Using JACK on Windows Introduction. As on other platforms, JACK on Windows is a multi-purpose audio server that connects audio and MIDI streams using the Windows system drivers. It connects (OUTPUT) to those audio drivers using the PortAudio project (so JACK can connect using dsound, wmme, ASIO, etc) depending on what the soundcard’s drivers. June 2014 Jack 6. Computer bridge program Jack is the world champion of this Millennium. Jack is a computer bridge program developed by bridge players for bridge players. One of the developers is former world champion Berry Westra (Bermuda Bowl, Chile 1993). Jack uses state of the art computer algorithms and is the current world champion computer bridge. Jack's possibilities exceed those of all other bridge playing programs. Jack bridge by berry westra: winner of the 2001,2002,2003, 2004 & 2006 and beaten finalist in the 2005 world computer bridge championship! Jack bridge wins again in 2009!! Jack bridge 5.0. Many improvements. 2 new bidding systems, precision & polish club. stronger playing capability. new convention cards to design your own system.
Before we dive into specific music applications, I need to provide a little background information about audio and MIDI support on Linux.
If you’re coming from Mac OS X or Windows, you may not have heard very much about the Linux way of doing audio and MIDI. Seems like the “mainstream media” don’t want to have much to do with Linux. Linux has a very well-developed infrastructure for audio and MIDI. Linux audio is a “stack” (a layer cake) with audio/MIDI applications on top:
- Audio applications
- JACK (Jack Audio Connection Kit)
- ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)
- Linux kernel
You probably haven’t heard about JACK and ALSA before, so a little explaining is in order.
The Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) uses the kernel to implement low-level — but extremely powerful — audio and MIDI features. ALSA provides several useful applications, but I like to think of ALSA as a tool to build higher level tools. ALSA is the layer that supports “soundcards,” which is the Linux catch-all term for hardware audio interfaces, MIDI interfaces, and more. Go to the ALSA project homepage to get more information from the developer’s perspective.
You are far more likely to interact with the Jack Audio Connection Kit (JACK) than ALSA. JACK is an audio/MIDI server that provides audio and MIDI services to JACK-based applications (i.e., applications using the JACK API). The list of JACK-enabled applications is impressive. In fact, this list is a rather good summary of the audio and MIDI applications that are available on Linux! Check out the JACK project page to get more information from the developer’s point of view. End-users (us normal people) should read the JACK FAQ which covers some of the finer points about JACK.
ALSA utils
The ALSA utility applications are collectively known as “ALSA utils.” Use the apt-get command to download and install the ALSA utils:
Here is a list of the ALSA utility applications:
Let’s take a look at a few of these applications in action.
Test speaker output
Although not strictly part of ALSA utils, speaker-test is a quick way to make sure that the built-in Raspberry Pi audio output is properly connected and configured.
First, connect the RPi2 audio output to your powered monitors using a 3.5mm to whatever patch cable. The Raspberry Pi built-in audio can be routed to either the 3.5mm audio jack (“analog”) or to the the HDMI port. Enter the command:
to route the built-in audio. Replace “N” with one of the following choices:
In this case, use N=1 to route the audio to the 3.5mm audio jack. Then, run the command:
to send a 440Hz tone to the audio output. You should hear a test tone from your speakers.
If you don’t hear a test tone, double check your connections. You may need to add the current user to the audio group: sudo adduser XXX audio, where “XXX” is the user’s name. (I don’t believe this is strictly necessary.)
Play an audio file
Once speaker output is working, why not play an audio file? The aplay program plays an audio file. It supports just a handful of audio formats: voc, wav, raw or au. The default format is WAV.
The -c option specifies two channels. (The default is one channel of audio.)
If you listen carefully, you’ll notice that the built-in audio is a little bit noisy. I’ll get into the issue of audio quality in a future blog entry.
The command aplay -l displays a list of all sound cards and digital audio devices.
ALSA mixing
There are two ALSA utility mixer applications: amixer and alsamixer. amixer is a command line tool that controls one or more soundcards. The command (which does not have any command line arguments):
displays the current mixer settings for the default soundcard and device as shown below:
The output shows a list of the simple mixer controls at your disposal.
The alsamixer application is a bit more visual. alsamixer turns the terminal window into a visual mixer. Try:
and see. Start alsamixer in one window and play an audio file in different window. Use the UP and DOWN arrows to control the playback gain (volume). Use the escape key (ESC) to exit alsamixer.
MIDI patch-bay
ALSA provides a virtual MIDI patch-bay that lets you interconnect MIDI senders and receivers. MIDI data is communicated from sender ports to receiver ports. A port may belong to either a MIDI hardware interface or a software application. The virtual patch-bay allows for very flexible, powerful MIDI data routing.
The aconnect utility application both displays the status of the virtual patch-bay and makes connections. First off, we need to know the available sender and receiver ports. The command:
displays a list of the sender ports including external MIDI input ports. External MIDI input ports (-i) are ALSA sender ports because they send MIDI data to ALSA receiver ports. I connected a Roland UM-2ex MIDI interface to one of the RPi’s USB ports and got the following output with aconnect -i:
The UM-2ex has one 5-pin MIDI IN (client 20, port 0).
