Field recordings : Cardio vs Omi

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Test between two different directional microphones in outdoor locations
Helped by Martin Weissberg, we have made several recordings on that day.

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We had a couple of cardioid MBHO and two omnidirectional DPA. Interesting comparison to define what fits better depending the environment

The MBHO are pre amplified by Mixy and DPA by Sound devices.

 

First test, the fireworks of July 14 at Montpellier (French national day):
The microphones are almost at the same place. 1: DPA: 1 m, 30 °. 2: MBHO: 18cm, 30 °.

Second test at a terrace:
The microphones are placed at the same location. 1: DPA: 18 cm, 30 °. 2: MBHO: 18cm, 30 °.

Third test in a natural reserve:
The microphones are not placed in the same location. 1: DPA: 18 cm, 0 °. 2 MBHO: 18cm, 30 °.

 

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Sound Drama : First story

Posted on by faunethic

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First sound drama.
I was curious to create something in that way because I never realized that kind of thing in the past. Finally, it is much more complicated than I had in mind.
Used to work to picture, I had to be careful to define the actions and sound space to be as consistent as possible in term of story telling. I recorded most of the sound that constitute this drama, particularly the foley.

No specific theme, only one target, create an oppressive atmosphere.

So here is the story:

I ran out of inspiration for the conclusion of this story.
Hoping that you like it, good listening.

Field recordings : Electromagnetic field

Posted on by faunethic

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New topic of the day, hunting magnetic fields through a new microphone, the “pickup”.
It is normally designed to be placed in the rose of an acoustic guitar. I chose this one because it doesn’t need hack or welds and it is already wired.
It’s easy to hijack this microphone to captures what we are not supposed to hear, the magnetic fields around us.

 

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It’s a perfect tool to make electric sounds. I was inspired by the work of Jean-Edouard Miclot, I advise you to listen his findings.

Beware of your speakers, there are many low frequency (50Hz)

 

Some takes processed:

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The set-up is somewhat bulky :
Mic-> DI -> preamps -> recorder

 

 

 

Not really convenient to carry outside, waiting for a real bag location, I stayed at home and at work to make my shots.

A big air conditioner:

A wireless phone:

An electric heater:

Be careful if you want to do the same.
Read this article before trying.

 

 

Hydrophone and Tibetan bowl

Posted on by faunethic

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Recording session with a new mirco, the hydrophone.
I had on that day a wide collection of bells and Tibetan bowls.

I took a trash can, put some water in it and plunged the microphone.
After a few tests nothing extraordinary, rendering under water is almost the same as in the open air.

The notes are still very clean, noiseless, no blast or parasite. It’s always good to take.

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Immersing bells in water gradually, a light natural-tune yields:

A bowl with filters and pitch, it becomes more interesting now!

To conclude, I’m slightly disappointing, I was expecting to find something more original …

Extra miscellaneous records, filled bottle underwater :

 

Short Movie : Feeling Nothing

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Feeling Nothing is a short film made by students of ESIA 3D.
Sound editing and sound effects were mostly recorded and produced with the help of Martin Weissberg. We did this project only for fun.

Good viewing:

Did you liked? Go check out their facebook page.

Music composed by : Erwann Chandon
Directed by : Davy Dumartheray, Maxime Kuppert, Alexandra Latour, Amandine Popolare et Laurent Dietrich

Trailer : From dust

Posted on by faunethic

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From Dust has just been released today on Xbox 360.
It will be available on PC in August and September on PS3.

Here is the launch trailer that ends this great adventure with the dev team:

-> The official website

 

Some critics of the press:

Shamantcm2414328Gamespot.com: These natural processes are accompanied by rich sound effects that punctuate your every action. Grinding and sucking noises give your substance-gathering efforts some weight, while an outburst of birds cawing and flapping signals that disaster is imminent. If you toggle your view in closer to the action, you can hear fire crackling; villagers singing; and the creaking, burbling flow of lava. The sights and sounds make the world of From Dust look lively, and the interplay between substances and natural laws make it feel alive.

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jeuxvideo.fr: Very elaborate, the soundtrack of From Dust fit beautifully with the game world. Smothered by the deafening roar of a volcanic eruption or tidal wave, the cries of men, delivered in a dialect unknown to become almost touching. Too bad the lovely musical themes tend to be repeated too much.

 

 

 

 

Sound Design : String and piezo

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I wanted to try this mic for a while to capture metallic resonances, it’s done!medium_shadow-712

Curious to see what kinds of sounds I could find, I spent my morning to play with this capsule. I used strings of different sizes (guitar, violin, bass) and Shadow 711, simple and cheap.
Pleasant surprises by attaching string pots, they serve as support to amplify and distort the string vibrations.

-A string stretched attached to a large pot, I added a little bit of reverb:

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Each metal support makes a different sound. The resonance frequencies change with the size, shape, alloy, …

That gives a lot of possibilities. The most interesting currently remains the good old cooking pans.  If you find other nice stands or have ideas, please let know.

-Tension string on a grater :

-String vibrating on a pan :

 

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Field recordings : Indonesia

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This is the end of my Indonesian journey after six weeks on 3 islands: Bali, Lombok and Java.

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What I will remember of this country is all this beautiful meetings, hospitable people and incredible scenery: black sand beaches, mountains, volcanoes, rice fields, …
I discovered a new culture where two religions lives together, Hinduism and Islam in a climate rather peaceful, like what, it’s possible.

It was quite an adventure, it’s a destination I highly recommend to any adventurer.
I recorded a lot and after a quick check I get a wide variety of soundscapes.
I was a little disappointed about my jungles excursions, they were not very singing at this time of the year, too wet, I had to compensate with beautiful monsoon made in Asia.
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Shortly after my arrival, started a very important festival for Hindus, Galungan. Music and ceremonies at all street corners, so great for a soundman!
Markets where they sell everything from towns, villages, music and nature, ten hours of rushes should give me occupation for some weeks.

I exported some excerpts for you to share them.IMG_1489
Be indulgent, it is edited with headphones and a bit in a hurry.

 

Markets :

Nature :

VIllages:

Music :

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Field recordings : Lao

Posted on by faunethic

Only a few hours before leaving the territory of Laos.
A month has passed and I couldn’t prolong my stay, my passport was stuck In Indian Embassy pending they want to give me a visa.

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Crossing a border is always accompanied by the feeling of not having seen enough, especially passing beside many beautiful things. I ran out of time to go to the extreme south, where the Mekong river gets lost between 4000 islands before continuing its journey to Cambodia. banniere laos 2 update

I started walking the northern mountains that are still very wild, then the center with its old colonial cities such as Luang Prabang or Vientiane to finally end in the imposing Khammouane southern valleys .

This small country surrounded by 5 borders is one of the wildest of South Asia. There are only 6.5 million inhabitants of which 33% distributed in three major cities. A small density for lots of nature, perfect for a sound recorder.

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Unfortunately, these landscapes are changing quickly, Laos is booming. They build with turn of arm, burn forests to make way for cultures and northern ethnic slowly migrate to the cities.

After this brief, a little sound journey through these excerpts:

Nature :

Villages :

Markets :

Cities:

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