Audiovisual Collaboration: The Dark at the End of the Tunnel

Posted on October 17, 2023 by John C.S. Keston

This is the last in a series of live audiovisual collaborations with Chris LeBlanc and Shawna Lee. The performance was captured at at the Lakely in the Oxbow Hotel, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (https://www.theoxbowhotel.com/lakely/) on September 30, 2023.

Chris LeBlanc and Shawna Lee produced live visuals using their integrated, modular video synthesis systems as I performed. This piece titled, Dark at the End of the Tunnel, is an electro-acoustic piano composition. In this adaptation I used a a stage piano, but the processing and accompaniment are as they would be if the piece were performed on an acoustic instrument.

Please take a look at Chris’ (@blindprophet) and Shawna’s (@iamadot) Instagram feeds to see more of their work.

Audiovisual Collaboration: Chris LeBLanc & Shawna Lee, Part 2

Posted on October 12, 2023 by John C.S. Keston

Chris and Shawna produced live visuals using their integrated, modular video synthesis systems as I performed. This as yet untitled piece is driven by morphing drums and sequences on the Dirtywave M8 tracker. I also improvised parts on the Osmose Expressive E and the Numa X Piano GT.

This is the second in a series of live audiovisual collaborations with Chris LeBlanc and Shawna Lee. The performance was captured at at the Lakely in the Oxbow Hotel, Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September 30, 2023. Chris and Shawna produced live visuals using their integrated, modular video synthesis systems as I performed. This as yet untitled piece is driven by morphing drums and sequences on the Dirtywave M8 tracker. I also improvised parts on the Numa X Piano GT and the Osmose Expressive E.

Please take a look at Chris’ (@blindprophet) and Shawna’s (@iamadot) Instagram feeds to see more of their work.

ACB Live Volume 1 & 2 Videos

Posted on January 24, 2023 by John C.S. Keston

AudioCookbook Live is underway over on Twitch.TV with the next episode to feature musician Eric Julio Carranza on February 21, 2023. In the meantime enjoy these captured version of the first two sessions from the series:

ACB Live Volume 2 featured Chris LeBlanc on visuals, John C.S. Keston on synthesizers, and Charles Hainworth on cameras and streaming.

ACB Live Volume 1 featured a solo performance John C.S. Keston on synthesizers, with Chris LeBlanc on cameras and streaming.

Read on for a few screen grabs from volume 2: Continue reading →

Audiovisual Granular Synthesis of Water Objects

Posted on June 19, 2014 by John C.S. Keston

This is a screen capture from a Max project I developed that does interactive, synchronized, granular synthesis of corresponding sound and video that’s tentatively titled AVGM for Audiovisual Grain Machine. I have used the software during aperformance at the Echofluxx festival in Prague and at the Katherine E. Nash gallery for the opening of The Audible Edge exhibition during Northern Spark 2014.

Duet Under Bridge

Posted on April 23, 2013 by John C.S. Keston

This piece was shot under a railroad bridge that I ride under during my commute. While trains are going over the bridge a nice rumbling, screechy ambience envelopes the space. On this occasion, a few weeks ago, melting icicles were dripping onto the sidewalk adding a chaotic rhythm to the soundscape. Rather than producing a drone to mimic the ambience I used noise, LFO pitch sweeps, and sample-and-hold on the Monotribe to contrast the reverberated railroad rumbling, and screeching.

NOTE: This is a binaural recording mixed with a monophonic, analog, synthesizer performance. Please use circumaural headphones to experience the binaural effect.