In the early process of developing our theme, we have decided to experiment. With Jake And Buki working with words. Kiro said there was theme of Earth. We talked about exploring the elements and due to my being situated by the Sea in Brighton currently. I set out to record some ocean sounds on my TASCAM DR-40X.
I was testing my new wind shield outside. When I realized I was about 10 minutes from the sea. I decided to record my trip. Thinking it could be used as a constant background framing for the piece of the sounds traffic and cityscape slowly fading to the sea and a more natural meditative environment. Alongside this recording I took three different approaches to recording the ocean waves. 2 with my microphone as close to the waves as possible and one more ambient recording from further up the beach. Alongside the ‘Foley’ sounds I recorded in a previous blogpost. I am hoping I have given Kiro enough to work with to produce a draft piece.
This recording I feel is most fitting with the subject matter. Kiro spoke about elements as a way to convey change. Buki suggested the title Tellurian Voices: Do you Receive. Tellurian meaning Earth. Earthly Voices. I have interpreted that as meaning a grounded voice. With this walk you get the entanglement of society morph slowly to nature. This could evoke a sense of slow settling of a mind. Or more literally Earth changing to something else.
With the Ambient recording of Ocean, there is more of a lower frequency range, it’s a little more comforting. You can hear more wind. If Kiro is going with the element theme. There is scope for this to be representative of Wind and Ocean. Below is a more detailed and harsher sounding recording of Waves. There is an abrasive quality to the water streaming off the rocks back into the ocean, I like the stereo image of some of flowing water sounds during the splashes of the waves. This could be used to create a feeling of unease potentially as opposed to previous recordings feeling a little more tranquil.
In terms of how I felt the recording went. There were moments throughout the walking piece where I had unfortunately nicked my coat and caused a disruption in the sound recording. However due to there being a lot of movement, traffic and sudden sounds in the recording I don’t think it is particularly jarring in the context. But it’s something to improve for more detailed and specific recordings I would like to do in the future. I was pretty happy with how the Ocean sounds came out. Due to the business of the beach at 6pm. I was unable to record a 10 minute segment of uninterrupted ocean sounds without people walking past or obnoxious driving on the motorway across the seafront etc… There is a rockery near by that I would like to record in the future in order to get some more dispirate water sounds. Contact Microphones could work well on large rocks around there. I also would like to try recording the Ocean with the AB Microphone pair setting to see how it effects the depth or width of the sound. We have not completely decided my role in broadcasting the piece next Thursday. I may be providing a live field recording from the sea through the Locus Sonus App. Or helping run audio out from home via Laptop. These are two formats I will explore options for in future post.
A-B Position