Recording wildlife sounds at DVinfo.net

Ruth Happel · April 13th, 2012, 04:38 PM

Since sound is an important part of filmmaking, I thought readers of this forum might be interested in a book written by my colleague Bernie Krause. It describes our field recording adventures around the globe in the 1980s and 1990s, and theories we developed on the development of collective vocal behavior and sound niches. The book will be featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review this weekend. Although not specifically focused on the use of wildlife sound in film, it makes a plea for the recording and preservation of wildlife and their amazing vocalizations.

James Kuhn · April 14th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Ruth...thank you! What's the name of the book?

Regards,

J.

Ruth Happel · April 14th, 2012, 09:02 PM

James,

The name of the book is The Great Animal Orchestra. It is a synthesis of music and ecology, and has some interesting insights on wildlife recording. I hope you enjoy it!

best wishes,

Ruth

Tony Koretz · April 18th, 2012, 04:34 PM

Obviously it's not going to cover anywhere near the detail of a well written book, but I recently wrote a tutorial on the subject of recording birds, wildlife and nature sounds. It gives a bit of an overview on some techniques, microphone choices and the like. I will post a link to it here in case anyone is interested in reading it:
Recording Wildlife And Nature Sounds | Rocksure Soundz

John Willett · April 19th, 2012, 02:30 AM

The website of the WSRS - Wildlife Sound Recording Society is always a great resource.

It's also well worth being a member and membership is extremely inexpensive at only £29 for UK and EU and £39 for anywhere else.

.

Graham Bernard · April 20th, 2012, 01:47 AM

Thanks John. I watched Alan Burbidge's UT video. Totally charming and inspiring. I'm almost pushed to join up.

I liked the way he explained what it means for him. I learnt heaps from his quite disarming attitude to his passion.

Again, thanks John.

Grazie

Ruth Happel · April 23rd, 2012, 01:45 PM

Tony, thanks, I enjoyed your link, and site. You have a lot of good resources there.

I also enjoyed Alan Burbridge's video, with lot of good information and insights.

Ruth

Tony Koretz · April 23rd, 2012, 04:48 PM

Thanks Ruth. We are definitely aiming to try and have a good base of resources of music, sound effects and tutorials on the site. It's always nice to get good feedback on this stuff. Recording wildlife and nature sounds is fun, but can be challenging at times.

Ruth Happel · April 27th, 2012, 05:44 AM

Tony, you have some amazing sounds in your part of the world. One of these years I need to get there :)

In the meantime, thanks for the vicarious feel of being there, especially with your NZ ambience recordings.

Tony Koretz · April 30th, 2012, 05:34 AM

I have heard New Zealand described as a postage stamp version of the world. Certainly lots of natural beauty here, and well worth a look if you do get a chance to visit. Sometimes when things don't seem to be going so well in my week.........if I go for a walk on the beach or look at some mountains of green fields round about I think about how lucky I am to live in a slice of paradise!

April 13th, 2012, 04:38 PM	#1
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Recording wildlife sounds Since sound is an important part of filmmaking, I thought readers of this forum might be interested in a book written by my colleague Bernie Krause. It describes our field recording adventures around the globe in the 1980s and 1990s, and theories we developed on the development of collective vocal behavior and sound niches. The book will be featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review this weekend. Although not specifically focused on the use of wildlife sound in film, it makes a plea for the recording and preservation of wildlife and their amazing vocalizations. __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

April 14th, 2012, 10:05 AM	#2
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Ruth...thank you! What's the name of the book? Regards, J.

April 14th, 2012, 09:02 PM	#3
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Re: Recording wildlife sounds James, The name of the book is The Great Animal Orchestra. It is a synthesis of music and ecology, and has some interesting insights on wildlife recording. I hope you enjoy it! best wishes, Ruth __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

April 18th, 2012, 04:34 PM	#4
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Obviously it's not going to cover anywhere near the detail of a well written book, but I recently wrote a tutorial on the subject of recording birds, wildlife and nature sounds. It gives a bit of an overview on some techniques, microphone choices and the like. I will post a link to it here in case anyone is interested in reading it: Recording Wildlife And Nature Sounds \| Rocksure Soundz

April 19th, 2012, 02:30 AM	#5
John Willett Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 976	Re: Recording wildlife sounds The website of the WSRS - Wildlife Sound Recording Society is always a great resource. It's also well worth being a member and membership is extremely inexpensive at only £29 for UK and EU and £39 for anywhere else. . __________________ John Willett - Sound-Link ProAudio and Circle Sound Services President: Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons

April 20th, 2012, 01:47 AM	#6
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Thanks John. I watched Alan Burbidge's UT video. Totally charming and inspiring. I'm almost pushed to join up. I liked the way he explained what it means for him. I learnt heaps from his quite disarming attitude to his passion. Again, thanks John. Grazie

April 23rd, 2012, 01:45 PM	#7
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Tony, thanks, I enjoyed your link, and site. You have a lot of good resources there. I also enjoyed Alan Burbridge's video, with lot of good information and insights. Ruth __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

April 23rd, 2012, 04:48 PM	#8
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Thanks Ruth. We are definitely aiming to try and have a good base of resources of music, sound effects and tutorials on the site. It's always nice to get good feedback on this stuff. Recording wildlife and nature sounds is fun, but can be challenging at times.

April 27th, 2012, 05:44 AM	#9
Ruth Happel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Black Mountain, NC Posts: 488	Re: Recording wildlife sounds Tony, you have some amazing sounds in your part of the world. One of these years I need to get there :) In the meantime, thanks for the vicarious feel of being there, especially with your NZ ambience recordings. __________________ http://rockfowl.com/

April 30th, 2012, 05:34 AM	#10
Tony Koretz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Waikanae Beach, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand Posts: 44	Re: Recording wildlife sounds I have heard New Zealand described as a postage stamp version of the world. Certainly lots of natural beauty here, and well worth a look if you do get a chance to visit. Sometimes when things don't seem to be going so well in my week.........if I go for a walk on the beach or look at some mountains of green fields round about I think about how lucky I am to live in a slice of paradise!