BlahBlahCafe - Jean-Michel Jarre forum

For my 100th post! I thought about starting a new topic.So for this Why don't we talk about the custom instruments that Mr.Jean Michel Jarre has used over the years.

I've always been more interested in those custom instruments rather than some Roland X-Box Kurzweil KTheremin2000's. :p

Yet they might seem a bit outdated these days... wouldn't bother me though.

I'd still want a circular portable keyboard, like in Docklands and La Defense... or the big circular one

We have had some discussions about his custom instruments in the early mornings
Some of his customs instruments are quite cool, eventhough I always prefer original instruments

I have always liked his KX-5 used in Houston and Lyon. The LAG Insecte was also quite cool, and that Ethnicolor trigger machine did a touch to that track for the live shows.

A list of the originalnames could be useful, I have never really found out the exact names, as they are called different names on the net.

I know the 1st custom instrument he used was for the China Concerts

My Favourite

LAG Insecte




or the Meuble

Hmmmm I need to buy another AX-1 so I'll try with makin' Insecte But how to put vocoder there ??

Not difficult, the only you need is a drill, a goosneck-mic and an XLR-connector

The Insecte annoys me. I have never really found out whether you can push the keys or not. All specifications I have seen about says they are, but They don't look pushable and I have never seen JMJ push them.

We have discussed his custom instruments really often ... they kick ass

I have said this before, but "the monsters" rocks!

What are the "Monsters" ?

The device used by JMJ to trigger the vocal samples of Ethnicolor, used in Houston, Lyon 1986 London 1988 and Paris 1995.

I still don't figured out how that worked, but I didn't look very good to it.

Is there any pictures of the Monsters ?

Watch the Houston/Lyon vid's