Coming Soon

**Hazel** · 06-06-2007, 09:08 AM

I know it's hard to believe.

Drum roll please. A light pattering of fingers on air will do . . .

At long last the audio version of Only Revolutions is done and thanks to CD Baby will soon be available exclusively as a download on iTunes and many other digital outposts.

I’ll update when the files are available. We’re told anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.

For now you can check out this link:

https://www.cdbaby.com/group/mzd

Basics go as follows:

Sam’s read by Mark Z Danielewski
Hailey’s read by Alexis Madden
Music by Danny Elfman

There are some bonus tracks including LITTLE RUNAWAY written by Poe when she was a teenager, the REVOLUTIONS OF RUIN everyone was asking about and the Wagnerian Only Revolutions PRELUDE.

The whole thing runs around 9 hours, broken into five parts or more precisely five reels.

Only Revolutions (Reel 1)
Only Revolutions (Reel 2)
Only Revolutions (Reel 3)
Only Revolutions (Reel 4)
Only Revolutions (Reel 5)

Each contains 18 tracks except for the fifth reel which has 18 tracks plus the three bonus tracks.

Tracks alternate between Sam & Hailey and are named according to speaker, chapter number, the title of the chapter and the pages. i.e. Hailey’s first track looks like this:

Hailey I.1 - Everyone Loves The Dream (pg 1-8)

Digitally this means you can listen to it as Sam/Hailey/Sam/Hailey etc. etc. or instantly arrange it according to name and listen to just Hailey or just Sam or with your own play lists arrange it anyway you like.

The whole thing will cost around $50 to download or $9.99 for each reel. Of course if you just want a taste you can download a couple of tracks for less than $2.

UPDATE

We were told iTunes would take around 3 weeks to list the files. Other purveyors might take 3 months. Clearly, like Sam & Hailey, things went a lot quicker. Currently Reels 1-4 are available on the iTunes music store. We have no idea when Reel 5 is going to post. My guess: soon.

Other purveyors include:

BuyMusic
Inprodicon
MusicIsHere
PayPlay
Tradebit
AudioLunchbox
GroupieTunes
Interia
MP3tunes
Napster
Ruckus
rVibe

CLARIFICATION

As of now there are no plans to release a hard-copy version of OR-Audio.

**heartbreak** · 06-06-2007, 09:35 AM

Sweet!

**heartbreak** · 06-06-2007, 09:44 AM

Four of the reels have allready been listed on iTunes, but they aren't accessable yet.

**g@rp** · 06-06-2007, 10:31 AM

By accessing through itunes fr, 72 tracks.
But : "impossible to access to itunes. Maybe saturated. Or verify your internet connexion and try later"...

**heartbreak** · 06-06-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g@rp

By accessing through itunes fr, 72 tracks.
But : "impossible to access to itunes. Maybe saturated. Or verify your internet connexion and try later"...

yup, I get pretty much the same message

**Ellimist** · 06-06-2007, 10:38 AM

Damn. That's expensive.

**heartbreak** · 06-06-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

Damn. That's expensive.

It's about average for an audio book.

**Ellimist** · 06-06-2007, 10:48 AM

Yeah, I know.

**CpVb006** · 06-06-2007, 01:52 PM

This is pretty awesome stuff. Seems well worth the wait.

I'm a bit confused though. Is this going to be an iTunes exclusive only? Or will a physical version also be available?

And if it's all avaialbe on iTunes now, what is the 3 weeks - 3 months?

Man, I'm excited.

EDIT: Seems as if the first four reels are working and downloadable on iTunes. These are great so far.

EDIT2: Well, maybe not. Right now, just 1 and 4 are. I don't know what's going on.

**underscore** · 06-06-2007, 07:40 PM

Music by Danny Elfman? Awesome!!

I'm really looking forward to hearing this!

**Johnny Truant** · 06-06-2007, 08:50 PM

I've successfully downloaded Reels 1, 2, 3 and 4 from iTunes... and I really want to spend another $9.99 to have the full set.

I had figured out Danny Elfman from some of the clues Mark laid out for us during the book tour, plus his past collaboration with Poe, his family members' appearance at one of the readings, and one of Mark's comments about listening to Elfman's latest cd (at the time). I've been excited for this for awhile, and it is great to finally have most of it in my possession!

Now, Apple and CDBaby... hurry up with Reel 5!

EDIT: http://payplay.fm/artist/Mark+Z+Danielewski

**heartbreak** · 06-07-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CpVb006

And if it's all avaialbe on iTunes now, what is the 3 weeks - 3 months?

Possibly....

