Patch #13 Synthetic Harp in 6

Posted on March 13, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

One of my favorite sounds on polysynths are the plucky, fast decay patches that are great for arpeggiators. I have found myself gravitating toward generating lots of these on the Super Jupiter as I learn the instrument, but I hadn’t bothered saving any of them knowing that I could easily dial them up again when necessary. However, a couple of days ago I decided to start managing my creations. So far I have saved thirteen original patches including “Clangorous Bells” (one through three), a synth clav, a PWM bass, and the most recent of the lot that I titled “Synthy Harp”. Here’s a short passage produced with “Synthy Harp”, patch number thirteen.

Real Time MKS-80 Programming

Posted on March 7, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

Now that I have the MKS-80 repaired I have started organizing ways to program the synth in real time. Without the MPG-80 programmer, or a suitable substitute, the MKS-80 does not lend itself well as a performance instrument. At least that is the case if you’re like me and insist on having real time tactile control of a good majority of the parameters. The following sequence was recorded while programming the MKS-80 in real time utilizing the reKon Audio VST-AU MKS-80 Editor mapped in Ableton Live to a MIDI controller. The MIDI controller I used only has about twelve assignable knobs and sliders, so I carefully chose the parameters that would provide the more interesting results. This included most of the parameters in the VCF plus LFO speed and cross modulation.

MKS80 Arp Real Time Control

DGK at the Red Stag Supper Club Set 3

Posted on February 28, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

As promised, here is the third set from the DGK performance at the Red Stag on February 19, 2011. (Photo by Dane Messall of DGK at the Slam Factory)

DGK at the Red Stag Set 3

DGK at the Red Stag Supper Club Set 2

Posted on February 27, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

I found a nice little description of our trio DGK on the Red Stag event calendar: “DGK is a Minneapolis supergroup of sorts, comprised of bassist/clarinetist Jon Davis (Ghostband, Haunted House, Black Audience), drummer Tim Glenn (Heatdeath, ex-Fog, ex-Poor Line Condition) and keyboardist John Keston (Ostracon, Ostraka, Keston and Westdal). Blending elements of jazz, funk, afrobeat, krautrock and post-punk with a dancefloor sensibility, the trio builds sprawling improvisations atop a foundation of rock solid groove.” Here is the second set from our performance on February 19, 2011 at the Reg Stag. I previously posted the first set in the article Music Technology Soul Searching and will post the third set in an upcoming article. One Synthesizer Sound Everyday listeners, be prepared for healthy portions of Rhodes and Pro-One through Memory Man delay. (Photo by Chris LeBlanc)

DGK at the Red Stag Set 2

Short Circuit Videos

Posted on February 26, 2011 by John C.S. Keston

Short Circuit – 021911 – Ostraka from Low-Gain on Vimeo.

Short Circuit – 021911 – Sputnik Viper from Low-Gain on Vimeo.

Short Circuit – 021911 – Square Wail from Low-Gain on Vimeo.

Short Circuit – 021911 – web dimension from Low-Gain on Vimeo.

Logan Erickson, also known as Low-Gain, organizes the monthly electronic music event called Short Circuit. As well as doing a great job with the event, he produces excellent, HD documentation with the direct audio signal from the house system synched up to the video. Above is his documentation from the February 19, 2011 event that I had the pleasure of participating in. Checkout his Vimeo page to see videos from former Short Circuit events and interesting experiments by Low-Gain.