ARUSHI GARG
Field Recordings To
CREATE FRESH SOUNDS
Well, it is a common truth that a musician’ s keen hearing sense and an inclination to the sounds around them make them more observant of their surroundings. Listening deeply means music can be heard and admired literally anywhere without the need for any musical instrument. Many musicians employ and recreate these sounds and use them in their creations, which often become very raw and distinct. Since the sounds produced outside the controlled environment of the studio mean embracing eccentric sounds, many artists are always on a hunt for the new. Here are some reasons why field recordings are many musicians’ secret weapon.
Embracing Mindfulness In the hectic and chaotic lives of most, being present in the moment can be the most difficult task. Each moment, we think of the future or the past but are not happy or content in the present. There are only a few practices which force an individual to embrace their current environment. Field recording comes in very handy as it is such an activity. All you need is a microphone, a recorder, headphones and, of course, a clear and calm mind filled with imagination.
Shift of Perspective Imagine taking a walk in a city. You step out, and you start feeling sweaty; the dogs are barking, construction everywhere, honking unnecessarily and suddenly your mood gets irritated, and you want to step back into the comfort of your home. On the other hand, if you shift your perspective a little bit and step out of your comfort zone: on the same street, you will notice the rhythmic sound of construction, children laughing, rustling of bags or leaves on the ground. Now, you will be surprised how background noise can be channelled to create rich detail in the sounds you create.
Distinct Melodies Once you become aware of the rich sounds, there are endless possibilities of sonic sounds. The sound of‘ ting’ when two metals cling can be turned into a percussion melody or the sound of paper scrunching could be turned into a base sound. Even birds chirping or thunder rumbling can be included and inserted into the fabric of the song. With so many software and music advancements, there are endless possibilities of what can be done with the myriad of field sounds and their integration into the song.
Raw and Authentic Sounds For many artists, one thing springs up a lot during music production, which is that sounds feel quite sterile and redundant, although this thought can be very subjective. The‘ something is missing’ syndrome comes into play for many who feel that electronically produced music might lack the human touch. In this scenario, field recordings can come in very handy as they are very authentic and raw, which serves as a perfect setting for making new sounds and sonic capabilities.
Exploring Individuality While many believe that modern songs can feel quite repetitive and forgettable since they are heavily electronically generated, using sounds that complement the musician’ s personality, headspace, or even a nostalgic element can provide more weight to the song. If the artist loved theme parks as a child, then the swoosh of the merry-go-round can add a layer of depth to their song. Through field recordings the song can have a story and be focused on the creativity of the musician.
Heightened Ambience Music Ambient music can never lose its touch and this rings true for field recordings and when these two converge, it can become very therapeutic and relaxing. Adding soft notes to the lapping of the waves or single drum beat to the clapping of hands can create a magical feeling that perhaps electronic music cannot replicate but human imagination can.
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