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NINJAM

by David Battino

As seen in MAKE 05 Toolbox

Type(s): Web Service, Web Site
Tags: collaborative music


http://ninjam.com/

Not only does NINJAM enable musicians to play together online, it even saves the jams as Creative Commons-licensed recordings. But the breakthrough is the way it overcomes the groove-destroying delay inherent in sending audio over the net; it delays each performer’s output by an interval of several bars. Strange concept, but it actually encourages listening.



I downloaded the free NINJAM client (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux), logged in, and started playing electric piano. Suddenly, a guitarist chimed in, followed by vocals. NINJAM co-founder Justin Frankel (of Winamp, Gnutella, and Shoutcast fame) even joined on drums at one point.



I experienced a few audio glitches and dropouts, but the mix seems to have made it to the website intact. This is one rough ninja, but it’s free and fun.