Jean-Michel Jarre on the evolution of music technology: Part 1 | Native Instruments

In this exclusive video, discover the evolution of electronic music technology with a true pioneer - Jean-Michel Jarre. More on this feature at: www.native-inst...
Watch Jean-Michel discuss how his unique artistic journey mirrors the development of music technology, from the early machines like the seminal EMS VCS 3 up to RAZOR and MONARK.
Find out how over 40 years of synth history informed his new album - Electronica, and hear a legend share his thoughts on technology’s future.
Music:
Jean-Michel Jarre feat. Tangerine Dream - "Zero Gravity"
Jean-Michel Jarre - "Oxygène Part 6”
Jean-Michel Jarre feat. Boys Noize - "The Time Machine"
Jean-Michel Jarre feat. Vince Clark - ”Automatic”
Jean-Michel Jarre feat. Air - "Close Your Eyes"
All music used with the kind permission of BMG and Sony Music Entertainment.
Pictures used with the kind permission of the Institut national de l’audiovisuel (INA) and Aero Productions.
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General info
Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based audio production and DJing. The company's mission is to develop innovative, fully-integrated solutions for all musical styles and professions. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike.
For more info visit our website: www.native-ins...

[@DreamtripMusic]

The Master, which made me fall in love with synths forever. Peace, Love, Unity and Respect.

[@ShynAwkward]

This guy is 67 years old! He looks like he's in his 40's. I guess passion for what you do in life keeps you young........

[@bojanarezina2352]

+ShynAwkward that and plastic surgery

[@-electron7]

+Bojan Arežina Jarre hates that!!!!

[@45rpm.]

+ShynAwkward I'm 48 and he does have less wrinkles than me :( I have less eye bags though - yay! but my hair is thinning a lot more - boo.

[@MyonTangClan]

+ShynAwkward I was just about to say, god damn dudes gotta be a fucking vampire or some shit lol.

[@ShynAwkward]

'Count Jarre' has a certain ring to it. You could be on to something; has anybody ever seen this guy in broad daylight? :-0

[@colinrichards8423]

What humble and extremely talented musician, love his music, have enjoyed his music since I was 7 years old, I am now 51 and listen to his music regularly. Fantastic musician. Total legend brilliant. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏼👍🏼👏👏

[@TheAccursedEntity]

"The evolution of technology, keeps me fresh." - This video is gold, bravo NI for doing this. This man is a legend.

[@kaysha]

Legendary musician and open minded. This is good

[@nicolascatard]

Wow.... génial. 30 ans que je suis fan de la musique de Jean Michel Jarre et c'est pas prêt de s'arrêter. Il n'a rien perdu de son coté explorateur. C'est top !

[@kaitlyn__L]

Merci de m’avoir fait utiliser mon français vieille et mauvaise! (Pour la première fois, en 10 ans… donc, vieille… haha)

[@VolcaRock]

When somebody makes music since 40 years, it must be refreshing and inspiring to use completely different instruments like software. I say this although I prefer hardware for making music. It's a win-win-situation for all, JMJ promotes his new album on an Native Instruments channel!! Always interesting when big musicians talk about instruments and production.

[@Modenut]

This year it is 40 years since I first heard his music. He will be with me to the day I die.

[@emblemcc]

"Break you habits to keep fresh" nice to hear there is someone like J.M Jarre who does not stuck with synths and goes beyond.

[@wa1no137]

Regardless of if you actually listen to JMJ, this man is a true pioneer of music, his career spans major evolutions in sound and he remained open and embraced it all. He speaks comfortably with a weight of experience over his shoulders, salute.

[@SpeccyMan]

He still leads while all the others can only follow.

[@LowellHohstadt]

Jean-Michel Jarre's depth of history gives him the power to create it. Great stuff!

[@helisoma]

in years from now or even decades this will be considered a historic interview....just wonderful!

[@Justin.sanctuary.gardens]

I seen Jean Michel Jarre. Play live in Dublin Ireland on 10.10.2016. A dream come true for me, totally amazing showman indeed. Thank you, for your inspirational video. Justin :)

[@sn00ch]

Thanking Jean Michel Jarre for his music in person is on my bucket list.

[@PARABOLA1966]

Beleive it or not, the first time I heard Oxygen was in, HAVANA, Cuba, in 76; I was blown away by the album, and have never looked back...

