Jasper Wijnands a.k.a Shook is an independent producer, composer and musician based in The Netherlands. Shook’s’ music is inspired by artists such as Air and Yellow Magic Orchestra. In 2013 Shook released his self-titled debut album and later released the synth-pop and jazz funk inspired Spectrum in 2014, from which Milestones was featured in the very first episode of Netflix series Better Call Saul. He has been commissioned to do remixes for artists Kimbra, Jamiroquai, Phoenix, Ellie Goulding and many others.
We chatted with Jasper on how he’s using Sequential instruments in his music:
What made you choose Sequential?
“The Prophet ’08 was my first analog synthesizer. I remember I was so happy when I bought it and brought it back home. The way you can shape sound and get results in such an intuitive way was a very refreshing way for me to create music. It eventually ended up all over my album Spectrum.
A few years later, Dave Smith released the Prophet 12, which was also really incredible to me. I remember watching YouTube videos and listening to all the sound demos online. After testing it in the music shop, I bought it, brought it back to my studio, and I started creating huge pad sounds which ended up on my next album Continuum. You can hear Prophet 12 pads all over my song You Were Bigger Than Life.”
What’s one of your favorite things about Sequential synthesizers?
“I think Sequential synthesizers are all are unique. They all have a character of their own. The Prophet 12 is probably the Sequential synth I use most because it can cover such a wide range of sounds. It can do warm, cold, digital, or anywhere in between. It has this very nice hybrid quality in its sound which I really like.
Lately I have also been using the Prophet X a lot. Because of its sampling capabilities, it opens up a whole new world of sound-shaping possibilities. I like it that I can start with any sound and shape it to a sound I’ve never heard before. I like the idea of using acoustic elements within a sound and combining that with digital sounds. I like the sounds of nature, but I also like digital sounds. I try to find a balance between the two in creating music and sound.”
What does the Prophet X give you that other synths might not?
“I always wanted to use a modern sampler synthesizer, not in a workstation kind of way, but more in the spirit of the classic Fairlight and E-Mu Emulator sampler synthesizers. I think the Prophet X can do these classic sounds very well but with all the modern conveniences. That makes it quite special.”
Any interesting tricks or techniques you’d like to share?
“On the Prophet X, I like it that you can use Hack and Decimate to really give the samples a lot of grit and character. Also, the ability to incorporate user samples in the Prophet X opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Lately I have been recording loads of sounds with my portable recorder, and I can’t wait to load them into the Prophet X. I think it will produce interesting results.”
LINKS
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