Hello everyone! I am back from my long recording journey out West and now I’m ready to start blogging again. In the months to come, I’ll be sharing LOTS of immersive soundscapes, not only those gathered during my trip, but also recordings from earlier in my career plus brand new ones captured in weeks after my return.
The first soundscape I want to share, Light Rain and Blue Jays was recorded in early September of this year in Shindagin Hollow, one of my favorite locations, not far from my hometown of Ithaca, New York:
Light rain with blue jays and occasional spring peepers. Recorded around 10am on 5 September 2017 in Shindagin Hollow near Brooktondale, New York. © Lang Elliott. Please listen using headphones or earbuds.
This remarkably immersive binaural 3D field recording is best appreciated by listening over headphones. The raindrops provide a wide, relaxing soundstage against which blue jays sound off with a variety of nasal sounds and jay-calls. Spring peepers occasionally give brief series’ of bird-like peeps … their “autumn piping” from trees and shrubs, often occurring quite far from their breeding pools and ponds.
In my appraisal, this lovely recording cradles one’s spirit and promotes a sense of calm and freshness … such a gentle soundscape that will instantly transport you into the wild (especially if you listen using headphones or earbuds).
When I make a recording such as this, I remember exactly why I love nature recording. The outdoor experience (and later listening as well) helps settle my mind and ease stressful thoughts. How can I remain negative when drenched in such a pleasing, immersive soundscape?
If at all possible, listen over headphones in a quiet place. And let me know how this recording effects you. What is its psychological impact? Could you listen to it for many minutes at a time? Do you feel as if you’re actually there, out in nature? Feedback will be much appreciated in my quest to determine exactly what makes a soundscape truly healing in its effect!
p.s. I apologize for falling quiet about halfway through my journey, but I got so busy with field work and travel (I drove a whopping 30,000 miles over 5.5 months) that I simply could not devote large amounts of time to podcasting and blog posting. So I decided to wait until my adventure was complete, and then begin sharing results on the internet. And now I plan to roar ahead with lots of posting … so I advise cleaning out your inbox to make room for all my forthcoming newsletters!
Friends … if you find that my blog has a positive impact on your life, please help support my effort by making a modest donation.
What a lovely way to greet the morning, in the dry southwest! Thank you for the gift of rain and birdsong!
Listening on headphones (Sennheiser PXC 450), and it sounds great (especially after our driest September in NW Arkansas on record). Now if I could only loop it and listen to it all day long.
Hey there Steven! Well, I’m pursuing that app idea, which will have looping versions. Hope to have it out by Spring!
Just the type of relaxation everyone needs…thanks so much! ♥
aaaahhhhh..so needed in a week of stressful news.
…and more to come shortly!
Delightful. I don’t have ear buds, but it was still marvelous. However, if your recordings can be made even more enjoyable with ear buds I will buy a pair. Thanks for the wonderful “work” that you do.
Marilee: Decent headphones will work even better than earbuds.
Thanks, Lang. I will go that route. And as others have said, “Welcome back.” I had been wondering when you were going to return. The world needs more of your recordings.
Lang welcome.thanks
Hello Senen. I hope all is well with you!
Lang, The Soundscape will bless all who listen. Thank you for sharing God’s Creations with Us. So healing.
you’re welcome Sunday!
Great recording Lang. Nice to hear this soundscape in binaural (yes, I listened on headphones) 🙂
What does your binaural rig consist of?
Colin
Go here for a description: https://musicofnature.com/binaural-recording/
Thanks for this information!
How ’bout earbuds?
Yes, earbuds will give you the binaural effect, although they generally don’t sound as good as headphones.
Rain sounds wonderful after our two weeks so far with no rain in Bradford Co, PA.
I wonder if anyone in this group is actually listening over headphones. I fear not, especially if my followers are mostly baby boomers.
Lang, this boomer just put on his headphones after a quick listen just using my cell phone speakers. The difference is incredible! I was immediately taken to a comfortable rainy day reading in my tent during a camping trip. I don’t know why that setting was my first reaction but it is a serene one just the same! Thank you!
And thank you Paul for providing feedback about your experience using headphones.
Yes, indeed, Trudy….in Sullivan County, PA as well! Join the discussion
Wow, its been awhile Lang. missed hearing from you. Blues, just love them. love their bossiness.
I have missed you too, wondered if somehow I unsubscribed by mistake,so glad you are back,thank you.
I unsubscribed to myself for a period there. But now I’m fully engaged again and looking forward to lots more posting, with a emphasis on featuring easy-listening soundscapes that I think have therapeutic value.
Welcome back, you’ve been missed.
Jim: I’m very glad to be back. I got so busy with field work that I just went quiet on the internet. But my trip was a smashing success and I look forward to lots of sharing as autumn and winter unfold.
Amazing recording as usual, thanks for this 🙂
You’re welcome Thibault!