[@pyurentertainment]

Mad respect for JMJ! Listened to music from him about 10 years ago and recently re-introduced to him thanks to this video. Good job NI. True master.

[@aandarcom]

Even though this video is clearly a commercial for NI, i still believe Mr. Jarre when he says he prefers Monark to his Voyager. I only have about 11 years of experience in this field, but with some of my software (freeware too) i can emulate and even surpass some of the most famous old hardware. And the vintage hardware can be a real pain to work with... that pain can sometimes overshadow the pleasure of touching and moving real knobs and faders, looking at the beautiful wooden panels etc... :D

[@timothybaxter7392]

I've read several times. (I can't claim it as I have no musical skill) that true genius is making great music from imperfect intruments. Surely then the harder the instrument the more perfectly honed the musician. :)

[@RafaelTenor]

Dear Jarre. Electronic music owes you everything. Thanks and congratulations. Congratulations also to NI for your work.Immeasurable.

[@pedro.camacho]

5:23 "as a musician I prefer working on the [NI] Monark than on the [Moog] Voyager, these days" Epic!

[@marike1100]

+Pedro Macedo Camacho I don't know one musician who would prefer a copy of Monark over a Voyager, except for Jarre whose comments are clearly part of his promotional duties.

[@Kidraver555]

Markus Arike He can route the Monark signal through a few hardware effects boxes and get all the analog he wants, software allows editing that goes way beyond hardware, I would rather the monark for many reasons, no cables, no space requirements, NI do not pay artists, artists pay NI rightly deserved accolades for giving them the best in the world.

[@marike1100]

Kidraver Route the Monark. Lol. It's not analog if the oscillators are not analog, but good try. :-) In terms of sound quality, forget it, the Voyager wins easily. The "convenience working a DAW" argument is an extremely narrow point of view. The Moog Voyager blows Monark out of the water in the same way a Steinway Grand Piano absolutely trounces samples played on a controller. Sorry.

[@savageparasyte76]

+Kidraver I prefer using analog for certain things, but most of my digital is native instruments or omnisphere. They cover a good range of things, and you can do without them, but that said analog does have its own characteristics just as digital has its own characteristics.

[@dionysiaex5538]

+Markus Arike He doesn't work for NI. Clearly they contacted him because he's a fan of it.

[@avantoo]

The evolution of technology keeps me fresh. Legend.

[@leilasdi34]

great interview, absolutely he is a legend! please do more interviews with jmj

[@darcy_taylor3103]

JMJ Father of Electronic Music,greets from Poland!

[@thejollyjoker187]

What I value most in this video is: "The Jupiter-8, the MemoryMoog and the Elka Synthex". If you have these 3 synths, you have everything, really..

[@garymcavoy2997]

Wonderful to view and listen to Jean-Michel Jarre through the evolution of electronic music technology and Native Instruments. I downloaded Electronica 1: Deluxe Edition from iTunes this morning and love the sounds. I recall listening to Oxygene when I was young boy in the basement of my family home. I fell in love with synthesizers because of that unique soundscape and imagination that Jean-Michel Jarre captured with such expression. Great video! Take care.

[@MarkTDKKnight]

Legend! I owe so much of what I've done in my life to him. Great interview!

[@vibhor747]

his words are sharp and accurate as a blade. great advice kudos NI

[@styrbjornulfhamr9404]

Wonderful interview! Thanks Jean Michel and NI!! It is really great to hear the thoughts behind my favorite musician (since discovering JMJ in 1980). I could listen to him talk for hours. His endorsement of NI products seems very genuine, and not the shallow words of a paid spokesman. That resonates with me, and I will certainly look into NI products in the near future. It is also reassuring to hear Jean Michel's workflow has evolved toward using computers, as that has been the same path that I have found myself on with my music. My old hardware (not as old as his) is there to use when needed, but I am not limited by old recording and composition methods. Sometimes hearing little bits like this from your musical idol is a really big thing. Thanks again!

[@kentcourtney5535]

Cette vidéo est très bonne et ramène de nombreux souvenirs. Merci Jean-Michel.

[@Ginga7r]

Isn't electronic music always about looking to the future, So keep evolving Sir your music is Awesome.

