Life is a canvas. Paint your world. http://tobyryan.com The Official Music, Creativity and Life of Toby Ryan. posterous.com Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:57:00 -0800 New Tunes on SoundCloud http://tobyryan.com/new-tunes-on-soundcloud http://tobyryan.com/new-tunes-on-soundcloud

Soundcloud
Lately I've been experimenting and learning new studio techniques and playing with a few new popular styles including Electronic, Dubstep, Pop and more. It's been a lot of fun! You can check it out at my new... 

SoundCloud

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:16:05 -0800 New Single "Hopeful Stories" Available Now! http://tobyryan.com/new-single-hopeful-stories-available-now http://tobyryan.com/new-single-hopeful-stories-available-now

Trhopefulstories

Download "Hopeful Stories" Here!

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:20:00 -0700 Assigning audio samples to keys in GarageBand For Mac. http://tobyryan.com/assigning-audio-samples-to-keys-in-garageband http://tobyryan.com/assigning-audio-samples-to-keys-in-garageband

Musicaltyping
In this easy tutorial, I'll show you how to assign your audio samples in GarageBand for Mac. Chop up your music, sample beats and control them with your MIDI devices or keyboard. Check out the video below...

PRO TIP: Make sure to "Save Instrument" again after adding all your samples, so you can use it again later.

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:30:00 -0700 Adventures with MIDI Keyboard and iPad http://tobyryan.com/adventures-with-midi-keyboard-and-ipad http://tobyryan.com/adventures-with-midi-keyboard-and-ipad

Ipadmidi

How to connect a USB MIDI Keyboard to an iPad using GarageBand. Can it be done? YES. 

What you'll need: 

iPad (Either model will work.). 

GarageBand (for iPad). 

iPad Camera Connection Kit. 

Powered USB Hub

USB MIDI Keyboard/Piano. 

Pro Tip: If GarageBand doesn't appear to be recognizing your keyboard, try restarting your iPad by holding down the home button and the lock button simultaneously on the iPad until you see a black screen with an Apple logo. Open GarageBand, assign an instrument (like drums, keyboard, etc.) and it should work.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:41:00 -0800 A Song Created Entirely with an iPad and GarageBand. http://tobyryan.com/a-song-created-entirely-with-an-ipad-and-gara http://tobyryan.com/a-song-created-entirely-with-an-ipad-and-gara

To see if it could be done; This track was composed, recorded and mixed entirely with an iPad using the  app called GarageBand. Toby's vocals, the iPad (1st gen) and headphones were the only things used to create the entire song. This track introduces a new, fun and entirely new mobile musical experience for music creation.

As soon as GarageBand for iPad was released I got to work immediately on my latest song, Burning Brighter. The entire "compose wherever I am" caught my attention when the new GarageBand was announced a few weeks ago. Since the release of the first iPad I dreamed of writing music on the go. Now that my dream has come true, I jumped right in and this is what I accomplished. 

Burning_Brighter.m4a Listen on Posterous

 It started with the keyboard...

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As I progressed through the entirely new experience, it became clear that there are a few things missing from the original GarageBand for Mac. Now obviously since it's a mobile version it will lack some features and add limitations. I understand that, but just for the sake of review I'll let you know a few of them. For instance, there isn't a MIDI region editor to edit MIDI notes. This probably won't bother most average users because they simply play once and don't mind messing up because they're simply having fun; however, for professionals it means annoyance to have to play notes and chords over and over again to perfection just to fix one problem note, especially on a touch screen. It also has limited measures (my song length is 02:47 because of it.) and it only has 8 tracks to record with. You can't drag and drop MIDI events into other software instrument tracks either. There are many more, but I assume they'll all be fixed and updated. Those really aren't that big of a deal if you love playing music and being creative. ... That's what it's all about. 

Would I recommend this app? YES. Let me tell you why...

Things I *really* enjoyed about recording with GarageBand on iPad: 

1.) When it crashed (about 11 times through the entire recording process.) I didn't loose anything. I just opened GarageBand back up again and started right where I left off. That's a huge deal.

2.) Only having 8 tracks to work with.

Photo_mar_11_1_28_23_am

It became kind of a love/hate relationship, but it was a fun challenge composing with those limitations. I pushed this program to the max and it kept going strong. 

3.) All of the Smart Instruments and Software Instruments.

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This is one area where the iPad version of GarageBand really shines. It offers some of the most intuative instruments I've ever played on any mobile device. They sound incredible too! Many to choose from and play with. If that's all you're looking for then look no further, because this is your app.

4.) The Sampler.

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Okay this is way too much fun. How much fun? Imagine singing "Laa" into the mic and then being able to play that same audio sample back on a keyboard, not only that but it automatically transposes the "Laa" to the entire keyboard to play chords etc.. Definitely an awesome addition. The fact that a sampler is on a mobile device blows my mind. 

The entire experience, I'd say, was a positive one. GarageBand for iPad has plenty of room to grow and mature into an even more amazing mobile studio. Now for professional songs this is probably a little far off; However for writing songs on the fly and getting your ideas ready to jump over to a more serious music creation tool like GarageBand for Mac or a professional recording studio like Logic Pro Studio for Mac, then this iPad version of GarageBand will certainly jumpstart you in your songwriting and musical compositions on to bigger and better sounds... wherever you are. 

Have fun and stay creative! 

