Jean Michel Jarre Zoolook (1984) equipment

 (last updated: 29/08/24)

Jean Michel Jarre Zoolook equipment

Recorded at JMJ’s Croissy Studio and Clinton Studios, NY

Instruments:

Electronic instruments

• Synthesizers:
• ARP 2600
• E-mu Emulator (a.k.a. E-mu Emulator I)
• EMS vocoder
• EMS VCS3(?)
• EMS Synthi AKS
• Fairlight CMI Series II – main instrument on the album, for assortment of vocal samples
• Moog Modular System 55
• Oberheim OB-Xa
• Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
• Yamaha DX7
• Yamaha DX9 – not listed in credits, but used for a tubular bell sound someplace as quoted in one interview
• Drums & percussion
• Linn LM-1 drum machine – “Diva”, “Zoolook” etc.
• Linn LinnDrum drum machine – “Ethnicolor”
• Simmons SDS-V electronic drum system
• Other:
• Dr. Click synchroniser
• Geiss Matrisequencer 250 – custom built for Jean by Michel Geiss

Recording & Studio equipment

Microphones:

• Crown PZM's – fitted on glass baffles for experimental recording, used for Laurie Anderson vocals, Yogi Horton drums
• On guitar amps:
• AKG C414 – 3 ft from speaker
• AKG C451 – 2 ft from speaker
• Shure SM57 – close mike, 2 inches from speaker
• Neumann U87 – placed 5 feet away

Outboard equipment (partial list):

• AMS DMX 15-80S digital delay/harmonizer – includes sampling etc.
• AMS RMX-16 digital reverb
• EMT 140 mono reverb plate (x2)
• EMT 162 stereo plate
• Lexicon digital reverb

Tape machines & recording:

• MCI JH-24 24-track
• MCI JH110 2-track – for ¼” 15ips master copy
• Otari MTR-90 2-track ½” – ½” 30ips master copy made with this
• Sony PCM-1610 digital – used for digital master, selected for final album
• Studer A800 24-track: Clinton Studio (NY) sessions

Consoles:

• MCI JH-636 36-channel /w automation: Jean’s home studio, recording & final mixing
• Neve 8078 custom 40/32: Clinton Studios (NY) sessions
• Solid State Logic SL-4000E: initial mixing at Trident Studios, London

Sundry equipment:

• Westlake studio monitors /w 2x39cm subwoofers and wood exponential horns(?)
• UREI monitors

Sources

Album credits

International Musician & Recording World, March 1985

Electronic Soundmaker & Computer Music, March 1985

Electronics & Music Maker, June 1982 (MCI desk & misc. info)

Mix, August 1986 (JMJ Croissy Studio info, page 50)

Interview with Francois Grapard (other info)

Studio Sound, March 1992 (JMJ equipment sale, page 105 PDF)

Recording Engineer/Producer, August 1985 (Daniel Lazerus, engineer interview – PDF pages 33 & 36)

Mix, May 1984 (Clinton Studios info – pages 90-91)

Musician, April 1986 (PDF page 68 – Adrian Belew info)

Various photos