Garage special with Jean-Michel Jarre

Erica Synths team visits Jean-Michel Jarre in his studio in Paris to talk about inspiration, creativity, synths and future of the electronic music and to play a live modular jam. Thank you, Jean-Michel for great insights!
Interview: Girts Ozolins
Live jam: Jean-Michel Jarre & Kodek
Camera: Inese Verina
More content from Garage: www.ericasynths.lv/garage
More content from KODEK: / dexandthecity

[@Pladderkasse]

This guy made records, when I was a toddler. Now he looks 10 years younger than me.

[@lindsaywebb1904]

Yeah that's pissing me off a bit too...

[@neuzethmusic131]

Actually he is 70 when this video was recorded! 🤯

[@grimlund]

Maybe Its the food in Lyon that makes you look younger.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

He was extremely good looking when he was young, and very attractive being older. I'm sure genes but also a couple of subtle facial.lifts have everything to go with it.

[@stuartwilliams7371]

The guy is a legend, he made me spend lots of money buying synthesisers to play and be like him, I wouldn’t change anything.

[@R---66---R]

What Jean Michel states, here, should be some major contribution to young keyboardists, or anyone learning or working in the music world: just focus on one or some very few instruments and feel it, live with it, sleep with it, eat with it...avoid as many presets as you can...the start of a 'relation' in a musical sense. Very good message and Jean Michel speaks from the heart, we know that.

[@sergeytsygankov]

9:46 Actually, this is the most precious piece of advice a young EM musician can ever get. Takes so much time to really appreciate this.

[@xntricity6446]

Agree

[@Renzsu]

JMJ's tip of just picking something that you think is cool and sticking with it for 6mo-1y is great. This tip really applies to so many other creative outlets.

[@stephenroldan5107]

Love my techno system! Erica synths is one of the best companies out.

[@lost68er1]

Wow! What an honour! The godfather of symphonic-electronic music is testing erica-synth's devices! You've finally arrived in synthesizer heaven!

[@pepinillosazucarados6743]

WHY NOBODY TALKS ABOUT HOW HANDSOME THIS MAN IS !!!

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Probably because it's obvious. ;)

[@edenhunter9904]

I wish he could live forever - his advice is spot on for young composers😊

[@k9killer221]

We are so lucky that the key people in electronic music are also philosophers who can explain the music and the technology. Robert Moog was a great communicator, Walter Carlos, Vangelis, and JMJ (obviously) all good explainers of the genre and how it works from a tech perspective. And these people were not fringe; JMJ is the most popular/highest-selling French musician in history.

[@andrewhillis9544]

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THESE JARRE GARAGE SESSIONS AND JMJ WORKING IN THE STUDIO!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Salvo100]

Jean Michel Jarre, awesome genius, have all his CDs. I'd love to hang out in his studio!

[@gregruddell7358]

Jarre is so right about all of it. Can't argue with anything that he said. That modular jam was absolutely amazing. Jarre is the master of live mixing complex elements. He finessed that session like no other can

[@sunilsolanki]

So very happy to see and hear JMJ and him working with you guys at ericasynths. So proud of Girts and Kodek and all that you have achieved. You deserve all the success in the world for your wonderful modules and excellent customer service experiences.

[@xsm5525]

I love how he gets asked about ONE thing he would take if he were to live on Mars and by the end of it he's basically like: the entire studio Can't say I blame him though!

[@andrewdeal2728]

I think I could get by with just that Schmidt :)

[@Jsalaberry2000]

What a real privilege and honor jam with the master Jean-Michel Jarre !!!! Incredible !!!

[@Lost68er_SYNTH_PUNK]

"JMJ" said it very well: When you start making electronic music, don't let the sheer volume of products overwhelm you. Don't load dozens (or hundreds) of plugins onto your computer, but look for the devices that appeal to you. I really believe that, given the huge number of possibilities, the most important thing is to limit yourself so that you don't get completely lost in the jungle of sounds...

