What Is It? And How Can You Make Your Own Soundscape
Today’s world is one filled with noise, from the sound of cars whizzing by on busy streets to the bustle of a city center, and the ringing of cell phones. These noises are so commonplace that many people do not even hear them anymore. And yet, these noises have a negative impact on our lives. They prevent us from hearing more subtle sounds, like the chirping of birds or the trickling of water in a nearby stream. We are exposed to a constant barrage of noise from traffic, construction sites, factories, airports, subways and other urban centers—all amplified and intensified by concrete walls and metal structures that trap sound waves with no way out. Our ears have adapted to this new normal but it has its downsides: Hearing loss and speech problems are becoming common among people living in cities.
What Is a Soundscape?
A soundscape is a recording of all the sounds in a given landscape or environment. You can use the concept to understand the acoustic environment in a particular place, whether natural or urban. You can then use that knowledge to create appropriate compositions and performances, or make informed decisions when recording in specific places. Note that a soundscape is different from a soundscape composition, which is created from recordings of specific sound sources in a particular place. A soundscape composition is essentially an audio collage of the various sounds in a place, for example, birds, waterfalls, wind, etc. “In Soundscape composition one or more natural sound sources are electronically amplified and reproduced so that they are perceived as equivalent with the original sound source.”
Why Is It Important?
The sounds of the world around us have shaped the human experience since the beginning of time. Early man heard the sounds of animals, weather, and the natural world, and used them as survival tools. The sounds of nature were also used for celebratory and religious ceremonies, even before the concept of music came into being. It’s likely that these sounds were the first to be recorded with the invention of primitive recording devices. Music itself has evolved from these natural sounds. It is likely that many of the scales used today were originally inspired by the sounds of nature. And many instruments were drawn from natural sounds as well. The bagpipes, for example, were invented from the sound of a mountain goat; the shakuhachi was inspired by the sound of bamboo in the wind; the accordion was drawn from the sound of the human voice.
How to Record Your Own Soundscape
First, choose a location where you would like to create a soundscape. You can record in a park, a secluded forest or even your backyard. You can also record in an urban environment, like a busy street corner. Just make sure to record in an area where you will not be disturbing anyone or interrupting work. Before you begin recording, it might be a good idea to sketch out a map of the area, and mark down the places you would like to record. This will help you to stay organized, and give you a better idea of the different sounds you will be capturing. Now that you’re ready to record, here are a few tips to keep in mind: - Choose your location wisely. A small, quiet park may be a better place to record than a large, busy city. - Organize your equipment. Bring along a bag that will hold all your recording equipment. Try to keep your equipment as lightweight as possible, to make it easier to carry. - Keep track of your time. Time can slip away from you when you are recording, so make sure to keep track of the time and your remaining battery life. - Don’t forget to take breaks. Humans weren’t meant to record for hours on end. Make sure to stop and give your ears, eyes, and back a break every once in a while. - Review your work. Listening back to your recordings will help you to identify problem areas, and make necessary adjustments.
What You’ll Need to Record Your Own Soundscape
- A good pair of headphones - In addition to keeping sound out, headphones allow you to concentrate on the sounds you are trying to record, without the distraction of other noises. - A portable recording device - This can be anything from a handheld digital recorder to an old-fashioned reel-to-reel. - A portable microphone - If you are in a very quiet space, you may be able to get away with just recording the “sound of silence,” but more often than not, you’ll want to be able to record the sounds around you. - Extra batteries - You don’t want to run out of power in the middle of an important recording session! - A map of the area - Marking down the different types of sounds you are trying to record will help you keep your bearings and stay focused. - A bag to carry your equipment - Depending on the amount of equipment you are trying to bring, you can go as simple or as elaborate as you’d like.
How to Make Sense of the Sounds You Recorded
After you have recorded your soundscape, the next step is to take the time to actually listen to the sounds you have captured. You can do this while walking, lying in bed, or while doing some other quiet activity that will allow you to focus on the sounds you are hearing. Here are a few tips for listening more carefully to what you are hearing: - Be mindful - Try to stay focused on the sounds you are hearing and don’t let your mind wander to other thoughts. - Focus on specific sounds - Instead of listening to everything at once. Pick one sound, and focus all of your attention on that sound. Really pay attention to it. - Keep a record of the sounds you are hearing - Keep track of the sounds you’ve recorded, and how long they last. This will help you to create a more detailed soundscape.
Conclusion
Soundscapes play a large part in our everyday lives. They can have a soothing effect on the soul, or they can be used to create a certain mood in a certain setting. They are also used in a variety of other ways, including as a creative tool in music and other artistic fields, as well as a resource for learning about the environment we inhabit. If you want to get a better sense of the sounds around you, try recording a soundscape. It’s a great way to bring you back in tune with your environment, and a mode of artistic expression that has been practiced since the beginning of time.
