HYDRAMORPH™ Morphing Editor for the ASM Hydrasynth

Posted on April 13, 2020 by John C.S. Keston

During self-isolation due to COVID-19 my teaching has moved online affording me more time toward individual projects. I had already started a building a morphing editor for the Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth, so this is where I have been directing my energy. I expected to release this software closer to mid-summer, but now it’s looking like early to mid-May. In this short video I illustrate one of the ways I use HYDRAMORPH to tease incredible sounds out of this very special instrument. I have also made discounted pre-orders available at 20% off the full release price until the release. From the Purchase page:

HYDRAMORPH™ is a generative sound design tool for the Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth polyphonic synthesizer. The application is designed to algorithmically morph parameters on the instrument in realtime. Keep playing or record the results as up to 366 (so far) parameters are manipulated! Use HYDRAMORPH to create anything from chaotic, rapidly-changing textures to slow, evolving drones. HYDRAMORPH will help you navigate the expansive sound design possibilities of the Hyrdasynth through realtime morphing of customized parameter sets. Explore endless, unique soundscapes, illustrating how diverse and powerful the Hydrasynth is. This tool will help you uncover new territory hidden within the sonic depths of your instrument.

Builders of the Fauxpocalyse

Posted on April 9, 2020 by John C.S. Keston

I’ve made so much music over the years and most of it is sitting on hard drives or gathering dust in neglected corners of the internet. Recently a listener reminded me of an album I made over 6 years ago hidden in one such dusty corner, so I moved it to another dusty corner. The album of electronic music was composed using a dogmatic approach that you can read more about in the liner notes. Bring a duster!

<a target="_blank" href="http://unearthedmusic.bandcamp.com/album/builders-of-the-fauxpocalypse" >Builders of the Fauxpocalypse by John C.S. Keston</a>

Video: REV2 Patch Degrader Demo & Sounds

Posted on February 26, 2019 by John C.S. Keston

This video describes and demonstrates the device I designed to create most of the patches in the REV2 Experimental Sound Set available here on AudioCookbook.org:

https://audiocookbook.org/prophet-rev2-patch-set/

I am hoping to make it available sometime in the next few months if I can gage enough interest for a release. To hear five minutes of just the patches (no talking) please skip to 9:56. Also a complete playlist of all 128 patches is available on SoundCloud:

Sound / Simulacra: Bloodline Recordings

Posted on January 8, 2019 by John C.S. Keston

On Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 Sound / Simulacra featured Bloodline at Jazz Central Studios. Bloodline is Peter Hennig (percussion), John C.S. Keston (Rhodes, synthesizers), and Cody McKinney (bass, vocals, electronics). During this concert, captured by Dave Kunath, we performed three pieces as a trio as well as solo pieces from each member of the group.

Sound / Simulacra: John C.S. Keston & Graham O’Brien Recordings

Posted on January 7, 2019 by John C.S. Keston

On Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 Sound / Simulacra featured Graham O’Brien at Jazz Central Studios. This was only the second event in the series and somehow these recordings captured by Dave Kunath slipped through the cracks. Fortunately I came across them recently so I can share them now. This concert was shortly before Graham and I performed for Merce Cunningham: Common Time at the Walker Art Center. During this period we were trying a lot of things with aleatoric techniques. This included graphic scores with chance elements, randomized digital sounds that Graham triggered from his acoustic drums, and randomized sound design I was triggering from the PreenFM2.