Likewise, the command:
displays a list of the receiver ports including external MIDI output ports. External MIDI output ports (-o) are ALSA receiver ports because they receive MIDI data from ALSA sender ports. Here is the output when the UM-2ex is connected:
The UM-2ex has two 5-pin MIDI OUTs (client 20, port 0 and port 1).
The notions of sender and receiver may seem a little confusing especially in the context of external MIDI INs and OUTs. Please keep in mind that “send” and “receive” are defined with respect to ALSA itself (and ALSA objects).
Now, I want to really blow your mind. Let’s connect both the Roland UM-2ex and an M-Audio Keystation Mini 32 to the RPi2. Here is the output generated by aconnect -i:
Jack Bridge Software
We can see the MIDI IN for the UM-2 and the Keystation.
Here is the output generated by aconnect -o:
We see the MIDI OUTs for the UM-2 and the Keystation.
Let’s patch the Keystation (client 24, port 0) to the MIDI OUT of the UM-2ex (client 20, port 0):
The sender port is (24:0) and the receiver port is (20:0). MIDI messages are sent from the Keystation to the MIDI OUT of the UM-2ex. If you physically connect the MIDI IN of a tone module or synthesizer to the UM-2’s MIDI OUT, you can now play the tone module or synth using the Keystation. Guess what we just built? A USB MIDI to 5-pin MIDI bridge. Ever need to control an old school 5-pin MIDI synth using a new school USB-only MIDI controller? Now you can with Raspberry Pi and ALSA!
Run aconnect -l to display the connection status. Here is the output for the virtual patch bay:
The output shows the connection from the Keystation to the UM-2ex.
To break the connection, run the command:
Run aconnect -l, again, and you’ll see that the connection has been removed.
More resources
If you’re a long-time reader of my site, you know that I blogged about the USB to 5-pin MIDI bridge technique before. If you have a Raspberry Pi and know how to run aconnect, you have a bridge!
The Ardour folks have two good articles about JACK on Linux (here and here).
New to Linux (Raspbian Jessie) on Rapsberry Pi? Then be sure to check out my article about getting started with Raspbian Jessie and Raspberry Pi.
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Jack is a computer bridge program developed by bridge players for bridge players. One of the developers is former world champion Berry Westra (Bermuda Bowl, Chile 1993). Jack uses state of the art computer algorithms. Jack's possibilities exceed those of all other bridge playing programs. Besides its exceptional bidding and playing strength, Jack offers a very user friendly interface with many interesting features.
On this page
| contents | [ Looks | Ease of use | Tournaments and competitions | Bid and Play | Many Extra's ] |
| versions | [ Previous versions | Changes Jack 6 vs Jack 5 | Jack 6 updates ] |
| info | [ Demo | System Requirements| Tablets | Order ] |
Looks
Jack offers a very user friendly interface. Its ergonomical interface allows you to relax and enjoy using Jack. If you're not completely satisfied with the default looks, you have numerous possibilities to adjust it to your own likings. Settings exist for almost anything: the colors, the backside of the cards and the shape of the playing table are just a few examples.With Jack the pretty playing cards are not only printed on the outside of the box, but you also play with them on screen. You can choose between English (international), French, German or Dutch playing cards. The sets are all based on the Carta Mundi playing cards. You don't like the rounded corners on the cards? Jack will straighten them for you. If you prefer larger numbers and letters on the playing cards, Jack offers a special set also.
Ease of use
The fully graphical user interface was developed by bridge players for bridge players. Jack comes with a manual so you can sit down and read about the most important features. Above that the program has a built in interactive help with many examples. The tip of the day will help you master Jack's possibilities faster.You decide if you want announcing bids and plays switched on, in which case you'll hear the voice of Berry Westra.
The program is very friendly. You can play with all cards visible, take back cards or restart a deal at any time. Settings were not only developed to change the appearance on your screen but also to adjust Jack's behaviour. You can even set the tolerance with which Jack has to accept your claims. After you completed a deal you can have Jack replay the deal and instantly compare your result with Jack. You can store the bid and play to look it over again at a later moment. Your own deal annotations can be incorporated and stored with the deal in Jack.
The powerful deal profile allows you to generate deals that meet certain criteria. Specifying for example auction, distributions, combined values for North and South, playing tricks or points enables you to create almost any situation. Very usefull for practising purposes.
You can even have Jack calculate the statistical probability for any profile. For example the probability for a 1NT opening.
Each deal has a number. All 53.644.737.765.488.792.839.237.440.000 possible bridge deals can be generated. You can use this number to generate a specific deal again. It also ensures you won't play the same deal twice.
Deals can be printed directly to the printer or exported to HTML files. You can specify in detail what to print (diagram, auction, play, footnotes, alerts, annotations). The HTML- (internet-) format allows you to directly bring the information online, look at it in your favorite browser, email it to your partner or edit it with a word processor.