[@matahliah]

It's good to see someone of his calibre with an open mind. I like his approach to electronic music

[@manuelvicente9614]

Jean Michel Jarre, uno de los pioneros de la música electrónica, nos cuenta su evolución (los sintetizadores que usaba y el software que usa hoy).

[@namnack]

I still very often listen to his early work. i can listen to 'Arpegiator' all day long..

[@Bizclown]

I Have been follwing JMJarré since Oxigen, this interview was a real treat. Thank you. Even as an Ableton beginner, Amateur as I am, this was great,

[@scotty]

What I've been saying for ages on other KZbin pages, everyone argues with me and can't see the virtues of virtuals. Nice to hear this from Jean-Michel Jarre.

[@guitarfoundry]

Back in the 80's when i was in my teens my Dad had a Jupiter 8, Juno 6, SH101, and a TB303..Years later he sold them for next to nothing..By the early 90's they were almost worthless..then near the end of the decade prices exploded for them

[@xJMFx]

I wish to see one day this legend on tour!!!

[@TheFlyingBusman]

An incredible musical guided by the true master of electronic music. A great vid.

[@fpham8004]

The legend, the pioneer, the master. I am still listening to his old 80's stuff. Not so much of the new Jarre as he seems to replace his earlier melodics with "sounds", however I like to use Theo & Thea "Fresh news" to test speakers and amps. I did listen to the new album and it is a great variety of EM but pulling strings in every direction without much coherence as a whole. I would love to listen to a whole album of Tangerine Dreams with JMJ, not just 6 min soundscape then interrupted by something else.

[@davedogge2280]

The old master and his wisdom right here

[@LegoVWCrazyFan09]

Such an interesting video. Thank you for creating beautiful and timeless music!

[@Cheliel34]

JMJ speaks of Skrillex ! generating shock. The gentleman who introduced me to music when I was 10 years

[@zeus1117]

long time no see a really great interview / video clip like this one ! Congrats!

[@Spidouz]

Never been a complete fan of JMJ (I like some of this songs/albums... mainly Oxygen and Revolution but that's it), but I have to admit, he has a perfect view on technologies and evolution of technologies for music (for electronic music in his case, but also for any kind of music these days).

[@FrancisMaxino]

I started playing synthesizors in the early eighties, by then everything was going digital and I learnt to modify using ASDR and filters, envelopes, oscillators, much later and even then it was with software synthesizors like the EXS24...JMJ has always been a great influence on me and it is surprising how many young electronic DJs and producers have no idea who he is !!! God forbid...it is frustrating sometimes when you talk to people whose tastes and understanding of 'electronic' music starts in the 21st centtury and they don't know about the previous thirty years of it's evolution...particularly the early nineties rave and dance music explosion...

[@MacXpert74]

Nice interview with the legend Jean Michel Jarre. One little thing surprised me, when he talked about what gear he used. He said that the Roland Jupiter 8 was the first polyphonic synthesizer that he used. That must be a little slip-up on Jarre's side. I'm quite sure he already used the Oberheim OB-X before using the JP-8. He used the OB-X on Magnetic Fields (1981). That album was recorded just before or around the time that the JP-8 was released. And didn't Jarre also use the Oberheim 4 or 8-voice and Yamaha CS 60 on Equinox? (1978) Of course it must be hard to keep track of all that stuff if you've used as many synths as he has. :)

[@siliconbrush]

Native instruments needs to create a synth like the VCS3 I say like because I have to agree with Jean Michel, we can go so much further into unexplored territories with software design instead of trying to sound like legacy hardware. So lets take best parts of past and create a incredible sounding digital future and get the best of both worlds, that is what evolution is all about. Happiest software purchase I ever made = Native Instruments.

[@Crinklechip-s]

Sage advice. I'm looking up his new album for sure. All that amazing hardware....!

[@issiewizzie]

I can attest to all he said it shows in his music from the early ones with the analog synthesiser to the digital synths

[@tensevo]

Fascinating to hear how he embraces the new synths like Massive, whilst still having love for the old tech. Many older gen musicians look at early synths with rose tinted specs and reject the new stuff on principle.

[@robertandarson5669]

...vstis or digital or analog hardware are NOT IMPORTANT !!! The ONLY important thing is the VISION of the Artist ! the rest are just TOOLS !!! ...my opinion !

