File storage and data management can be a source of headaches even in the safe space of a studio. Add a few elements to the mix (humidity, head, being on the road, lack of access to electricity, insects, monkeys etc.) and it becomes a bit of a nightmare. Here are some of the most important aspects to consider.
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Field recording in the Amazon rainforest
Best microphones for recording nature and wildlife sounds
What microphones should I get for nature and wildlife sound recording? I’ll try to offer a comprehensive and definitive answer even though I’m not a big fan of definitive statements.
Read MoreStrange unidentified sounds
Unexplained or unidentified calls in my sound recordings - weird birds calling, strange mammals in the undergrowth, unexplained species - are a beautiful and fascinating side product of my approach to field recording.
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What does a tree hear?
I've taped my microphones to the sides of a tree, slightly closer to each other on one side of the trunk. They're about 20cm apart, roughly the distance between human ears.
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The studio side of field recording
How I edit and master my field recordings
The studio side of field recording
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2020 sound recording expedition to Kenya
I keep looking over my shoulder as I’m setting up my rig in a dead Acacia tree. The last thing I want to see now is a lion, a buffalo or a hippo. Technically I’m not allowed to exit the vehicle in Tsavo National Park, and for good reason. The density of big wildlife here is impressive.
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My fascination with soundscape recording
One of my favourite soundscapes to listen to and record is that of rainforest hills. Rainforest because, well, it's a rainforest! Incredibly biodiverse, dense, lush and full of life. You don't really see a lot but you can hear an amazing variety of sounds. Hills because, unlike a flat, lowland rainforest, the sound is allowed to travel much further (even though not unimpeded).
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2020 sound recording expedition to Namibia
… as I approach the tree, I hear an aggressive hiss that instantly transports me back to the present moment. A Horned adder is viciously squirming at the base of the Camel thorn tree. How did I get here? Read on to find out.
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