Cassette Tape and Evolving MKS-80 Pad Driven by GMS

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

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

GMS Generated MKS-80 Bassline

Finally the GMS meets the Roland MKS-80. During our Ostracon release performance coming up on Friday, June 24, 2011 I plan on using the MKS-80 for the first time in a live setting… vis-à-vis without a keyboard. Here’s a bassline I generated and looped in Ableton with the GMS routed to the MKS-80 controlled by the Bitstream 3X.

GMS Generated MKS-80 Bassline

Evolving Vexations Bassline

This evolving bassline that’s arpeggiated on tritones was the apex of my interpretation of Erik Satie’s composition Vexations during Piotr Szyhalski piece Empty Words at Northern Spark early on the morning of Sunday, June 5, 2011. Eventually I will reproduce how I arranged these parts for the performance and share it here.

Evolving Vexations Bassline