Big Sounds on a Budget

I've written about recording locally before here. I'm certain there are so many things that are right under our noses, we're just too busy planning big trips to the other side of the world and wishing for a huge budget to enable us to get the 'perfect' (or more importantly, sellable) sounds.

I made a promise to myself some months back, that I'd really try and use any free time for local field trips, and to build a great catalogue of whatever I could find within a few miles' radius. And, last weekend- I found a small airport! Honestly, I hadn't even consider there might be one so close, or that the people would be so friendly, which they were.

 

I ended up getting some perfectly clean recordings, that I'll for sure be able to use in the future. And also made some contacts to hitch rides in future practice flights- always useful! I never imagined I'd be able to get access to inside helicopters just down the road...

Here's a sample of the recordings:

 

And here they are as part of a war scene:

 

Happy weekend everyone! Here's a few cool links to check out...

 

It's my birthday, and I'll make like a cowboy if I want to

I'm back in Spain again, on the hunt for more classic Spanish sounds. It's also my birthday! I normally spend it with family, getting gifts and breakfast in bed and general congratulations- but not today. Today I awoke alone in a sleepy Spanish village, spent the morning recording atmospheres in nearby rocky terrain, and the afternoon with some cowboy-types and a load of bulls. I've massively enjoyed it! And obviously had beans for lunch to fit in with the theme. 

Hope you've all had a great start to the week. Here's a few pics from my day...

Thanks to Mr. Teodoro Adell and his son Jose Antonio for their hospitality

Spain

I just got back from a recording trip to Spain. It was great to be home (though that's a confusing word these days...)- Spain has so much to offer in terms of sound. From blaring, emotion-brewing traditional trumpets, to street sellers, to the hubbub of it's bars and cafes- which I think sound like nowhere else in the world. There is something about a particularly "Spanish" atmosphere that draws you in and makes you want to sit with friends for hours and drink wine. 

I didn't have time to do that myself, but I did get to record lots of other people doing it- almost as good! I also hit up some of the big sounds you'd expect from a Spanish trip; bull fights, southern music, and even a bit of controversial Gibraltar. (She was interesting to say the least!)

Here's a few photos from my trip. With sound to follow once I've unpacked my bags...

Toro!

Las Ventas, Madrid

Strait of Gibraltar

Hope it's been a good week for everyone. This morning I'm listening to crisp, newly brown, Irish leaves breezing over my garden. The quiet of rural Ireland is such a contrast to hectic Madrid. I love them both.

Crispy

Here's some web stuff to check out...

Farewell Don King

We’re busy recording everything we can lay our ears on this week, over in Spain. It’s pretty scorchio! Hope everyone’s had a great week and has something exciting planned for the weekend. I can’t wait to write about everything I’ve heard here when I get home to NI. Spain, I’ve missed you!

Photo credit to my friend Chabeli

In other news, have you seen the new Super-Softie Windshields from Rycote? I’m planning on trying them out as soon as I can lay my hands on some. I think it’s going to be the end of microphone aesthetics as we know it. The new stuff looks much slicker, but it’d be sad to say goodbye to the fluffy exteriors synonymous with sound for decades now…

My wife thinks most of them look like boxing promoter Don King

But it’s about time for an update. Will try and do a product review on them soon. Has anyone else started using them yet? What do you think?

Super Slick Rick

Super Slick Rick

Hope it’s a great weekend for everyone. Here’s some cool stuff to hit up…