Field Recording for Everyone: Creative Soundscapes with Simple Gear

Starts on: 09/01/2025 18:00 London time

Membership plan: Going Deeper | Topics: Music Production

Course overview

Session 1 - Thursday 9th January 6-9pm

Session 2 - Thursday 16th January 7-9pm

Session 3 - Thursday 23rd January 7-9pm

Many people are put off doing field recordings because it sounds like an expensive hobby. Most of us don’t have the hi-tech kit nor the budget to travel to distant lands to record rare and untouched landscapes. Award-winning sound artist Frazer Merrick specialises in more creative and attainable approaches to field recording, which still create incredible results. He explores environments closer to home, using solar panels to turn light into complex rhythmic and harmonic patterns, contact mics to extract rich sounds from simple objects, and simple in-ear mics to make cheap and discreet binaural recordings.

In this 3-part workshop (spread across 3 weeks) you will cover, how to build your own mics (optional), planning a field recording trip, creating your own sample packs, as well as exploring creative methods for composing with field recordings. You will become comfortable with the methods, equipment, and practices that professional field recordists use to achieve incredible results without the need for extremely expensive equipment. Led by a professional sound recordist and artist, you will be guided to conceive of and develop a project with the opportunity to ask questions and develop your ideas in a supportive group of fellow enthusiasts.

Participants who wish to build their own mics should purchase the following pack in time for the first session

What you'll learn

Understand fundamental techniques for capturing high-quality field recordings using affordable equipment.
Gain hands-on experience building and using DIY microphones to capture unique environmental sounds.
Develop skills in planning and conducting a field recording trip, including identifying sound-rich locations.
Create and organize custom sample packs, and apply creative techniques to compose with field recordings.

Who is this course for?

Aspiring sound artists, musicians, and audio enthusiasts interested in exploring field recording techniques.
Creators looking to incorporate authentic environmental sounds into their projects without needing expensive gear.

Course content

Session 1 - Thursday 9th January 6-9pm UK

Zoom link

Session 2 - Thursday 16th January 7-9pm UK

Zoom link

Session 3 - Thursday 23rd January 7-9pm UK

Zoom link

Requirements

A basic recording device (such as a smartphone, handheld recorder, or DIY microphone kit).
Interest in environmental sound and field recording; no prior experience required.
For those interested in the DIY microphone option, please purchase the microphone kit before the first session.

Course schedule

Meet your instructor

Frazer Merrick is an expert in field recording, circuit bending, and DIY instrument building. He creates carnivalesque experiences that transform spaces and objects while encouraging the audience to become a curious performer. From a keyboard made of bananas to playing a gig underwater, Frazer’s work is curious, interactive and playful. He has exhibited at galleries including Firstsite and Focal Point Gallery, performed at venues such as Snape Maltings and Colchester Arts Centre, and had compositions aired on Channel 4 and the BBC. Frazer is the co-founder of the award winning social enterprise, CLIP Sound and Music CIC.