To date, Jean Michel Jarre has amassed more than 80m record sales and attracted world record audiences to his live shows. With the roots of his music in analogue synthesisers, the installation of a Solid State Logic AWS 948 Hybrid Console/Controller in his JMJ Studio facility in France marks a return to and old style of working, with the additional benefit of bringing DAW control to the console.
‘Early on, I had a massive SSL G-Series console that eventually gave way to a controller, but I was never really happy with the controller direction,’ he says. ‘I decided to go back to the more noble way of recording.
‘The console is a true analogue console with real, great sounding preamps and a platform where I can record and mix through analogue processing. I also get the best workflow for both analogue and DAW situations with the console. The AWS 948 is so much more rewarding to work with than a controller.’
Jarre is in the middle of a ‘fairly ambitious double album project’, where the new desk has quickly proven its worth: ‘The AWS made a noticeable difference in sound quality from the controller I had been using with Pro Tools,’ Jarre reports. ‘Putting them side-by-side, the sound of the AWS was immediately warmer and crystal clear. I create many of my tracks with synthesisers going directly into the AWS and the sound quality was superior to that of the controller. I feel like I am sonically real with the AWS, and that it helps me achieve the sound I’m looking for.’
Beyond the new release project, Jarre has several soundtrack projects lined up as well as works with friends on their productions: ‘The console is going to be used on a lot of projects in the coming years,’ Jarre says. ‘The technician and sound engineer working with me noticed that, when anybody enters the studio and sees the AWS and the SSL name, they are immediately confident. But what they really like is the results and they are very impressed by how compact the desk is related to what you can do with it. This is a big plus for me because the AWS 948 is really a big, professional desk in a small form factor. In these days, when more and more people are working on home studio situations, I think the AWS 948 is an ideal tool.’
More: www.solidstatelogic.com
