A Musical Analysis Of Jean Michel Jarre’s Oxygene 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQzkQVGpmnU

Thierry Lebon put together this detailed, multi-part analysis of Jean Michel Jarre’s classic Oxygene 2, recreating it with inexpensive software and minimal gear:

Here I will show you that you can break that song down into its instrument tracks , and perform an acoustic analysis of each and every sound.

I will show you that it is possible to reproduce that with a cheap minimal equipment, just by ear and instinct, with no scores, no MIDI file, no computer. All is hand played except for rythmics part … this is real music recorded with my “old school” method !

In this first part, I try to reproduce the rythm played in the original JMJ’s Oxygene, with the Korg MiniPops 7 ; here, I used a standalone free application called Rythmus by ElektroStudio. In that software, you can adjust the volume of each sounds, the pan, the tune, the volume and the global tempo ; 2 presets are used simultaneously : Beguin and Slow Rock for Oxygene 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knLi3WKMx68

In the second section, Lebon does a basic test:

this is a basic test : I will show you that it’s possible to play Oxygene 2 with minimal equipment : 2 synths, 2 effects, one VSTi … here 4 tracks are tested : phased wind (sh-101 + small stone) ; sequence 1 : internal sequencer of the sh-101 + memory boy ; rythmus by elektrostudio ; mellotron tape choir and bass (Alesis Fusion 8hd)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpytSQ3mqoE

Next up:

How to make a soft version of Oxygene 2 with minimal equipment : only 2 synths !

All is hand and by ear played .This is a very “light” cover ! I recorded 10 audio tracks with Presonus Studio One, but without automation and I have to add 2 tracks for noises with the Roland SH-101.

I only use Rythmus (by ElektroStudio), Alesis Fusion 8 HD, Roland SH-101, Electro-Harmonix Small Stone (Phaser) and Memory Boy (Tape Delay).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa3hHQr6xvI

In Part 3/4, the final cover:

One Alesis Fusion 8 HD + one Roland SH-101 + one Electro-Harmonix Small Stone + one Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy + software Rythmus by ElektroStudio, one USB AudioBox Presonus + Studio One + very much time to analyze = one cover of Oxygene 2 – Jean Michel Jarre, by a non musician, newbie in music, but working by ear and all hand played with errors on tempo and fingers position, … so SORRY for mistakes !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26YtKNsosYI

In part 4/4, Lebon looks at processing effects with analog pedals:

Noises, electronic sounds, effects used in my Cover of Oxygene 2 – Jean Michel Jarre, all sounds go thru analog pedals (E-H Small Stone Phaser and Memory Boy)

Finally, Lebon demonstrates the main Alesis Fusion 8 HD sounds:

Main Samples, sounds, keys and chords used with the Alesis Fusion 8 HD to make my Final Cover of Oxygene 2 – Jean Michel Jarre

via tlnet37

3 thoughts on “A Musical Analysis Of Jean Michel Jarre’s Oxygene 2

  1. I heart these analyses — all these skillful reverse-engineers have a keen ear for detail and admirable obsession. It's also educational.

    Also on a high note, reminds me of the "Smack My Bitch Up" deconstruction in Ableton Live.

    And who can forget how Blondie's "Heart of Glass", complete with its own drum machine part, was made?

    [youtube 2K4zdG0QfOA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K4zdG0QfOA youtube]

  2. Dear Synthhead! I would like to establish the contact with you.Please give me your email address. I would like to know ,how playing the oxygen 2 and what kind of musical instruments used exactly. Thank you Tibor Mathe from hungary

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