3 weeks from now will be July- The month the paperback is supposed to be released.

3 months from now..June, July, August- Then it will be September in which the paperback tour is supposed to start.

**Ellimist** · 06-07-2007, 07:58 AM

At PayPlay... "All tracks are 192kbps high fidelity sound quality." and in MP3.

iTunes is .m4a or whatever and only playable on three machines and one ipod or whatever bullshit.

I think I might go with PayPlay, it is even about $6 cheaper (all 5 reels, once the fifth is out).

**heartbreak** · 06-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

At PayPlay... "All tracks are 192kbps high fidelity sound quality." and in MP3.

iTunes is .m4a or whatever and only playable on three machines and one ipod or whatever bullshit.

I think I might go with PayPlay, it is even about $6 cheaper (all 5 reels, once the fifth is out).

Thanks for pointing that out. I think I will go with PayPlay as well.

**Ellimist** · 06-07-2007, 10:38 AM

Oh, look! An update.

Yes, I guess I will be buying it soon. w00t. I listened to the clips on CDBaby... and it is oddly "soothing" or at least relaxing and enjoyable to listen to, particularly when MZD is reading.

**g@rp** · 06-07-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

Oh, look! An update.

Where ? Where ?

**Ellimist** · 06-07-2007, 12:26 PM

Haha. Near the bottom of the first post by Hazel.

**Johnny Truant** · 06-07-2007, 03:57 PM

Based on Hazel's update, I've done some research:

MusicIsHere: No DRM, MP3, MPEG4-AAC, MPC, OGG VORBIS, WMA, FLAC. 99 cents per track. So far this is the only lossless site I could find. I've just registered there and plan to buy the lossless version from them once it becomes available. Until then, I've already gotten the iTunes version.

iTunes: DRM, only playable on select devices and only shareable on five PCs. These files are .m4p files, which retail for $9.99 per reel or 99 cents per track.

BuyMusic: Apparently also DRM, WMA, only playable on select devices, and you purchase the rights to play the files.

Inprodicon: DRM filled independent digital music in the Nordic region.

PayPlay: 77 cents per track DRM filled WMA files or 88 cents per track non-DRM mp3s.

Tradebit: Sells lots of digital goods. No idea on format or pricing.

AudioLunchbox: Has up to forty paid for and an additional fifty free downloads non-DRM mp3s with a one month subscription for $9.99. This could be a low cost alternative at least if you want to purchase the set.

GroupieTunes: Seems to be a cellphone based digital music wholesaler.

Interia: Polish digital music distribution.

MP3tunes: 88 cents per track non-DRM mp3s.

Napster: DRM filled MP3s and WMAs. Different subscription models, only playable on up to 3 PCs and 3 mp3 devices.

Ruckus: Interesting offer if you've got an existing .edu email address. Ruckus allows free downloads for all college email addresses. This could be the least expensive way to acquire the reels.

rVibe: Currently in beta testing, so I couldn't get in.

**Ellimist** · 06-07-2007, 04:15 PM

I could not even find it on Ruckus and it requires a "Ruckus Player." (not sure what that means for .mp3 files)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Truant

AudioLunchbox: Has up to forty paid for and an additional fifty free downloads non-DRM mp3s with a one month subscription for $9.99. This could be a low cost alternative at least if you want to purchase the set.

That's 90 downloads for 10 bucks. There are 93 tracks in this OR Audio Project thing. So you would have to pay for another month, or just buy the last three from iTunes or another place, unless they are "album only" then you are screwed. (AudioLunchBox doesn't have them either)

MusicIsHere... lossless formats... eh. It's spoken word with some music. Not too big of a deal to me.

I think I am still going to go with PayPlay - cheapest and available now.

**heartbreak** · 06-07-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

That's 90 downloads for 10 bucks. There are 93 tracks in this OR Audio Project thing. So you would have to pay for another month, or just buy the last three from iTunes or another place, unless they are "album only" then you are screwed. (AudioLunchBox doesn't have them either)

One could always skip three they know they can buy individually through iTunes. Just a helpful hint for any thinking of this option.

**Ellimist** · 06-07-2007, 07:14 PM

Okay... so... The OR Audio Project for $10 sounds so amazing, I doubt it is true.

I went to AudioLunchBox... and based on their selection of known bands... I have a feeling... 40 tracks for 10 bucks a month is legitimate... but the 50 free only applies to those independent bands that no one has ever heard of.

I, of course, could be wrong.

So... the audio of AudioLunchBox is the same quality as PayPlay... "as little as 25 cents per song!" ALB says...

I am tired.

