers. Often this will create desired effects
but rarely this will not work as intended and you may want to turn off or
reassign String Envelope for certain third-party MPE patches.
CC7: Volume - CC7 is generally used for volume and in many third-party
software/hardware synthesizers will change the overall volume of a sound
being played.
While this will work for many third-party synthesizers, some will map this to
master volume in a way that will make messages from multiple strings
contradict with each other and cause rapid fluctuations in volume as volume
messages from multiple strings are being read at once.
CC71: Sound Control 2 - CC71 Sound Control 2 is a value that is used in
some MIDI synthesizers for resonance. This and the surrounding Sound
Control values (70 - 79) may already be mapped to interesting values in your
synthesizer and may produce favorable results with the Jamstik.
Octaves / Octave Transpose
This control will pitch shift the MIDI output up or down octaves (12 semitones) based
on the positive or negative value. Transposing the octave down may be helpful for
playing bass synthesizers while keeping standard guitar tuning.

Settings Glossary
11
Semitones / Semitone Transpose / Virtual Capo
This control will pitch shift the MIDI output up or down semitones based on the
positive or negative value. Changing this value will make it so that the notes you are
playing on your guitar will NOT match the notes being played in MIDI.
If you want to use a physical capo on your Jamstik, there is no need to change any
device settings and this value should stay at 0.
String Sensitivity
String Sensitivity can be changed per-string on a scale from 1-10. It is worth noting
that the lowest note/thickest string is labeled as String 6 while the highest note/thin-
nest string is String 1.
String Sensitivity does not changestring velocities (changing this value will not make
notes you play louder or quieter though midi). Instead, string sensitivity changes how
likely it is that a note will be registered as a midi note. If you are experiencing extra
notes being played that are unwanted, change the value to be lower. If the Jamstik is
missing notes, change the value to be higher.
If changing these values do not improve the note detection of the Jamstik, you may
want toAdjust String Height and MIDI Pickup On The Jamstik. (A guide for this can be
found at jamstik.com/start)
String Open Note Tuning
String Open Note Tuning changes what tuning the Jamstik's note detection is
expecting your guitar to be tuned to. It is important that this value matches your
Jamstik's tuning. If it does not, the Jamstik may ignore notes below the Open Note
Tuning Range.
You can use one of the common tuning presets (the most common guitar tuning
being E Standard), or you can set any tuning you like. However, at very low tunings
there may be some performance degradation.
Sleep Timer Wired/Battery
This controls how many minutes of inactivity can occur before the MIDI Guitar
switches into sleep mode.
Wired applies to when the Jamstik is connected over USB to a powered USB port
while battery applies to all other types of connection when not connected to power
(Bluetooth or TRS-MIDI). Setting this value to 0 or infinity will disable the sleep timer.

Settings Glossary
12
Bluetooth Enable
Turning this off will disable the Jamstik's Bluetooth radio. It isnot recommendedand
disables wireless connection for the Jamstik. It may be useful for specific, rare studio
scenarios in which a Bluetooth radio could cause interference.
Left-Handed Mode
This sets your Jamstik to left-handed mode and switches the fretboard display in
Jamstik apps. If you purchased a left-handed model, this should be enabled by
default. If it is not, you can turn it on with this option. If you bought a non-left-handed
guitar and you want to use it left-handed, turn this option on and follow the stepsat
jamstik.com/start to restring your guitar to match left-handed patterns.
Transcription Mode
Transcription mode improves accuracy and filters out unwanted MIDI notes at the
cost of adding 30-40 extra milliseconds of latency and disabling some performance
features like hammer-ons. This mode is primarily meant for recording rather than
performing and a lower buffer size and ASIO drivers on Windows is strongly recom-
mended in this mode.
Demo Mode
Demo mode is a feature designed for exhibition use that resets a Jamstik's settings
after a period of inactivity. You can change the amount of time between resets and
whether it changes back to a single channel or MPE mode.
Reset to Factory Settings
This option will reset all settings on your Jamstik to factory defaults and reset the
Jamstik. If you are having issues with your Jamstik this may be a solution. If you
cannot access this setting and your Jamstik will not turn on or operate properly,
instead hold the power button for 75 seconds and the Jamstik will force restore.

Safety & Compliance
Operating Temperature
Storage Temperature
Battery Type
Battery Size
Battery Life
Inputs
Recharging
Charging Time
41º to 95º F (5º to 35º C)
32º to 86º F (-20º to 30º C)
Efest IMR 18650 Lithium-Ion
2600mAh 35A
10 hours on full charge
USB for charging
Recharge with the included USB cable connected
to any 0.5A or higher USB power adapter (7.5 W
(5V/1.5A) or above recommended)
100% in 4 hours with a 2.0A USB charger
203-JN0874R 203-JN0509R
This product operates in the 2.4GHz band.
The radio module is certified under the following RF certification standards:
-FCC: WAP3034 / WAP2011
-ISED: 7922A-3034 / 7922A-2011
-MIC: 203-JN0874 / 203-JN0509
-CE
Caution:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
RF Certification
Battery Information
For additional and updated safety and compliance information, please visit: jamstik.com/documentation
Conformity and Safety
For detailed instructional videos, like how to restring your guitar, how to properly adjust your string height
for best pickup performance & updated information not covered in this manual, visit jamstik.com/start,
jamstik.com/support or email [email protected]
13

©Zivix LLC All Rights Reserved
Jamstik is a trademark of Zivix, LLC
jamstik.com
Contact our Customer Experience
Team at: suppor[email protected] or
submit a ticket at: jamstik.com/support
or by phone:[phone]
@Jamstik @Jamstik @Jamstik @JamstikGuitars
6326 Cambridge Street
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
612-225-0096