Inputting a deal is very easy, have Jack show you how he would have bid and played the deals from you local competition.
Tournaments and competitions
Extensive tournament environment with many tournaments. Jack offers the functionality to create your own tournaments. Match Points, imps, imp pairs and more. Just enter the number of rounds/contestants. Jack will play the tournament for all participants whilst varying its play to generate the necessary variation in the results. Also almost any PBN can be converted to a tournament.The same tournament can be played by more than one user. This enables you to compare with other people. Neat reports with tournament results can be printed.
To start your own tournaments collection the CD contains 62 tournaments (totalling over 200 sessions), in which you play partnering Jack. These tournaments all appeared on Jack's website earlier. New tournaments will continue to be made available in the future. For more tournaments the Tournaments 2002 CD with annotated tournaments is on sale.
Included are some of the finals of recent Worldchampionships Computer Bridge.
Jack has a built-in virtual bridge club, the JackBridge club, complete with promotion and demotion. You compete with Jack as your partner amidst computer personalities. There are six different skill levels (flights) and in a higher flight the computer players will be tougher to beat. Of course you can specify the length of the competition, the strength of the other players, and whether your opponents use their own convention cards or yours. Your goal is to move up the ladder of skill levels. Try to become the champion of the club!
Bid and play
Jack 4 contains the improved bidding and playing engineJack 6.0 Computer Bridge Software
, used to win the World Championship Computer Bridge in Verona 2006. For the playing strength you can choose from over 30 levels of play with extra options enabling you to change Jack's style of bidding and playing. The lead system and signal methods are very complete and adjustable to one's personal likings.Both during the auction and the play Jack will provide you with hints, if asked for.
Jack offers a new method of scoring when playing random deals: Compensation scoring (also known as Russian Scoring). The stronger side gets penalty points depending on their combined HCP strength. Penalties are user adjustable.
You can use Jack to analyze a position, Jack will show what he thinks about it.
Jack has a very extensive convention card environment. Major convention cards from all around the world are built in, amongst others: Standard American Yellow Card, Dutch Acol, 2/1 GF, Bridge World Standard, Jack Bali (the exact card that was used in Bali 2013), Moscito (a strong club system developed by the Australian international Paul Marston) and Jack's own convention card. Of course convention cards for novices are available as well.
Or you can compose your own convention card using adjustable conventions. Jack now has over 100 adjustable conventions, recent additions, amongst others: Variable 1NT, additional defences against 1NT, Puppet Stayman after 1NT. Many other bidding additions as well, e.g. you can specify the style of overcalling you would like Jack to use and it is possible to count an extra trump when using RKC Blackwood).
In the auction you can choose for Fit points. After discovering a fit it is good practise to re-evaluate your hand. Jack does this by using fit points. It is based on Berry Westra's teaching methods of adding and subtracting points in fit situation. You will quickly learn to correctly re-evaluate your hand in fit situations. The fit points are entirely user adjustable.
But also from the didactical point of view for less experienced bridge players Jack 4 has a lot to offer. For example, immediately after playing a deal you can ask Professor Jack what he thinks of your bidding and cardplay. When he does not agree he explains in detail why so.
Many extra's
- Jack contains the fastest double dummy solver in the world. Jack will instantly show you how many tricks can be made with each card.
- Jack is completely multi-lingual, you can dynamically switch between English, Dutch, French, German and Polish. Within any of the supported languages you can also use the English, Dutch, French or German playing cards.
If your language is not supported yet, we offer the possibility to translate the user interface. - Play with up to four people in a network at home or over the internet.
- Several scoring methods are supported.
- Printing. Deals can be printed directly to the printer or exported to HTML files. You can specify in detail what to print (diagram, auction, play, footnotes, alerts, annotations)
- Fun and games. A completely new and interactive environment. You will find interesting and amusing facts, teaching material and puzzles like Double Dummy problems. A lot of content available already.
- Search for updates. From inside Jack you can search for updates and install them directly. No need for visiting the website and look whether there is new material.
Previous versions
Jack version 5.x | Jack version 4.x | Jack version 3.x | Jack version 2.x | Jack version 1.x |
Changes Jack 6 vs Jack 5
On our Jack 6 service page you will find descriptions of the added functionality.
Jack 6 updates
On our Jack 6 service page you will find free updates for Jack 6, with descriptions of added functionality.Demo
Try our free demo. In this demo Jack bids and plays at full strength. Besides 12 random deals, a tournament session of 21 deals is included. Some options have been disabled.System Requirements
Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10),
Jack's installation will only be complete after you activated Jack.
Tablets
Tablets, like the iPad, usually operate using a different operating system (iOS or Android) and do not comply with the system requirements.
The only exception are tablets that run Windows 8 and are equipped with an Intel X86 compatible CPU. Windows 8 tablets that are equipped with ARM processor do not meet the system requirements. For more information please contact your tablet supplier.