[@joe-nh9bh]

Agreed

[@SeverityOne]

More to the point, people who claim that software instruments aren't proper instruments, are very much like the people that claim that synthesisers aren't proper instruments. What's important is the physical connection. I'm one of those who's long been suspicious of software synths, but I do have Arturia's V-Collection (sorry NI; I'll get yours in due time) which I hopefully soon manage to hook up to my hardware synths. But as I find my Yamaha EX5 more intuitive to use than when I had the rack-mount EX5R, maybe you need a dedicated controller with true integration with the software instruments, to achieve that directness that I covet in instruments. As a software developer, I have enough abstraction during the day already.

[@linusbrendel]

Thank you NI. This was fantastic!

[@Dayta]

i enjoyed every second of the video

[@blogout412]

total respect, peace up

[@Stadtmuzik]

I really do love my Kawai K4!... It's an old 16bit Synth - but using it in projects nowadays? It's a hassle - as to record the generated sounds without any bigger noise is impossible without the right (expansive) equipment, so if I am using it, then actually as a midi keyboard.... And as JMJ actually said: VSTs are growing better, or at least different than hardware these days. They even give you possibilities you didn't have back in the day. It's really refreshing to hear one of the most influencal synth-users to talk about this topic in the way he did.

[@GeorgNagle]

time goes on, technik evolves and with it does music. we should expect the next revolution in music soon.

[@-GA-MancsFinest]

JMJ ,a true legend ,lots of us older folk who used say a atari st for cubase 3 and a akai s950 sampler for the 90s era are in the same boat ,tech has come a long way now you dont need a super high end synth or sampler it can all be done on one machine ,with vsts,samples,soundbanks ,currently using ableton 11 on pc ,i miss the older gear and big automated desks ,but once you get your head around the newer ways ,theres no comparison ,i still have my st and a roland s760 32mb sampler cost me 2700 in 90's wanted to start using it again but you end up moving along with the tech i guess,,i wont even sell it ,its more for nostalga....

[@fabienfournier9141]

Excellence!!!!!!!!Thank you JM Jarre ...

[@metmaten]

Great to see the master Jean-Michel techno evolution. I want more of this !A bit missing homebuild electronics, the solder iron, Tube, Transistor, Opamps, IC's.. evolution. Next episode ;)

[@raggeragnar]

I’ve been a fan of JMJ since I heard Oxygen the 1st time back in 79 or 80 perhaps. I couldn’t believe how good E1 and E2 was , and thought that this must be his masterpiece in 2 parts. Then , yesterday , I got Equinox Infinity delievered. OH ! MY ! F#€£ING ! GOD !

[@pkillor]

Peter Zinovieff, British Composer and Synth Pioneer (26 January 1933 - 23 June 2021)

[@robainscough]

Brilliant, thank you for sharing this video.

[@TheFokker03]

this guy is a pure genius

[@lavishdeluna6099]

Sure, it's a promotion for Native Instruments, but damn is that some interesting insight -- and good directing, too. Well done, NI.

[@KVNwriter]

He is just astounding.

[@GabrielLehtofilms]

Actually I love the hardware... for me they are more inspiring than software... in other hand the softwares are more practical to use daily basis ... and there are a lot of big companies re-launching their legendary analog synths... Ultimately what matters is if the music touch people and not properly if it was done with a legendary hardware or fantastic software ... if it does not touch people it is worthless all.

[@Spidouz]

+Novas Imagens (Cine video) I agree, it doesn';t matter how it's done... everybody use whatever they want. Having said that, here's just two tiny comment: 1) most of big companies are releasing some analog for one main reason: They know they lost the digital market over software already. If you want a sampler, there's nothing hardware that can really match what software can accomplish with Terrabytes of sounds, several articulation, round robin and so on... So manufacturers are reaching two main market now: Neo Retro Analog and Mobile stuff. That's two markets they can still be competitive and get enough financial returns. But for how long, that's a good question (mainly with this kind of promotional video). 2) The fact you don't find software inspiring is probably due to the fact you never experience a good software setup. Maybe you had a medium computers, not the right equipment, or maybe not the right software for your taste, habits, preferences or so... but it's mainly due to a bad experience. Because these days, people can find a software setup that could work just as good as any hardware and could be just as much inspiring than any other solution. I don't know which one would be the best for you, but I know people can find it (I did). To me, right now, using hardware or software, it clearly doesn't matter, both work, both are inspiring, both can have a good sound, etc... It doesn't really matter. And for that reason, I tend to have a preference for software because I get everything similar from the hardware but I found it even more fast, more efficient, more practical (as you mention). But not in despite of any creativity or inspiration... Note: I'm not trying to convert you. What I use doesn't impact your life and what you use doesn't impact mine. I'm just trying to share an experience here with you. I do respect any musicien, with no consideration to what "tools" they use. There's no "better" and nothing is "exclusive". We can clearly love both hardware, software, hybrid and who knows what we'll get in the future... I'm just trying to say that software could also be inspiring. But for that, you have to find the setup that will work for you.... and sometimes even change (or break) your habits as JMJ said it so well in this video. Cheers, My 2¢

