Author: Aparna Sivaramakrishnan

Initially the idea was to record a pond/ lake or a live source such as a shallow river where in a quitter place compared to an extremely busy Themes. As a part of my research I found two location apt for the recording

• River Colne, Ricksmansworth, Hertfordshire

It is comparatively a shallow river and there are bridges from where I can record. The place has a bit of hike so its quitter and there are chances of river ecosystem being livelier. 

• Divers Cove, Godstone, Surrey

This is a lake generally used for swimming but and it would be a good mix of human interaction with the nature if I am able to get good recordings.

There are dock like structures which are perfect to get setup ready without worrying about interface being wet.Their website: https://www.diverscove.co.uk

The idea was abandoned as the essay developed and took a turn in the direction of dividing the discussion based on different categories of contribution towards climate change and global warming. I tried accessing PALAOA, the Perennial Acoustic Observatory in the Antarctic Ocean, since it is an open access broadcasting station. It was found that it was shut down few years ago. But there are other stations all around the world who transmits live hydrophone recording of their farms and ponds. the one I used is Locustream Sound map and I was able to find a wave farm station:

Locustream Soundmap (no date). Available at: https://locusonus.org/soundmap/ (Accessed: 6 May 2024).

_{Wavefarm recording}

Tried recording the sound of people swimming and moving my feet underwater in swimming motion, it was extremely chaotic to be used in this piece. I kept losing balance while trying to mix it together. It was as annoying as working with unwanted wind recordings. 

While recording it was noticed that the recording made using sound device interface along with an Aquarian Hydrophone H2A was much easier to edit than when I tried it with a Zoom H5 interface. There were no hissing and better clarity.

_{Pool recording}

Sound for recording the crackling of ice was done using hydrophone in a glass with large size ice with and water. I tried to record it using a SM57 pointed to the ice but it didn’t have the sonic movement

It is a new practive I have been learning and was able to include as a part of my work. Though I have done it before, I have never set it up therefore it was a bit confusing to make the theory I am familiar with into a practical practice. Though the process is simple to connect output back into input as feedback. This csn be done in multiple ways and the most interesting is when it is connected to Aux.  the process is largely based on self exploration since every individual’s preference varies. This has helped me in other unit as well, later on.

For this project the recording was done while I was exploring how to use the method of noinput under controlled level of sound. I tried to make it harmonious but wasn’t very successful. As a substitute I used synth for a touch of melodious. This was included after 

Sample of a track used

Waves and creaking was recorded around here

The second layer of sound I have used are mostly recordings from Lisbon and Luxembourg.  It is the layering of sound which is a mix of water bodies which includes, sea shore, dock, echo of people speaking in different structures, birds sound near a water body, dams  etc.

The recording was tricky because left side of my headphones was not working and it was windy. There were times when I was not able to listen to what I was recording. 

This these recording are mostly  for fillers and to manage the tempo of the structure.

The lecture given by Berk Yagli was inspiring and a reason to include noinput into my work. Though most of the work shown by him were related to making use of noise made using objects and to transform them into something unrecognisable.

How will Varispeed warp  look on recording of water flowing?

Will it be annoying or as soothing as the original ? Is it possible to mix both of them together