Sonic Field Work
Equipment
- Telinga Parabolic Dish and Condenser Microphone Kit
- H5 Kit
The parabolic dish is only unenjoyable to use because it catches everybody’s attention. The experience was anxiety-inducing, however, I am satisfied with the result, it captures a very distinct sound, especially in the low frequencies capturing very high-quality recordings. I found the results amazing in naturally reverberated space. I am very familiar with the H5 kit it has become an essential part of my practice in every project.
Field Recording Locations
Railway Bridge
My reasoning for choosing this location
I posted up under a railway bridge positioning the microphone within the centre of the pedestrian path on the right-hand side. I captured passersby in a stereo field for an immersive experience. The main reason for this location is because the architectural element has such a great effect on the sound.
Artist Inspiration
I have been inspired by Paul Purgas a London-based artist and musician working with sound, performance, and installation. I discovered him from the sound art guest lecture series. He originally trained as an architect which has become a core element within his sonic creative practice. Paul uses physical space to emanate sound for effect, especially in a performance setting curating site-specific work.
The architecture was a brick tunnel which created this natural acoustic chamber or reflective sound. The natural reverberation made for crispy, high-quality recordings, having the effect of feeling rather than hearing as the low frequencies become dominant.
Waterloo Train Station
I captured the sonic atmosphere of Waterloo train station where this densely populated space is sonically overstimulating due to human behaviour. The architecture also resonates naturally reverted frequencies within the space.
I recorded both microphones to contrast and compare the quality to develop field recording skills. One is not better than the other I am comparing effects therefore which is better suited stylistically. For focusing on a sound source the parabolic dish and overall atmosphere the H5 is brilliant.
Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle has a very busy roundabout and sonically is very overstimulating creating a fight-or-flight-induced sonic experience because of the chaotic environment.
UAL’s new building site is a great place to capture the ambience of construction. It adds a new element of chaos to an already chaotic environment.
London Underground
Sound Walks
Introducing sound walk into my field recording practice which was inspired by Peter Cussak sound artist who specialises in field recording. By reviewing his work he realised sound walks which create an immersive first-person perspective to field recording introducing the element of movement.
Soundwalk: Entering London Underground Elephant and Castle
Soundwalk: Exiting London Underground Elephant and Castle
Ambiences
London Underground
More Soundwalks
MnS Waterloo Station
Using the parabolic dish I recorded the soundscape of MnS in Waterloo. A busy supermarket with an overstimulating amount of noise.
Elephant and Castle
Sonic Field Work Conclusion
On reflection, field recordings with Parabolic Dish stylistically brought a sense of focus to the sound source and changing the focus was a skill I was developing with practice. Being in control of the focus benefits national development as the director to steer the direction in how I see or should I say hear fit. I felt less anxious the more I forced myself into the uncomfortable situation of recording in public with this microphone. In fact, it generated rememberable interactions making the experience fun. Once I found my rhythm and became less nervous by field recording, took flight, which comes across with brilliant results.
Critical Thinking
The initial idea was to create a soundscape, a sequel to ‘Unsleepable Sleep’. A previous project about the endless noise of London one can get lost in, partially people living on the streets of London. The problem of homelessness in London was a huge shock contributing to the choice of my project. In my practice, I like to tackle conflicting events when I encounter them. Reflecting back on all my previous creative sound projects this concluded my idea.
Developing Concepts & Ideas
‘Soundscape of Consciousness Connectivity’. This idea was inspired by the powerful connection of the sonic thoughts in my head connecting me to my mum where space isn’t measured by distance. Connection is possible by mind. However, this concept has not been explored within sound arts therefore it will be difficult to evidence and contextualise theorisation.
The urban chaotic environment is the opposite of a naturally shaped sonic environment. An urban environment, like London human behaviour, contaminates the space in an overwhelming manner, polluting the sonic frequency scale to a maximum whether the noise of the city can become frightening almost like an overwhelming sensory overload experience in a rainforest. My plan is to demonstrate this by composing, atmospheric music, creating a state of trans, shifting between consciousness and subconsciousness, as well as using, editing techniques, creating moments of anxiety throughout the chaotic sonic environment of London.
I have been reading Sonic Warfare, a book from 2012 by Steve Goodman to contextualise my theorisation that sound is a vicious antagonist against people’s sensory systems, sonic warfare is a contemporary issue is sound art that I wish to explore in my practice.
“Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect, and the Ecology of Fear explores the rippling shockwaves of these kinds of deployments of sound and their impacts on the way populations feel—not just their individualized, subjective, personal emotions, but more their collective moods or affects. Specifically, a concern will be shown for environments, or ecologies, in which sound contributes to an immersive atmosphere or ambience of fear and dread—where sound helps produce a bad vibe.” (Goodman, S. 2012. p. ivi)
Sonic Warfare
Learning Outcomes
I have also revisited the learning outcomes solidifying my knowledge to achieve the correct outcomes suiting the marking criteria.
Practical Progress
DAW: Logic
Beginning experimentation has initiated some great ideas I can further develop and expand using my own self-criticism. For example, including ‘The Needle Drop’ as a way to combine culture and story, conveying emotional narrative development, however, unsatisfied with its entry, this idea needs reevaluating far I am unsatisfied with its ‘sonic affect’. The ‘sonic affect’ or ‘affective tone’ is described by Steve Goodman,
“This dimension of an encounter will be referred to as its affective tone, a term that has an obvious, but rarely explored, affinity to thinking through the way in which sound can modulate mood.” (Goodman, S. 2012. p. ivi)
Sonic Warfare
Sampling a pre-existing song combines my new sonic knowledge of the needle drop from Element 1 and my Element 2 creative sound piece is a place to demonstrate my new knowledge.
Breakdown
Introduction
Using Logics synthesizers, sculpture and alchemy I composed a wonderful introduction that sounds like a conscious imagination of the cosmos. However, the peer feedback I received was the beginning should be field recordings of London setting the scene first and I agree with this criticism. Also, the music composition builds tension because the sound of the train comes in after the tension is lost. After a critical analysis, I am going to use the sound of the train as a sound to overpower its environment.
Train Scene: The Needle Drop
Transitioning after the introduction the lister is thrown into reality. My reasoning for introducing the listener on the train is a personal meaning which symbolises how I arrived in London after travelling between my rural family home to the urban life of London. I am always introduced to London by train, therefore, the train sound is a metaphorical introduction to my soundscape as London is to my life.
Waterloo Train Station
I have experimented with the field recording of Waterloo to create a psychedelic state of mind. I would love to further develop the idea and concept of creating a psychedelic style of soundscape. A psychedelic style creates moments of anxiety perfect for the outcome I wish to achieve.
Storyboard
Combining theory and practice I have created a storyboard to progress which developing a narrative for my soundscape. I really enjoy creating narratives as a part of my practice as eventually, I want to be a part of the filmmaking process and team.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my ability and skill set in field recording has increased tremendously through practice and has been a really enjoyable part of the production process of this creative sound piece. Analysing my field recordings has enhanced my training and my ear for future field recordings and future sound production projects. My understanding of microphones especially parabolic microphones which was completely new to me has been an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and grow. Because of this, it has been a very important element to its success of my project so far.
Sonic warfare has been a very influential import source towards the theorisation around my work, composing a demonstration of how the chaotic urban environment of London traject feelings of anxiety within its overwhelming chaotic sonic environment.