Plugged In: Spirit Catcher

Plugged In: Spirit Catcher

11 November, 2010 | 4.37AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: plugged in, spirit catcher, systematic

At long last, Belgium’s Spirit Catcher are back with their new album, Partners in Crime. Since their last album, 2007’s Night Vision, the Brussels boys have kept busy perfecting their brand of Italo-influenced disco, deep house and chilled electro-funk for labels like 20:20 Vision, NRK, and Moodmusic; they return to Systematic, which released last year’s Sedona EP, for the full length.

There are plenty of artists working in a similar vein these days, but one of the things that makes Partners in Crime immediately stand out is the richness of the sound. That’s thanks in large part to the fact that Spirit Catcher’s Jean Vanesse and Thomas Sohet know their way around a recording studio. We wanted to find out which machine was responsible for their warm, analog sound, so we lined them up for our new series Plugged In, in which we ask producers to tell us about a favorite piece of studio gear.

Jean Vanesse tells us about one of the gems in their collection—made all the more special, probably, because they got it from a gas station without paying anything. (Some guys have all the luck...)

What is it, and what does it do?

Well, it’s difficult to choose, as we’re analog lovers. But retrospectively I’ll say that our favorite piece of gear is our Roland Jupiter 8. It’s in our opinion by far the most elegant and musical synth probably ever made. It just works in a track; it elevates and enhances but at the same time is quite understated. Own one and then you will see why the price is so high. No other synths in the world can create analog sounds as cool and authentic as these. This fantastic synth was launched in 1982 and Roland only produced 2000 copies. You were able to play eight notes simultaneously, which was quite a revolution at that time. 
Loved by so many artists and producers from the ‘80s like Duran Duran, Underworld, Vince Clarke, Depeche Mode, Prince, Toto, Yes, George Duke, Greg Phillanganes, Cameo, Stevie Wonder… It’s a classic!

When and where did you acquire it?

Actually I found mine in 1994 in a gas station close to my parents’ house. I remember the gas station’s owner told me he was playing in a church with his Jupiter, but he was not really happy about the way it sounded—I can imagine! Then he explained me he was more looking for a synth with organ presets. I told him I could find something for himand we could do a swap. The next day we did the exchange, and everyone was really happy!

How do you use it in your own music?

In fact, you can do absolutely everything with the JP8: monster basslines, ultra warm pads, intergalactic bleeps and FX, stabs…

Honestly, we did almost everything (except the drums) with the Jup on our latest album, Partners in Crime. If you want to have a good example of its capacity, the most representative track on this album is certainly “Jupiter Jam"—the bassline, pads and all other synth lines are done with the Jupiter. This track is a sort of tribute to this amazing synth! Thomas did also a sample CD last year called Vintage Star Bleeping. We don’t have particular tricks with this synth, except that we use it most of the time in unison mode and in stereo. We like also the try many plugs-in on it, it “futurizes” the Jupiter very well… Anyway, I don’t know why Roland don’t want to produce a new 100% true analog Jupiter 8. Moog brought back the Minimoog. Dave Smith has the Prophet ‘08. I’m sure an updated version of the JP8 would sell like hotcakes...


Spirit Catcher Beatport Top 10

Spirit Catcher, Partners in Crime [Systematic]

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