Category Archives: GMS

The GMS (Gestural Music Sequencer), written in Processing.org by Unearthed Music recording artist and AudioCookbook.org founder John Keston, analyzes video input and converts it into a sequence of musical information in real-time. Each frame is processed to find the brightest pixel. The x coordinate is converted into pitch while the y coordinate is translated into dynamics. The application was also designed to use probability distributions on pitch and durations.

Cassette Tape and Evolving MKS-80 Pad Driven by GMS

Posted on June 23, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

After a few hiccups we have finally finished producing our limited run of cassettes. We only have 25 instead of the 50 we had planned, but all the j-cards and labels are printed so we can produce more quickly if need be. Each cassette contains a unique download code for multi-platform listening. A big thanks goes out to Unearthed Music designer Benjamin Montag for his design work and assembly. Also, major thanks to Wes without whom it would have never happened. Finally, thanks to Chris for the inspiration. For now, to get a cassette you will have to show up to the release show tomorrow night. Later on we may consign a few at local stores, but this media is for local consumption only.

Unauthorized Modifications was written and produced by John Keston (that’s me) and Graham O’Brien. The album was recorded, engineered and mixed by Adam Krinsky and mastered by Tom Garneau. For the release show performance I have opted to christen my Super Jupiter Roland MKS-80 for it’s first live show since I have owned it. Here’s an example of what I have been getting out of it and the GMS during my practice sessions.

Evolving MKS-80 Pad Driven by GMS

GMS Microtrack with MKS-80

Posted on June 22, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

I made this microtrack during a practice session for the release show on Friday. The sound of the Roland MKS-80 never ceases to delight my ears, and pairing it with the GMS provides a whole new spectrum of inspiration from the instrument.

GMS Microtrack with MKS-80

Early Ostracon Performance

Posted on June 21, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

Here’s an early live recording from Ostracon way back in September, 2009 that I thought would be interesting to share. We have come along way since then, but this documentation has a fragile, exploratory charm to it including hefty amounts of buzz and crackle from a bad cord.

The way I produced the recording was by putting my Sony PCM-50 near the drums, and then recording the Live set during the show. Afterward I put the drum track into the Live set and matched it up. The recorder started a little late, so it’s missing the first three minutes of drums, but there’s 34 more minutes with Graham’s spectacular drumming all over it. Enjoy!

Ostracon Live Recording, September 28, 2009 by Ostraka

Photon Coercion Video

Posted on June 20, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

Photon Coercion is the second track from the debut album by Ostracon titled Unauthorized Modifications. The video is a compilation of footage from the “light controllers” that I use to generate the music using the GMS. The album will be released electronically tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21, 2011 and available from all the major electronic outlets as well as directly from Unearthed Music. Also, please join us for the release show on Friday, June 24, 2011 featuring Dosh, Ostracon, Smyth, Ghostband, and live painting by Rogue Citizen.

New Version of GMS for Mac Available

Posted on June 19, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

On June 18, 2011 I released a new version of the GMS for Mac OSX that works on Snow Leopard. Previously the software only worked on 10.5.x. This new version can be downloaded from the GMS Google Code download page. The only features that might be new to you are the ability to define musical rest probabilities and video processing options that can be toggled by pressing shift + (1-4). Here’s an example of a few layered GMS midi clips that were generated during the Ostracon performance at the In/Out Festival, September, 2010. Incidentally, this was the last time that Ostracon performed. Since then we have been laying low in anticipation of our release show this Friday, June 24, 2011.

Ostracon In/Out Festival Clips