**heartbreak** · 06-07-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

Okay... so... The OR Audio Project for $10 sounds so amazing, I doubt it is true.

I went to AudioLunchBox... and based on their selection of known bands... I have a feeling... 40 tracks for 10 bucks a month is legitimate... but the 50 free only applies to those independent bands that no one has ever heard of.

That is a possibility. Glad you brought that up.

**Elijah** · 06-07-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellimist

Okay... so... The OR Audio Project for $10 sounds so amazing, I doubt it is true.

I went to AudioLunchBox... and based on their selection of known bands... I have a feeling... 40 tracks for 10 bucks a month is legitimate... but the 50 free only applies to those independent bands that no one has ever heard of.

I, of course, could be wrong.

So... the audio of AudioLunchBox is the same quality as PayPlay... "as little as 25 cents per song!" ALB says...

I am tired.

I'm trying this route as we speak. I'll update everyone once I have details

. However, even if it's true that you can't use the 50 free (doesn't sound like the case...but who knows..), you can sign up for the 24.95$ plan
($24.99/ month = 125 credits per month + 50 Free Credits), which easily covers the 93 tracks, you can get a few extra albums, and it's 60$+ cheaper than the 99 cents per song option. Same high quality, DRM free, and you can cancel subscription right after you download, if you want. Sounds like a good deal to me. We'll see how it goes in reality. Wish me luck! :-p

Update: It appears that I am an idiot. I read through all of the forum posts, and ran a search, AFTER I paid my 9.99$. Found out they don't have it yet. Bahaha :(. Hope they get it before 7/7/7 (Wow. That should be a good day.. lucky 7's :-p)
Seems to be a great deal so far, though.. Doesn't look like there is any restriction..

"SUBSCRIPTION SUMMARY6/7/2007 - 7/7/2007
Sign Up Credits Remaining: 50
Monthly Credits Remaining: 40
Total Credits in Your Cart: 0
Total Credits Remaining: 90"

Guess I'll update again when I can actually get the tracks, haha. (Any gauruntee they will be getting the tracks?)

**elmago** · 06-08-2007, 12:40 AM

I'm not sure this is the right place to post this but...

From the tidbits that I listened from cdbaby, I'm kind of disillusioned by the quality of the product. I was all for getting the audio version, but now I'm somewhat unsure. How does everyone else feels about the product?

**marsjams13** · 06-08-2007, 03:11 AM

Personally (and maybe I'm old fashioned), I'd rather have a physical copy. I haven't listened to much yet though, so what do you mean about the quality? Is it recorded poorly, or is the reading itself not good?

**benedict** · 06-08-2007, 06:08 AM

yeah, it is too bad there are no plans (yet) to release an official hard-copy audio version.

**Ellimist** · 06-08-2007, 06:27 AM

This is as good a place as any to talk about the quality.

The few places I looked all said the .mp3 files are "high fidelity 192 kbps"... (CBR, I assume).

This also means they are lossy, but whatever, it's spoken word and some music. I encode LAME 192 for any CD rips I do for myself.

Listening to the samples, you must remember it is embedded flash, so the audio quality is shite - not bad, but not worth listening to for too long.

Listening to the same thing, MZD's reading is just completely amazing, because it sounds so smooth and awesome. The music in the background is light and appropriate (Elfman rules). However, the same chord keeps being played in those samples throughout the reels (it's the one that starts playing when they say "allmighty sixteen and free..." in pages 1-8).

Anyway, her voice sounds weird sometimes, like there is something in her mouth... syllables are too "flat."

Oh, and there seem to be sound effects reflecting what is going on in the story sometimes.

I will give this thing a chance.

But, I may end up just getting Sam's side. I don't know.

Edit: Listen to these samples. The conversation parts with both of them. WOW.

**marsjams13** · 06-08-2007, 07:19 AM

If anyone is good with mixing, what I'd really like is a mix with sam's part in one speaker and hailey's in the other. Of course the closer to the middle it gets, the mix will change -with both part coming simultaneously out of both sides in the middle and then slowly switching sides to the end.

Now that would be cool.

**heartbreak** · 06-08-2007, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marsjams13

If anyone is good with mixing, what I'd really like is a mix with sam's part in one speaker and hailey's in the other. Of course the closer to the middle it gets, the mix will change -with both part coming simultaneously out of both sides in the middle and then slowly switching sides to the end.

Now that would be cool.

I second that.

**benedict** · 06-08-2007, 07:40 AM

and even better would be to have a mix of it in 5.1 or higher surround sound. then the readings (and music) could revolve around the room from speaker to speaker.