[@michaelmcelroy6895]

Remarkable Man, Remarkable interview. Thank you so much.

[@ingakirsfelde4149]

Super!🎶🎵🎹🎧💞💫💥💫

[@woezzl]

best promo video ever.

[@juancarloscarrazon5016]

Congratulations to the spanish translator. Really, nice and exact!

[@ReginatorNet]

Everyone has a preference in what tools they use, even Jean-Michael. Some like SSL, some like Neve, some like Mac, some like PC, tape, 96/24, analog, digital. Use whatever takes the song from your head to the masses, and stimulates your creativity along the way.

[@iosephantonivs4262]

Thank you Jean-Michel!

[@szymusiek1980]

Nothing will replace creativity

[@volt9903]

RESPECT FOR JEAN.

[@pendago8484]

3:30 Revolution was probably made on this synth... Isn't that something!

[@melhorespod]

Visionary and inspirational!!

[@markburrell8320]

Great Interview.👍🏼thank you for upload ❤️

[@wolfgangboettcher3126]

Evolution Zeiten sehr Gut entwickelt,kann mich gut an einen Klangexpander Erinnern,und heute hilft uns der Computer Super danke Jarre

[@wolfgangboettcher3126]

Future Teil!en guter Performance

[@wolfgangboettcher3126]

Gute Sache

[@cloudninerecordings]

What a legend

[@ralfprog3936]

Master of Sound

[@jorgeegrojjorge]

He was a visionary so ahead of historia time!

[@basehead617]

His english is tremendous! Especially for a frenchman.

[@ivanbukna1364]

Respect

[@PetraPetzold]

Danke für die Übersetzung

[@lorenamorenoespinoza3192]

Gran genio

[@Magnus_Loov]

It's easy for him to say that it isn't interesting to create vst-instruments that just emulate already existing hardware. For the rest of us that doesn't already own the same hardware and who aren't millionaires it is extremely interesting and important. I mean to be able to get a Stradivarius at an affordable price would be a dream for a violinist. Also, even for him, all the additional possibilities with total recall when saving songs, polyphony etc is still not possible on the original hardware. Besides, these days the "just emulating existing hardware" isn't a problem anymore. There are tons of exotic vst-i:s that do all kind of stuff. And there is always Reaktor to cook you own instruments...

[@dariuszpiurecki7667]

Wspaniały róż pod oczętami świetnie wyszczupla rysy twarzy, chyba żona poleciła.

[@AndreHeatnzeMusic]

the knowledge in this video uff!! +100

[@FashionDeejay]

At very high and TOP level of synthesizers.

[@electrozaps]

No trophy synths there ... all well used ... good stuff :-)

[@JimAward]

Pure inspiration

[@huntershoot101]

Still leaps and bound ahead of everyone.

[@gitisa2291]

love this genius man

[@dum432]

Amazing review!! THanks!!

[@bulentaydin4377]

im the next jean michel jarre, i say this everywhere. he is good, he is most close to my music

[@Neonymus]

"Hay que buscar cada ocasión que surja para romper tus propios hábitos, para mantener la frescura." Ahí queda eso.

[@DENIOVALE]

*Great video. Amazing. Congratulations.*

[@electraluxx]

Fantastic video. I know this is a promotional piece. Nevertheless, it is a sincere explanation of the artistic process by a renowned electronic music artist. Really inspiring.

[@zorrozorro42]

Fabulous!

[@thebarcodestv]

"BREAK YOUR HABITS" BRILLIANT...!

[@Itbonlinemixingandmastering]

Legend!