[@cytone101]

Fantastic. Best feature on Jean-Michel i've ever watched.

[@MrKrisstain]

The coolest guys wear sunglasses inside in black rooms!

[@HOOKSnKISSES]

Because the sun never sets on Planet Cool...

[@lost_valley]

I also do but not because I'm cool, because light from displays hurt my eyes.

[@FilipMilerX]

Especialy on acid.

[@leonelgraca]

I am quite convinced those are prescription glasses, with a light bluish tint. Sometimes you can tell that those are lenses with prescription on them. Since the 80ies I remember him often with bluish sunglasses so it might not be just for the looks. I once had some bluish tint which is great on twilight or smooth light since it enhances contrast. For driving, bluish is great when its raining or fog from my experience.

[@gorillaau]

I have done the same thing... left my prescription glasses at home so was stuck with the prescription sunglasses for indoors.

[@TheFlyVOX]

One of my inspiration in life... a great man ...

[@BLKBRDD]

The most underrated influential musician.

[@Ambienfinity]

Love this guy. Such a cool musician.

[@k9killer221]

JMJ is the most listened-to composer in French history.

[@horatiopugwash9183]

The DX7 is awesome. A very deep synth if you go beyond the presets. Just ask Brian Eno 😀

[@yorgoss.1836]

What a legend! Big influence in my life. Awesome to see him bigger and better than ever!

[@albertsteenbergen3375]

Great to see the portable Eminent that I built for him 14:20

[@spaceman103]

Albert Steenbergen You mean the one under the VCS 3?

[@albertsteenbergen3375]

Yes.

[@spaceman103]

Albert Steenbergen Nice! I would take it with me to Mars.

[@R---66---R]

And the only 'person' I'd like to take with me to Mars would be Jean Michel, obviously!

[@orglarovin]

oh yes.. thats the pretty one!! I still have mine I was supposed to haul down to you :)

[@rosspalumbo]

Brilliant interview. Thank you so much Erica Synths!

[@silva20049]

Listening to Jean Michel Jarre is to immerse yourself in the infinite space of creation

[@raywood5313]

A enduring talented musician that talks a lot of sense!

[@DBPawlan]

Fantastic! One of my heroes!

[@dum432]

Beautiful!!!! Thanks masters!!!

[@baratabrincalhona5405]

Thanks fort the lovely jam!

[@danvandal4127]

Thank you for this, Kodek

[@bigPianist99]

70? Damn, he looks 45!

[@daniellebrunel2960]

Yes you're right! he does'nt look his age especially now that he's 72.Thats what you call growing old gracefully.

[@LysanderLH]

This is precisely the message I needed to have explained to me.

[@garymcavoy2997]

Wow! Jean-Michel Jarre is my all time favorite electronic music artist! Thank you JMJ for your thoughts and insight. Your music is awesome! Please continue and expand your music in the universe of magical noise and sounds. Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration over the years!

[@midierror]

fantastic video! The erica synths sounds great....what a guy

[@davidbetts2980]

God I enjoyed this, could have listened to them play together for day's ❤️

[@mjtaylor26]

This is a very good video, he’s very positive and 100% dedicated to electronic music creation, and it shows in all his works or tracks. There’s conversation from JMJ for quarter of an hour and then some music that I haven’t heard before, which I would describe as an ambient sound. Thanks!

[@mixolydian2010]

Really nice jam and great interview

[@deviceology9251]

Great insight into a legendary pioneer, thank you for the inspiration and long may the jamming continue.

[@AdamDelfArtist]

Love the freshness !

[@LuigiElettrico]

Oh man... Jamming live together with JMJ... one of my biggest dreams. Mr. Jarre, I have Microkorg and volca, feel invited.

[@Kung_Fu_Jesus]

He transcends legendary status. Great video, nicely put together and great content 👏👏👏

[@ivairmpassarinho5031]

Fantastic.

