In 2009, my field recording journey began in Southern India, where ambient sounds mixed with Carnatic music lessons inspired me to explore deeper into capturing soundscapes. With Catarina, we ventured into remote, naturally quiet areas guided by light pollution maps to record the untouched sounds of nature.
Summary: My field recording journey began in Southern India, where ambient sounds mixed with Carnatic music lessons inspired me to explore deeper into capturing soundscapes. With Catarina, we ventured into remote, naturally quiet areas guided by light pollution maps to record the untouched sounds of nature. An unforgettable journey into the jungles of São Tomé and Príncipe with a mix of awe, challenge, and the raw magic of the environment.
It all started for me in Southern India in 2009. While studying Carnatic music, I recorded not only my lessons but also the ambient sounds of my surroundings. Upon returning home from this month-long immersion, I revisited these recordings. As I listened, I was instantly transported back to India. It was then that it hit me how powerful these audio postcards were.
Every sound matters—reaching deep for nature’s whisper.
I got the bug for field recording with this experience and started to record more and more. I also began to explore more advanced techniques, transitioning to binaural and ambisonic recordings. These methods offered an even more immersive quality, making people feel as if they were there in the recorded environment while playing the audio clips.
Capturing the whispers of Madeira’s ancient Laurisilva forest, veiled in mist.
Later, when Catarina joined me, we started to look at the light pollution maps, seeking out the darkest areas as they are usually less populated and more nature dense. This strategy, combined with traditional maps, guided us to interesting places to record.
While you can't control the weather during your visit, you can anticipate it by studying the geography, consulting locals, or researching the area's biodiversity. It's crucial to be as prepared as possible to seize recording opportunities in any weather and protect your equipment under all conditions.
Yet the key for a successful recording is to be still and just listen, absorbing the sounds and attempting to blend into the environment.
In the heart of the jungle, the best-laid plans often meet the mud.
What’s the impact of the environment, the soundscape? And how does it feel there? You capture a lot of moments instinctively, and sometimes you just feel like, “How am I so lucky to get to hear this?”
During our first recording expedition in the dense jungles of Santo Principle, the experience was nothing short of transformative. As dusk settled, the jungle came alive in sounds that was both exhilarating and overwhelming. I found myself alone as Catarina stayed back at the car, agreeing I would return by a designated time.
Echoes of an ancient world: A Jurassic panorama in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The jungle’s twilight brought profound changes to the soundscape. Huge bats flitted above while monkeys shuffled in the trees, sometimes sending coconuts crashing to the ground. Alone in the dark, my senses sharpened, my imagination ignited by the cloak of nightfall. It was an eerie yet thrilling feeling, being so acutely aware of every sound and movement around me.
As the night deepened, I had to make my way back, navigating through the now unfamiliar terrain, acutely aware of the need to protect the precious recording equipment from potential hazards like wandering hunters. It took me longer than expected to return to the car where Catarina awaited, the journey back as intense as the recording session itself.
Catching the subtle sounds of bubbles by the lava rocks as the waves roll in.
This session in Santo Principle was not just about capturing sounds; it was a profound journey into the heart of the jungle, testing our limits and deepening our connection to the natural world.
