how I got here:

When I was a kid I had this vague impression that synthesizers were some kind of unusual instruments capable of making totally wicked sounds. But when I grew up and started to explore the synth environment more closely, I found myself surrounded mostly by classic (read: cheesy) presets. This disappointment was followed by an intense desire to discover the essence of the matter. I wanted to uncover all the creative possibilities that had been overlooked or simply ignored by the average synth user. I bought my first synth (an Alpha Juno) and got hooked. I began to scan local ads and buy cheap used synths one after another. Then I thought I could (and should!) present these synths and the way they sounded to the wider public, as there had not been that many demos on the Internet at that time. This is how my “Jexus” channel came to be.

what I do now and how it happens:

Then I felt I needed a break. Willy-nilly I had been a “youtuber” before it became popular so I was one of the first people to discover the downsides of this lifestyle. After 6 years of slumber / premature retirement I returned to continue making demos of synths. Despite all that inactivity, the audience remembered my videos and never stopped visiting my channel. Many people liked my sound design and my video editing style, and cared to support me. Thank you!

If I come across an interesting synth, it usually takes me several months to tweak it inside out in order to understand it, make some interesting patches (do the synth justice), record the material, and then edit it into the final form that you see on Youtube. No talking, no paid promotion, no dramas – just synths and the waves we make together.

sound design:

Apart from commercial soundpacks I also make factory presets for new synths. I’ve worked with big manufacturers like Moog Music and Ashun Sound Machines, as well as smaller companies, so I’m familiar with various types of workflows. If you enjoy the distinctive style of my video presentations and / or you have a prototype that needs presets provided in a timely manner – do let me know!

support:

I’d rather not create gated communities in the synth world so all my works will be public. In order to retain my independence and keep the reviews unbiased, I buy synths with my own money and I never review synths that I received from synth manufacturers for beta-testing / sound design. If you like what I do and the way I do it, you can support me via Patreon, or if you don’t want to part with your cash in any form, you can support me each time you buy gear in Thomann / Perfect Circuit: explanation. It’s really simple.

personal thoughts (from GAS times):

On the older picture above I am surrounded by tiers of synths. Don’t be misled into thinking this is some kind of a way to become a happy and fulfilled person or musician. Life & workflow do not become much brighter, easier or more enjoyable just because you have 50 cool synths and piles of colorful junk… If you cross the line, it all actually gets darker. Accumulating tons of gear with the belief that a large amount of equipment will allow you to achieve fantastic results is just exchanging paper for plastic. The things you own end up owning you – remember this line from a famous movie? In my opinion, the greatest feat – or art – is to extract something interesting and original from a limited set of tools. Sometimes we just tend to make things more complex than they really need to be. Find 3 or 4 synths that are easy to operate and sound good to your ears, learn them inside out, use them effectively. Keep things simple and have fun!