[@analogsystem8015]

A great artist ! Merci Jean-Michel !

[@aero2graph]

Very nice!

[@Robert_Babicz]

love erica synths, its a great video

[@Pavel.Fomitchov]

Excellent interview! So deep and helpful to any electronic musician!

[@KosmoDeuz]

Great! THank you!

[@RheyneMusic]

Awesome!!

[@denniboger6581]

That was nice. Thanks.

[@USAS12]

Awesome jam!

[@temporoboto]

Smart man. Thank you for sharing.

[@andrewhillis9544]

SOME VERY NICE GEAR IN THAT STUDIO!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@timthompson468]

Great video! Thanks!

[@mylesjackson3222]

A few people here reacted to the comment about mono guitars. I'm sure he knows guitars and violins are capable of polyphony. I think he's talking about mono signal vs stereo. Many effects these days generate stereo signals and there can be quite different things going on left and right. It means that when you are mixing a sound texture, it is less easy to pan the sound exactly where you want it. You can pan it 30% left, but it doesn't all go 30% left, because some unique elements of the sound may still be over on the right channel. So you end up with stuff all over the place and it's harder to control.

[@megagurka]

Yes, he's talking about mono vs stereo audio. I agree, sounds should be mono before going to effects and mix.

[@davelordy]

_"You can pan it 30% left, but it doesn't all go 30% left, because some unique elements of the sound may still be over on the right channel"_ I think you are mixing up 'balance', 'binaural pan' and 'stereo pan', with a stereo signal people often just use the balance control to pan the signal - but this, like you say, means panning it 30% left simply turns the left channel up and the right channel down by that amount (depending on which pan law you are using) . . . they should really be using stereo pan, with stereo pan you are moving the whole 2 channel signal, it might seem counterintuitive at first, but panning a stereo signal left by 30% (using stereo pan) will see the right channel not only lowered in the right, but being sent into the left (its a little more complex than that in reality) . . . anyhow to cut a long story short, correctly using stereo pan (rather than 'balance' or binaural pan [usually just labelled as 'pan']) means you can pan stereo signals without losing any elements that might be largley in just one channel. Example signal, drums hard left, piano hard right. Balance 30% Left = drums raised in left channel, piano lowered in right channel. Stereo Pan 30% Left = drums raised in left channel, piano fed to left channel and lowered in right channel.

[@CounternoiseMusic]

I would have liked to be there. This man has a lot to share! Thanks for recording it for us.

[@derekholland3328]

he speaks like a Zen master!..awesome.

[@vagelisda]

wow erica guys,what an unexpected gem

[@spinotopianl4672]

Nice interview, and i really enjoyed the Jam session!!

[@oxygencube]

This just excellent. Very insightful words here! Legend

[@macronencer]

That modular jam really drove home the point about immediacy of control of an instrument eloquently. Even if it were possible to create that vast and varied soundscape using a sequencer and software synths, it would be hours or days of work. They performed it live in a few minutes.

[@playboxadministrator9229]

Excellent interview.

[@SlackTMusic]

Thanks for this inspiring video and interview!

[@christopherfarrell-artist3557]

some really beautiful moments at the end of the live play

[@mike.thomas]

Awesome.

[@MaxZorin8]

Great interview & performance.

[@andrewhillis9544]

NICE JAMMING!!! NICE FREQUENCIES AND SOUNDS!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Andonchoto]

Thank you for this!!!!!

[@ChritsianBucic]

Vraiment intéressant cet interview de JMJ!

[@carlosgarciasandoval9993]

Great!!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Wow such high praise from electronic music pioneer that speaks volumes on how good your synths are! I love my Black Wavetable VCO, Dual Wavetable VCF and Erica Synths Polivoks filter. Now if only I can scrape up the cash for the new Syntrx and techno system that would be awesome!

