A series of helpful videos can be foundon our
YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/HubHed
Q: I don't own electric drums yet, can I use a JamHub with acoustic drums?
A: Yes! In fact, things still sound clear and controlled. Just hang a mic or two above the drum kit and plug that into the JamHub. Or, use a small mixer and three mics to create a great stereo drum sound. We recommend a mic above the snare, a mic above the toms and a kick drum mic. Pan the two area mics left and right, put the kick down the middle and send the stereo mix into one of the JamHub sections. Because the drums don't need to compete with amps the sound quality is great. Go to our forum to learn about when we tested this setup while developing the JamHub product line. back to top Q: If I use acoustic drums will the JamHub make them "quiet"? A: No. You'll still have to deal with loud drums, but the overall rehearsal volume can be lower if there isn't a loud bass amp, loud guitar amp(s), a loud keyboard amp and a loud PA competing with one another in the room. And, if you rehearse this way, you'll hear it all better. back to top Q: Can I use an acoustic guitar with a JamHub?
A: Does it have a pickup? If not, put a microphone in front of the guitar and plug the microphone into an open mic input on the JamHub studio.
A: Does it have a pickup? If yes, and you want to go direct, get a mono-to-stereo jack and plug it into the guitar end of your stereo cable. You might find that with one of the new “for acoustics” Direct Inject (DI) boxes or floor pedals, that you like the sound and control of the acoustic better. There are a lot of engineering reasons for using one (impedance matching is the biggest of them), that’s why DI boxes are used by the pros. If you’re going to play an acoustic, you’re going to need a DI box someday. Come by the forum to learn about which ones we've tried and liked.
back to top Q: What instruments do not work with a JamHub studio?
A: We don't know of any yet. There may be some out there, but we haven't found them. Some companies have dedicated their existence to creating instruments that can be played anywhere and anytime ... one even has an electronic accordion line (not just one model, but an entire line of them!!!). Horn players can use silent practice inserts and cases to quiet horns and create a headphone signal that you can send to your JamHub. Guitars, bass, drums, hand percussion, keyboards, accordions, wind instruments, even a thermine will work! Just look for a headphone jack on the gear and you're ready to start jamming quietly with your JamHub studio. back to top Q: Do you have any tips for new users? A: Yes. JamHubs are completely new because we introduced them just this summer. And since we invented them, we know a lot about how to make it easy to get started. Here are our top tips to prep you for your first jam:
- Use good TRS (Stereo) cables and plug the cable going from the JamHub instrument input jack directly into the headphone output jack on your modeling amp, keyboard or drums.
- Get 20 foot headphone extensions so you can move around as much as you want.
- Use good headphones for good listening. The JamHub is acoustically transparent. If your headphones lack quality, the JamHub won't make the headphones sound better.
- Get each player to pick up a microphone, even if they don't sing. Once you put on the headphones and enter the silent rehearsal studio environment, you can't hear the outside world very well. It's easier to communicate if everyone has a mic and you can hear each other in the headphones.
- Guitarist, a modeling amp with a foot pedal allows you to control the volume of your sound so you can turn up for leads. Make sure you're not clipping the preamp (check the Trim LED for red) at max volume or it will sound distorted. Keyboard players, use your instrument's volume control to do the same.
- Turn down any trim controls of unused sections to minimize outside electromagnetic noise.
back to top Q: Why aren't there EQ knobs? A: A JamHub is not designed to alter your sound, but to distribute it and give you more control over what you want to hear. Create the best possible sound before sending your signal to the JamHub, then use the JamHub to share it with your band mates. back to top Q: Why does the TourBus model record .WAV files? Why doesn't the JamHub encode to MP3?
A: Anytime you compress audio, you lose information and quality can suffer. With the very low cost of RAM we decided to keep the files in a .WAV format, even though they take more room. If you want to compress your files to an MP3 format, simply download one of the free MP3 encoders, like iTunes or WinAmp, and convert the files with a computer. You'll do so knowing that you have good quality files from the start. back to top Q: Why am I only hearing my instrument in my left ear?
A: The JamHub is a stereo listening environment. As mentioned in section three of the 'Quick Start' guide, on page 7 of the Owner's Manual and on the wrapper for the included adapter(s), your JamHub's 1⁄4" instrument inputs are stereo inputs. They use stereo connectors, also called TRS connectors where T (tip) = left, R (ring) = right and S (sleeve) = ground. Standard mono instrument cables use TS connectors where T (tip) = signal and S (sleeve) = ground. When a mono cable is connected to a stereo input, the tip from the mono cable gets to the tip (left) of the stereo input, but the mono cable isn't sending anything to the ring (right) side. This could be why you're only hearing it in the left earpiece.
