Like the original JamMan, the Stec Special software allows the system to be controlled via MIDI program change messages. Using program change messages can be extremely handy if you already use a MIDI foot controller to control other pieces of gear. The assignment of program change messages to JamMan functions is based on MIDI foot controllers which are organized in pages of 10 (like the Lexicon MPX RG2). With these types of foot controllers, the first page provides access to the various "Functions" of the JamMan while the second page handles channel and page selection. Wherever possible, the map matches the original JamMan, there's just a lot more here.
The following table shows assignments of MIDI program numbers to Stec Special ROM functions. Note that both "0 based" and "1 based" program numbers are listed (MIDI program change messages start at program 0 but some foot controllers call it 1 and call 1, 2, etc...):
| 0 based | 1 based | Assignment |
| 0 | 1 | Tap |
| 1 | 2 | Loop Reset |
| 2 | 3 | Bypass |
| 3 | 4 | Toggle Replace |
| 4 | 5 | Toggle Layer |
| 5 | 6 | Click On/Off |
| 6 | 7 | Destructive Channel Fade |
| 7 | 8 | Main Fade |
| 8 | 9 | Slap On/Off |
| 9 | 10 | unassigned |
| 10 | 11 | Tap |
| 11 | 12 | Select Page 1 |
| 12 | 13 | Select Page 2 |
| 13 | 14 | Select Page 3 |
| 14 | 15 | Select Page 4 |
| 15 | 16 | Stop/Start loop |
| 16 | 17 | Select Channel 1 |
| 17 | 18 | Select Channel 2 |
| 18 | 19 | Select Channel 3 |
| 19 | 20 | Select Channel 4 |
The following is an example of a typical MIDI foot controller being used to control a JamMan with the Stec Special software installed:
| Note: After using the system with the program changes arranged in this way, I've noticed some problems with it. I find that I tend to work within a single Page with 3 or 4 loops/channels active. With the current arrangement, you edit from the first MIDI controller bank but have to swith to the second bank of program changes to select a different loop/channel to edit. On more than one occasion I hit the Page 3 button thinking I was going into the Replace mode when instead I was initializing a new Page. Ooops. On the next software version, I will either change the defined assignments or add program changes to the Learn mode so the assignments can be changed. Any feedback on this would be appreciated. - Bob 1-24-99 |