Feeling glum? Happy Chiptune Ringtone can help!
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From the category archives:
Music
One of my musical challenges, not from a compositional standpoint but an accessibility one, is that I don't like to conform to the archaic "CD can have 74-80 min. of music" limit. At the same time, an "album" is a relatable concept. So I had to evolve it into something my own.
Dream Journal, informally Volume I, is now available to download for a most reasonable US$14.44 with a total of 50 tracks (44 + 6 bonus pretty-ambient ones only in the complete download package). That's 001-050, if you're keeping track with my easy opus system. Another bonus: there's also rather charming commentary by yours truly on how 10 of these tracks came to be. I end up going off on tangents, and it's oh so Torley.
I can't claim this will regenerate lost limbs, but I hope Dream Journal shall entertain ye and open your mind up to fresh, sparkling sonic possibilities…
Get the Dream Journal album here… YAYZERAMA!
If you donated for the Dream Journal to support me before and feel this isn't fair, hey, I can help! Just get in touch — paste your original receipt so it gets flagged top priority — and let me know.
I can also assure you there'll be more stories for songs, and as always, between studio sessions, I welcome your inquisitions. Cheerio!
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Awesome fresh drum 'n' bass remix, out from me. It's about touchy-feely rabbits*, download it for free:
If you like it, check out Derek's source inspiration and please vote for me (look for "Torley BFF remix") because I entered it in the Ohm Force contest… and the rabbits will multiply with your love! That's something we definitely want to happen, right?
* Sexual harassment isn't funny.
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From the artist:
My name is Kervin Tran and I’m from Sweden. I work primarily with filmmaking and photography. First, I’d like to say that I love your music and your videos on Youtube truly inspire me. Last semester I attended a course called “Experimental Mediaproduction”. As an examination project I decided to make a music video using only computer generated effects. I also wanted to use music from an artist that I like and promote that artist, as a friendly gesture/tribute. And that artist happens to be you. Since you’ve given so much of yourself to others I thought it’s about time someone gave something to you.
So here’s the music video that I’ve created for “Old Country” from your musical Dream Journal:
What an awesome surprise! Thanx Kervin. 
I like the undulating geometric forms and how it syncs to the beat towards the end. "Old Country", as the story suggests, is philosophically about a return to simpler times, creating autotelically; creation itself is the purpose. Then, reviving that joy in the present so your love of creation isn't just a retrospective, but cherishing what is Good, Pure, & True irrespective of time. In a parallel way, the colorful essence of these animated shapes are also true to the CORE.
You can download Old Country (and the whole Dream Journal!)
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John Boswell is on a laudable mission I can relate to: making science more fun through music with his Symphony of Science musical project. Within all the recent uses of Auto-Tune I've heard, his are among the most beautiful. As I hope for more Michio Kaku and N.D. Tyson appearances, I remastered the music from the first video he did, "A Glorious Dawn".
Compare this to the original:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
… and you'll hear I've enhanced the bass (mmm luv how it walks and dances @ 2:09), clarity, and overall punch. 'Twas delighted to hear from John and that he enjoyed it too! If only there were a way to sync new audio tracks with YouTube videos without lossy degradation.
Check out more fan remixes of "A Glorious Dawn" (including Cherimoya Ihn's earlier remaster that inspired me) and let John know what you think!
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If you want more intense dreams, do this:
- Wake up.
- Do something that exhausts you.
- Go back to sleep in minutes.
This doesn't always work. (What does?) But when it does, you're plunged headlong into a phantasm of your greatest desires! A diorama of life's greatest delights, compleat with marching band that spans ten football fields and your very own angelic choir… which is what you're about to hear.
Maybe you should go to bed reading a page of your favorite book — electronic equivalents accepted — leave that thought and let it linger. You know those computer file importers? This is kinda like that, you can bring stuff into the dreamworld with you. Formatting isn't 100% intact, but at least you feel as you're floating. On your back, headed in that one direction. This time you're the bowling ball.
Things don't have to make sense to experience them.
Leveration = levitation + revelation
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Love piano music? Love your iPhone? Then you need this!
Click here to download 44 iPhone piano ringtones by Torley
Previews!
Amplify the awesomeness for yourself. All the ringtones, each played once:
Showing them fo' realz on da iPhone:
Background story
My Wife's been enjoying her iPhone, and she asked me to make a special ringtone for her. I searched for iPhone piano ringtone packs that were specially created (not just cut-up parts of other songs), and couldn't find any.
Natural consequence: I, a virtuoso pianist, decided to make a pack and fill the gap! I performed with effervescent passion and hand-picked the 44 choicest sparklers from the bunch. (It's a nice number.) From regal romance to spirited swooshes, these often-elegant, yet also playful moods are sure to enhance your telephonic experience and amaze your friends of exquisite taste.
Jennifer, my beloved creative kitty, this is dedicated to you.
How to use:
- After downloading the archive, unzip it.
- Open iTunes (on Windows or Mac).
- Drag and drop the unzipped [TOR] Piano Ringtones folder onto the Library section in iTunes. It highlights as you're dragging over it.
- Click Ringtones on the left, and you should see the [TOR] Piano (they're all prefixed for convenience) collection on the right. Double-click any to preview.
- Again on the left, under Devices, click your iPhone.
- On the right, click the Ringtones tab. You can select All ringtones or be more selective.
- Near the lower right, click Sync and wait a few moments.
- Then, on your iPhone, follow these steps from Apple to access them.
Contribute to more useful fun!
The above iPhone piano ringtunes are free, but if you want to support future ringtone packs and more useful fun, you can certainly donate!
You may also enjoy more of my music. If you feel moved, please leave a comment with your thoughts; this was oodles of autotelic amusement and I may do more in other styles — feel free to suggest!
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Brian Hazard of Color Theory does the uncommon good of sharing his experiences of the electronic music production process, including snippets of tracks-in-progress. While the Net has opened so many collaboration and behind-the-scenes opportunities, insecurity is still rife and I come across much fear of "spilling one's secrets". Thus, it's still comparatively rare to find computer musicians who find the time to share stories of their craft — understandable if someone is struggling enough for resources as it is.
Brian recently let me know in his post "Snippets 13-15", he cooked up his own dubsteppy take on my recipe for fried ride cymbals and it's included with two other song snippets. Thanks Brian for taking my, well, Theory and Color-ing it into action! He's got a great sense of exploring melody across styles, very catchy. In particular, my ears welcome the dancy piano grupettos in "Canadian Boards".
I also learned that Brian has been migrating to Ableton Live, and with the clean way he laid out that post with audio snippets after each step, it feels like Brian would be a natural fit for doing Audiotuts+ if he feels like it! Whaddaya think, Brian?
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![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
