Transparent Sleep is an extremely smooth, slow and refined musical performance with no sudden sounds, volume changes or piercing frequencies. To achieve this I restricted myself to playing the crystal singing bowls with a silicon mallet (which gives the bowls a mellow tone) and played only slow, sustained notes.

I used a single, large Tibetan singing bowl to provide a deep, sleepy foundation for the crystal singing bowls. You’ll hear this hypnotic sound every 30 seconds throughout the recording.

I created this deep sound by gently striking the singing bowl with a large, soft mallet. This results in a cushioned, velvety tone in which only the fundamental frequency and the first overtone can be heard. I further sculpted this sound in post-production by softening the “attack” portion of the note (the initial fraction of a second when the mallet strikes the bowl). Any trace of “clunk” is removed. This is a subtle change, but it makes an important difference. The soft, rounded onset of the note makes this calm sound even calmer.

On the surface, Transparent Sleep is a simple composition made with a limited number of simple sounds. However, there are many layers of movement taking place within the sound itself, and these can have a very hypnotic effect…

For example, you will notice that each bowl pulses gently – its volume rising and falling in a slow rhythm. If you are listening with headphones, you may also notice that some of the bowls oscillate slowly from left to right, right to left.

When multiple bowls are sounded together, they give rise to patterns of movement that are structured and rhythmic, but also organic and ever changing. If you listen in an attentive way, with your eyes closed, you may find your focus wandering from tone to tone, latching on to the rhythm of one sound, then drifting without effort to another.

To me, this is what makes crystal singing bowls special. The slow, modulating tones they produce can be utterly entrancing. The stimulation they provide is very gentle, yet at the same time it can be very powerful. Even the most stubborn insomniacs may find themselves wondering, “What happened???” when they wake up after falling into a sleep they didn’t see coming.

This music will serve you well if you are creating media for stress relief, natural healing, sleep induction and hypnosis. It may be especially appealing to people who aren’t drawn to the usual new-age music staples like pianos, flutes, and bells – and who are open to trying something new. A certain percentage of your audience will have never heard music like this before and may find it surprisingly captivating and effective.

Production notes

Within this music you will hear some repeating themes, but the overall composition is an un-looped hour-long performance.

I have also created some addition tracks and sounds to add a little extra magic to this music of Transparent Sleep. Sorry – let me correct that statement – these additional tracks will add a LOT of extra magic to this music!

These tracks will allow you to customise the music so that it wraps around your narration, making it feel more like the music was composed just for you and your recording.

Comments on The Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra

This is a recording of Transparent Sleep without the crystal singing bowls. It’s a single deep Tibetan singing bowl playing solo every 30 seconds. By itself, this sound is incredibly relaxing, and you could certainly use it as the only background sound in a meditation recording if you wish. Whenever a truly minimalistic, warm, deep tone is all you need, the Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra is just delicious.

This recording was also designed to work in conjunction with the main music of Transparent Sleep, as described here…

Mixing tip:

When you start a new recording project, import both “Transparent Sleep” and “Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra” onto separate tracks. Make sure they are perfectly aligned so that they start together. Now reduce the volume on the Singing Bowl Mantra track to zero.

What you can now do is vary the volume balance between these two tracks at any time that suits you. For example, as you approach the deepest phase of your meditation you can slowly fade out Transparent Sleep while fading in the Singing Bowl Mantra. In this way, you create an unbroken musical journey that changes when you need it to. The balance is in your hands.

Comments on Starlight Shimmer

I created Starlight Shimmer with a specific use in mind – as an auditory signal to your listeners that it’s time to begin waking up.

This light, lustrous music has no obvious melody of its own. It’s not trying to steal the show. It’s a supporting act that allows you to customise your recording by shifting the mood at the right time.

The light, intermingling tones of Starlight Shimmer are harmonised beautifully with Transparent Sleep and the Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra. Simply layer it with Transparent Sleep as your recording nears its end (or any other time that suits you).

Mixing Tip 1:

I recommend that you significantly lower the volume of Starlight Shimmer. It should be very quiet indeed. Starlight Shimmer has a very bright tone that will be audible even at very low volume levels. Keep it subtle, keep it gentle…like the light of the stars.

Mixing Tip 2: Try this progression of sounds in your next recording

Step 1: Start with Transparent Sleep as your primary background music while you introduce yourself and begin the meditation journey.

Step 2: During the deepest part of the journey, slowly transition to the Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra (fading it in as you fade out Transparent Sleep).

Step 3: When it’s time to bring your listener back from a deep state of relaxation or sleep, continue the Singing Bowl Mantra while introducing Starlight Shimmer at the same time. Even at a very quiet volume, Starlight Shimmer provides a distinct tonal contrast that will help to slowly lift your listeners into a more wakeful state.

If you have allowed a period of “no talking” during the deepest part of the journey, I recommend that you introduce Starlight Shimmer a minute or so before you start talking again. If your listener has fallen asleep, then this approach removes the surprise of having someone breaking the silence with talking. It’s a more gentle way to handle the awakening process.

Comments on Reverence

I created this music for those who want to add a brief moment of emotional depth and a devotional atmosphere to their recording.

Just like Starlight Shimmer, this track can be combined with the music of Transparent Sleep and the Transparent Sleep Singing Bowl Mantra. They all blend together beautifully. You can drop Reverence into your recording project just about anywhere and it will sound amazing!

Of course, you can also use this music on its own in any other context… any time you need music that provides a strongly uplifting, sacred ambience.

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