Nearly all of the devices that we envisioned being connected to JamHubs' instrument inputs (amp modelers, keyboards, e-drums, etc.) have stereo headphone outputs. These can be quickly and easily connected to JamHub stereo inputs with a stereo cable (TRS male on both ends). We offer our own accessory Stereo Connection 5-pack for this very purpose.
As mentioned above, your JamHub comes with 'mono-to-stereo' adapter(s) (one with Bedroom, two with GreenRoom and TourBus). The adapter basically turns a mono cable into a stereo 'dual mono' cable (technically not the same as stereo, but at least you can hear it in both sides). It does so by routing the signal at the tip of your mono cable to both the tip and ring of the adapter, which then plugs into the JamHub. This works well for connecting instruments like electric bass, acoustic/electric guitar or any mono instrument that sounds good on its own when plugged in directly.
back to top Q: Where can I get more of the mono-to-stereo 1/4" adapters?
A: We are not currently offering our adapters as accessories for a couple reasons:
1. JamHubs are specifically designed to be a stereo listening environment for silent rehearsal and in that application, we're trying our best to steer folks toward listening to their instruments/tone sources in stereo, which we think is a WAY better headphone experience than dual-mono. Nearly all of the devices that we envisioned being connected to JamHubs' Instrument inputs (amp modelers, keyboards, e-drums, etc.) have stereo outputs in the form of a headphone output and/or left and right line outputs. We include a couple of the adapters with the GreenRoom for 'emergencies' when someone forgets their stereo cable, or to enable the use of mono sources like acoustic-electric guitars or bass guitars that sound good on their own, but even these can often benefit from the comprehensive tone shaping and effects capabilities that stereo multi-fx processors have to offer.
2. We've found that such adapters are readily available and affordably priced at local and online electronics stores: Radio Shack, and Amazon.
Before going out and buying a bunch more adapters, please consider listening to your sources in stereo. If you wish to tell us the makes & models of the gear that you're connecting, we'd be glad to reply with more specific recommendations and options for getting it all connected. Feel free to drop us an email at info@JamHub.com, we're happy to help.
back to top Q: Can I connect my guitar amp directly to the JamHub...?
A: ...through the Speaker out?
NEVER connect your amp's speaker output jack to anything other than a speaker or other device that can handle a speaker-level signal. Connecting it directly to a JamHub input will quickly cause serious damage to your JamHub and will void your warranty. This can also cause irreparable damage to your guitar amp. This is true even of your guitar amp is a tiny '1 Watt' tube amp.
...through the Line out?
The 'line out' jack on your amp can be connected to a JamHub, but we recommend that you consider the following carefully before doing so:
Using most guitar amps' line outputs doesn't mute the amp's speaker or disengage its circuitry. Amps can suffer damage from running without a speaker (or at least a 'dummy load') connected.
The sound from an amp's line output jack is often very different from what you're used to hearing from that amp's speaker. Unless it's a 'speaker emulating' line output, most guitarists describe it as comparatively 'harsh' or 'thin-sounding'.
The line outputs from most amps usually carry a mono signal. When connecting to a JamHub's stereo instrument input, use an included mono-to-stereo adapter to get the signal into both sides of the headphones.
...through the Headphone out?
Some guitar amps have direct, speaker-simulated headphone outputs that 'mute' the amp's speaker when engaged and sound very good into headphone systems. Those without speaker-emulated outputs tend to sound bright/harsh/tinny compared to the way they sound through the amp's speaker.
We recommend that the best, easiest and most versatile way to get great, 'silent' electric guitar tone with a JamHub is to use an amp modeler like a POD, Boss, DigiTech, ToneLab, Zoom, etc... We've tried them all and they're all great in their own different ways. Feed the stereo headphone output from any of these into a JamHub stereo Instrument input and you're ROCKIN' ALL NIGHT!
back to top Q: Can I mic my amp and then plug the mic into the JamHub?
A: You can mic your amp into any of the JamHub's XLR mic inputs, though using this method may not reduce neighbor complaints. Dramatic variations in the guitar tone can be achieved by experimenting with where the mic is placed relative to the amp's speaker. back to top Q: How about using stomp boxes direct to JamHub?
A: A guitarist can connect 'stomp box' type effects pedals directly to a JamHub. If the last box in the chain has a mono output, you'll want to use an included mono-to-stereo adapter to get the mono signal into both sides of the JamHub stereo input.
For electric guitars, we recommend using an amp modeler (i.e. Line 6 POD, etc.) because they include simulations of the 'amp' and 'speaker' components of guitar tone, as well as lots of built-in effects. Most users find that using only basic stomp boxes with no built-in 'amp' and/or 'speaker' emulation will result in harsh and thin-sounding guitar tone.
Acoustic/electric guitars can go in directly (using an included mono-to-stereo adapter), or through a stereo effects processor.
back to top Q: Is the USB output on TourBus and GreenRoom multi-channel or is it stereo?
