Jamstack is one of those startups that was born out a terrible idea and - to make things worse - actual executed on it! In this case, the Jamstack was born as a compact guitar amplifier and speaker that was designed to be attached to the lower guitar strap, "instantly" turning an electric guitar (or bass guitar) into an integrated active system without the need for an external guitar amp. Since the Jamstack already offered effects as well, this would be an ideal solution, correct?
Wrong. Guitar players already have too many options and attaching a metal speaker box to a guitar - destroying the natural balance and playability of the instrument - is a terrible, unattractive idea.
But the Jamstack team preserved and started thinking about the Jamstack 2. Forget attaching the thing to the guitar. Just add a SKAA guitar transmitter and make the Jamstack both a wireless receiver AND transmitter, and the whole thing could make much more sense. Suddenly the Jamstack was a compact guitar combo that can be used anywhere, great for rehearsal and playing live anywhere. Between the end of 2020 (when the company did its original crowdfunding campaign) and November 2023, when it started shipping to backers, the team designed a series of great new features, including adding USB-C, sound modeling capabilities, compatibility with third party apps (the amplifier records into the phone), etc.
The Jamstack 2 its still an "attachable amplifier" but now it is much more practical to use with the SKAA transmitter (a simple plug-on jack) and connected to a smartphone. And for 2024, the company intends to make the Jamstack 2 a complete AI-powered music platform.
"Now available, Jamstack 2 is truly the world’s most advanced smart amp and a must have for guitar players because of its versatility on many different levels," explains Rex Whitehead, Eleven Engineering executive vice president, sales and marketing. "Now guitarists (and musicians playing other instruments) can experience every note in high definition. And, due to its integrated SKAA transmitter, Jamstack 2 can wirelessly deliver audio to any SKAA-enabled speaker. Unlike Bluetooth with its many connectivity and latency issues, with SKAA's built-in wireless technology, Jamstack 2's attachable smart amp with integrated wireless transmitter lets musicians enjoy an impressive wireless range of 50 meters that ensures exceptional stability, dependability, and ultra-low latency like never before."
The killer feature for the Jamstack 2 - and the thing that differentiates it from other compact modeling amps in the market, is that it can receive audio from any SKAA transmitter including Jamstack's guitar transmitter. With its inherent uncompressed and no latency transmission, SKAA wireless is exactly the same as playing with a guitar cable - only with complete freedom of movement.
"From brand new players to seasoned pros, this premium smart amp is the perfect audio companion," says Chris Prendergast, Jamstack CEO and founder. "For the first time ever, we've brought together premium effects, incredible sound, and powerful recording options in one elegant design that guitarists won't be able to put down. And with the built-in SKAA-enabled wireless transmitter, you can take your music basically anywhere by connecting it to SKAA-enabled speakers and experience wireless music the way it is intended to be heard... with best-in-class reliability, uninterrupted audio, and the highest sound quality to all wirelessly connected speakers without the latency that is inherent in other wireless solutions. It’s a hyper-portable amp without compromise."
The Jamstack 2 is 30 watt system (as loud as anyone needs), providing all the volume needed for practicing and intimate performances. It sets up in seconds and, with an extended battery life, users can effortlessly browse, craft, tweak, and share effects presets through the free wireless control app. With accurate, authentic tones, modeled after real circuits, and Jamstack 2's powerful ARM processor, it offers five times the processing power of other existing solutions, but in this case coupled with unparalleled wireless SKAA connectivity.
"With an ultra-compact design, this powerful all-in-one fits perfectly into the SKAA ecosystem, while fitting in the palm of your hand," adds Whitehead. "As a standalone or coupling it with additional SKAA-enabled speakers, Jamstack 2 is the perfect audio companion in virtually any setting be it at home, while traveling, or when out with friends and bandmates."
SKAA wireless audio is a technology developed by Eleven Engineering in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Eleven Engineering supplies a whole range of solutions that manufacturers and ODMs can integrate in any kind of audio product - from XInC2 multithreaded RISC processors and System in Package (SiP) options that can be fully customized, all the way to modules and boards complete with Analog Devices DSP and Infineon Merus audio amplification. Eleven's high-performance wireless audio semiconductors, equipped with XInC2 wireless processor cores, are complete solutions for high-quality digital wireless audio transport.
WFD, Eleven's proprietary wireless audio transport protocol, has a narrow footprint in the radio spectrum, delivering both best-in-class coexistence with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and unparalleled Quality of Service, and making SKAA one of the most robust wireless audio technologies available in the market. SKAA transmitters work with iOS & Android mobile devices, Mac & Windows computers, televisions, and just about any product with a line output or a headphone jack. SKAA navigates hostile environments saturated in wireless traffic with best-in-class reliability. With SKAA, the receivers (speakers / headphones) are in charge of selecting which transmitter to listen to. There’s no pairing and up to five SKAA transmitters can be used in the same place at the same time.
www.elevenengineering.com
www.jamstack.io
