Berlin School iPad Synth Jam

Sunday Synth Jam: This synth jam, Moonchild, by UK synthesist Mark Jenkins is not just a great Berlin School jam, but it demonstrates the iPad in an old school synth music context.

Jenkins has been active in the UK electronic music scene for over 20 years, performing with White Noise, and with members of Can, Gong, Van Der Graaf Generator and Tangerine Dream.

His latest album, The iPad Album, may rely on the latest technology, but Jenkins’ music still draws on the influences of artists like Jean Michel Jarre, TD, Klaus Schulze and other classic synth music artists.

Jenkins notes that he used these apps on his album:

  • iSequence (sounds and drums)
  • Jasuto Pro (modular synthesizer)
  • FunkBox (drums)
  • Thicket (touch responsive sounds)
  • SoundyThingie (touch responsive sounds)
  • MorphWiz (Theremin-style sounds)
  • SoundWarp (sampled sounds)
  • OrbNote (ambient backings)
  • SoundYeah (live audio loops)
  • Mellotron M3000 (chords).

Jenkins’ album is available on Groove.nl.

5 thoughts on “Berlin School iPad Synth Jam

  1. I love this type of music but have not idea what he's doing on the iPad.

    Mark – if you see this, give us some of the details!

  2. "Jean Michel Jarre, TD, Klaus Schulze" to have these people as your main influence is like having no influence at all. It's now generic synth music sound and it's enough to use presets only.

  3. I *sort of* agree. The music's not bad, and he knows what he's doing, for sure. But it is kind of a long way to go with a bunch of software and things to recreate a specific style of music from the 1970s.

    That said, I am curious to know how he employed Jasuto Pro, and if he 'played' it live. That software is rad and fun to play with, a bit unwieldy/unpredictable. I would find it difficult to perform with it in a total useful and/or musical way. (Not that I've tried really hard or anything.)

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