A: The USB output carries the stereo mix that you create at the JamHub's 'R' section. It works really well for capturing song ideas, making demos, critiquing the band's performance, etc... Multi-track capability would be a great feature. The challenge is that JamHub models with USB (GreenRoom & TourBus) have 21 audio inputs; a stereo instrument input & a mic input on each section X 7 sections. A good-quality 21-channel USB or firewire audio interface would surely have increased their price significantly.
back to top Q: Can I use a JamHub as a monitor mixer for live performances?
A: JamHubs was designed specifically to offer a simple, affordable and effective solution for rehearsing 'silently'. Many of our customers are using their JamHubs in many other ways, including live performance monitoring with in-ears, etc., by splitting their sources to feed the JamHub and the PA independently. There are some good examples of this on our keyword-searchable online forum[LINK], in case you're interested in learning more. back to top Q: Does adding remotes allow me to add more players?
A: Each SoleMix remote is shaped like a JamHub section, has a headphone output and can access all sections (1 through R) on the JamHub. Unlike those JamHub sections though, remotes don't have inputs. It might help to think of them as 'remote listening stations'. Our original intent for them was to allow musicians whose access to the JamHub is blocked by their gear (drummers, keyboardists, etc.) to create and adjust their mix from where they are playing.
With SoleMix remotes connected to all four ports, a GreenRoom or TourBus is capable of creating 11 unique mixes from whatever sources are connected to the JamHub's seven input sections. A BedRoom with a SoleMix remote connected to its single remote port is capable of creating 6 unique mixes from whatever sources are connected to the JamHub's five input sections.
back to top Q: Why can't I hear the JamHub's built-in effects on instruments?
A: We decided to leave the effects off of the instrument inputs, as the sources that we envisioned being connected there (e-drums, amp modelers, keyboards, etc.) generally have their own effects built-in. The JamHub's built-in effects are fed equally by all of the XLR mic inputs. How much or little of the chosen effect that any section hears is controlled by each section's FX knob, which acts as that section's individual 'effects return'. There is no FX Master send or return knob.
Think of the FX on the XLR microphone inputs as the virtual rehearsal 'room' you are sharing with your bandmates. You can dial in how the room sounds by changing the FX type, and how 'big' the room is by adding more or less of the effect.
back to top Q: Setup Tips: JamHub with Acoustic Drums
A: Sure, e-kits are the answer for rocking out until your ears bleed without disturbing the neighbors, but what about acoustic drums? Can they be used with a JamHub? You bet they can! And bands can enjoy some real benefits from doing so.
At Jamhub, a couple of us are in bands with acoustic drummers and use the JamHub in exactly this way at our practice spaces. "So why use a JamHub" you might ask? The answer is that it allows all of us to hear ourselves and each other much more clearly than we ever did when we practiced in open air. Here's how:
- By just putting on our headphones, we've isolated ourselves a bit from the drums. As soon as there's any music coming through the phones, we really can't hear the drums at all. That is, until we bring them up in our mix.
- Each musician can now choose how much (or little) of the drums they'd like to hear. For example, the drummer and bass player can crank each other up to 'lock in' with the groove while the lead singer can add just enough to hear them without having to SCREAM OVER THEM!
So, how do we get the drums into the JamHub? Our band have tried a few different methods and they all work quite well. Here they are, in order of simplicity:
The 'mono' method: Connect a decent mic to an open JamHub mic input. We've found that a large- diaphragm condenser (my Rode NT2000) sounds best, but even a good ol' SM57 gets the job done in a pinch. With the drummer playing, move the mic around and listen for the 'sweet spot' where the tones and relative volume of the different drums sounds best. You'll know it when you hear it. Usually centered about 11⁄2' in front of the kit and 31⁄2' off the floor. This method is the quickest and easiest and it ROCKS!
The 'stereo overhead' method: If you have two open JamHub mic inputs available, great! If not, use a small submixer and feed its stereo outputs to a JamHub instrument input. Get the mics up over the kit on boom stands and point them away from each other, one toward the left side of the kit and the other toward the right. Again, with the drummer playing, move the mics around while listening for each one's 'sweet spot'. Pan the mics hard left and right and listen to how the sound 'opens up' compared to mono. Now everyone can hear the cymbals and tom fills moving from side to side, just like they would if they were sitting at the kit!
The 'all out' method: Some drummers just can't get inspired to lay down the groove until they've mic'd up the whole kit, or at least the kick, snare, hi hat and a pair of overheads. No problem! Connect the mics to a submixer and feed its stereo outputs to an open JamHub instrument input. Place each mic as you normally would and adjust their tones and relative volumes at the submixer. Now everyone in the band will hear 'your sound' in all its glory!
Acoustic drums sound great using any of these methods and our rehearsals have never been more productive. Though rehearsing with acoustic drums and without neighbor complaints remains a bit of a luxury, bands of all types are realizing that in order to hear better, play longer and improve faster, JamHubs are a necessity!
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