Buy GarageBand for iPad Here [iTunes Link]

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan - Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:15:00 -0800 Celebrating Another Year http://tobyryan.com/celebrating-another-year-0 http://tobyryan.com/celebrating-another-year-0

Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by. It's my birthday today and I wanted to give you all a party favor! A NEW SONG! It's free if you want it or name your price. So grab a pair of headphones or blast it on your stereo. Thanks again! 

Thisisyou

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Sat, 04 Dec 2010 13:10:00 -0800 Hello, Peru. http://tobyryan.com/hello-peru http://tobyryan.com/hello-peru

The Arrival In Cusco.

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Meeting The Locals.

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Train to Machu Picchu.

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The Food, The Nights, The Beauty.

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The Work. Fitting Eyeglasses, to over 100+ People.

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Introducing new friends to the iPad. :)

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Beautiful Goodbyes, In Lima.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:10:00 -0700 May the Force be with you and your Halloween. http://tobyryan.com/may-the-force-be-with-you-and-your-halloween http://tobyryan.com/may-the-force-be-with-you-and-your-halloween

Exploring new worlds and having a Happy Halloween. Hope yours was fun too! 

(These also make really awesome iPhone/iPod retina display wallpapers.)

Jedi_0 Jedi_1 Jedi_2 Jedi_3 Jedi_4 Jedi7 Epicbattleeditiontobyryan
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:00:00 -0700 Helicopter In My Back Yard! http://tobyryan.com/helicopter-in-my-back-yard http://tobyryan.com/helicopter-in-my-back-yard

Today out of the blue (sky) came flying over the house and landing in the backyard. The pilot and friends got out, waved and visited some people next door. After the visit, they took off on another grand adventure. 

 

HelicopterInMyBackyard.mov Watch on Posterous

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Fri, 28 May 2010 17:36:00 -0700 Creativity On The Go (Apps I buy and use.) http://tobyryan.com/typedrawing-for-ipad http://tobyryan.com/typedrawing-for-ipad

 

TouchRetouch HD for iPad

Touchhd
My most current favorite: TouchRetouch HD. (Also, TouchRetouch for iPhone.) It's one of those "see it to believe it" essentials that should come standard for every iPad. Everything you'd expect from CS5 Content Aware has been geniusly devloped down into a single app and couldn't be easier to use. Touch the areas you want removed, click go and watch those distractions disappear from your very eyes as if by magic. Most favorite Photography iPad app I've yet found.
Mobile_photo_jun_18_2010_8_49_09_pm Mobile_photo_jun_18_2010_8_49_18_pm
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Qvik Sketch Pro for iPad

Sketch

Here is an awesome yet easy to learn app called Qvik Sketch Pro. (also Qvik Sketch for iPhone.) It's a simple drawing app that turns an amateur finger into a more fine tuned brush. The different styles of drawing techniques to choose from is quite impressive. Drawing out ideas never became more fun when what you see in your head, really comes out onto the screen in a way that will no doubt kindle a spark in your creative imagination. Don't miss out on this one.

Drawing with fingers in Qvik Sketch Pro does take some getting used to, as you'll see the sketches below.

Photo Photo Image
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TypeDrawing for iPad

Asd

Here's a fun little gem called: TypeDrawing for iPad. (also Type Drawing for iPhone.) It's basically a drawing application with a twist. Instead of typical line drawings, it offers type. The additional fonts to choose as well as your own phrase, plus custom colors adds up to be quite an enjoyable experience. A Winner? I think so. Definitely snag yourself a copy. This is a really fun and creative app that allows for what would normally take an hour worth of custom Illustrator techniques, one can posses the instant click on and play features with this simple and efficient creative tool thats on your iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch.

Sonictypedraw Mytypedrawing
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Freeform for iPad

Asd

The first iPad app I bought, called Freeform for iPad. This little snazzy vector creation tool is much like a lite version of Illustrator. Many of the features include, a pen tool, objects like circle, triangle, line tools, gradients, boolean options, and many more. At first glance it seems pretty basic, however, there are many hidden gems inside the user interface that make this a very valuable and usable tool for on the go vector creation. As it is a mobile app, it does have it's few quirks with it being a touch screen but, it is a lot of fun and very convenient having quick access to some pretty powerful vector tools on the go in this new era of mobile devices.

Photo Photo
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Thu, 20 May 2010 11:44:00 -0700 My DIY iPad Case http://tobyryan.com/my-diy-ipad-case http://tobyryan.com/my-diy-ipad-case
After waiting weeks for an Apple iPad case, I decided it was time to take action and make my own in the meantime. How hard could it be right? Well, turns out, it's a huge pain. However, with a little tender love and care, one can make a simple case to keep away those scratch monsters. Ready to get creative? Start by drawing out a game plan on what you'd like it to do first. Then gather those scraps of fabric or purchase them at a store, use a sewing machine, and voila!
I call it the Denim Back Pocket for iPad.

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Opening the case, you'll see a simple design that allows the iPad to slip right in, nice & snug.
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What's this? Surprise! It turns out, it's nice to have an extra place to put that iPhone or iPod touch. (or maybe a camera connection kit, AC adaptor, etc..)
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Originally the design was denim only. However, as you'll see on the inside, an additional perk, a black micro fiber liner to keep those ugly finger prints away, leaving the iPad fresh and clean upon each use (micro fiber lining in both inside pockets.). It's a pretty snazzy little back pocket with functionality. I'm no seamstress, but this gets the job done.
If you've been wanting a case and are willing to try the whole DIY method, I say go for it! 

Stay creative! :)

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1137179/TR-2.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5emkdPYjKzJL Toby Ryan Toby Ryan Toby Ryan