[@tangerine825]

Oxygenius Of Electronic Music ! Poland Loves JMJ ;-)

[@666Nightshift]

Great video, nice conversation with a humble legend and really cool seeing Erica Synths being successful as they have an amazing vibe as they did in the early days!!!

[@karlp8484]

What a great song

[@fffranckable]

Grace à JMJ je comprend enfin l'anglais!

[@karlp8484]

French-accented English sounds way cool. When I speak French I just sound like an idiot.

[@dscapes1]

Jarre will never forget the time he got to jam with Kodek !

[@mdjey2]

Vai tad nav otrādi?

[@travisbenjaminsimpson]

Really interesting interview and loved the jam at the end. Very inspiring! ✨❤️🔥✨

[@PauloSantos-rx4ix]

Epic Jam! Master JMJ and Kodek... ACE

[@chemicalBR0]

fantastic video with the master himself lucky guys getting to pick JMJ's brain LOVED the jam. GG Kodek and JMJ

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

and I thought I was the only one positively hating the DX7, its sounds, its interface and look and its whole concept (and of course all the early midi era 80s "Depeche Modish" music...). Thx JMJ for reinforcing my opinion. And kudos to those Lativan guys... I've Erica synth modules and greatly appreciate them in my modular rig ('I got their t-shirt, too!)! Btw, when I'm in Paris, I live a stone throw away from the late Pierre Henry little house, and when in London, I live in Putney, a mere stone throw away from Zinoviev's house where he manufactured his Synthi and VCS3. :-)

[@okflyaway99]

Jean Michel looks great for a man reaching 70's.

[@RONFELLINI]

yes this amazing, could he be a Clone or something? not the real one but a "younger copy" ? Just wondering ....

[@markorendas1790]

GREAT ATTITUDE... ABOUT EVERYTHING INCLUDING A.I. HOPEFULLY WE WILL ALL BE THERE TOGETHER....!!!!!!!!

[@herbertdruschke503]

awesome combination: erica s. meets jmj. great concept, interesting and fun to listen to...and he looks phantastic.

[@nsjx]

what an interview! thanks for sharing 👍 nice patching

[@wolfgangboettcher3126]

Ich möchte richtig geniale elektronic Musik

[@differentday4062]

Nice jamming... Erica.. your lucky !

[@animalambulanceandyswindel4952]

Have met the master been a fan since 70s n still going brilliant music sounds apes jmj the man

[@benlogan100]

Music around 17:00 sounds so great. Amazing textures.

[@sxkcb]

That modular jam was so cool. I don't know shit about synths, I don't even know how a modular synth works, but it sounded so good!!

[@OfficialRainsynth]

This is my god I'm praising as a musician, because this man is a saint to me...

[@R---66---R]

And so be it!

[@stephenbaldassarre2289]

Listening to this through my home stereo speakers, it sounds like a full surround mix.

[@macronencer]

Nice to see the MatrixBrute in there! I love that synth, it really gets my sound design creativity going.

[@willfomes406]

Jean Michel Jarre is my favourite artist.

[@tinshedmodular8096]

did JMJ just mention a keyboard?! Now thats exciting! Fantastic video well done Erica Synths and great job Kodek :)

[@elenaadriananegru9995]

when I listen to your music I feel like a skater !

[@olijack57]

excellent le conseil d' interet / realisation entre soi et la machine conseil supreme!

[@spda242]

Jamming with JMJ, I guess Kodek can take on item off his bucket list 👍

[@luckystrke]

69 years old?! I can't believe it..

[@JeAnneDJJeAnne]

The same too . :) I love JMJ !

[@Antara755]

Of course oxygène is 41 years old

[@maydaygoingdown5602]

luckystrke Well...lets be honest he's not been digging out concrete holes or tarmacing motorways for a living has he. This is what the millionaires lifestyle gives you.

[@Antara755]

MayDay GoingDown!! Hahahaha! True!

[@willdorak985]

I love is comparison of music with cooking. He is right. A song is like a dish made of different sounds you cook with.