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Royalty Free Sound Effects & Sound Libraries
Hey hey! Welcome to the wonderful world of field recording! We’re Libby and Marcel and we spend our days and night chasing after sounds like a couple of audio-obsessed mad scientists. We’re so stoked you found your way to our corner of the internet and we’re ready to give you the inside scoop on how to start your own field recording adventure. Trust us, it’s gonna be a fun and rewarding. Who doesn’t want to travel the world and follow their passion for recording sounds?
Take a moment to listen to your surroundings. Pause reading this post, grab a pen and paper, and shut off any background music or tv. Close your eyes and focus on what you can hear. Is it the hum of the air conditioner, the gentle buzz of the fridge, or the sounds of passing cars on the nearby road? Write down everything you hear – these will be your keywords for later.
Starting with sound recording is all about listening. Step outside and take a moment to listen to the world around you. You’ll be amazed at the abundance of sounds waiting to be recorded by you – and with the right equipment, you can do just that.
From the toilet flush of your apartment to the birds singing in the trees, the world is your oyster when it comes to sound recording. So let’s get started!
When it comes to gear, don’t get hypnotized by all the new and shiny objects hitting the market. Just because it’s fresh off the assembly line, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better than what’s been available for years. Keep an eye out for what content creators are telling you (or what they’re not telling you) about the latest gadgets. At the end of the day, remember that it’s not about the latest gear you have, it’s about how you use it. So, focus on honing your skills and techniques, and the rest will fall into place.
At the end of the day, it’s all about making a decision, and we’re here to recommend one that could change your life. This recorder has been the game-changer that kickstarted our successful field recording business, and we want to share that with you. We’re not going to overwhelm you with 10 different options – just one that we know can make a big impact on your journey. So get ready to start capturing incredible sounds and taking the first step towards a future filled with adventure and creativity with the Zoom H1n!
We can’t get enough of this amazing little field recording device! It’s been our go-to for capturing sounds on the streets, in the wild, and everywhere in between. So we decided to take it on a journey through the bustling city of Osaka, to demonstrate just how powerful and versatile it is
Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the best mic for recording rain, wind, or nature sounds?” Well, let me tell you, it’s not as simple as grabbing a mic and hitting record. Out in the field, you might notice your headphones pick up heavy rumbles and distorted audio, which is definitely not what you expected to hear. Don’t worry though, it’s just the wind playing tricks on your mic.
But don’t despair, my friend! Some companies have dedicated their lives to protecting your gear and recordings from this “winderful” element. And guess what? Using wind protection means you can actually capture crisp and clean wind sounds, which are super popular for sound libraries. So, if you want to avoid muffled audio and embrace clear recordings, make sure to protect your mic from the wind.
We’re not just all talk – we’re about action! In fact, we made a video to show you a comparison between a $20 wind jammer and a $1200 wind basket. You don’t need to break the bank to get started with wind protection but it’s important to think about it. Trust us, your ears (and your listeners and buyers) will thank you for it!
Choosing the right headphones can be a tricky task, and it all boils down to personal preference. Do you like the snug fit of in-ear headphones, or the comfort of over-ear ones? Do you want to keep them in your pocket as part of your everyday carry kit, or store them in your backpack with the rest of your gear? Well, guess what? I’ve found some fantastic in-ear headphones that I’ve been absolutely loving lately. No more hauling around bulky over-ear headphones for me! Plus, when you’re using a Zoom H1n or another small handheld recorder, there’s no need to purchase headphones three times the size. And these in-ear headphones are great for editing, too!
By the way, we’ve also written an article on the best affordable headphones!
If you are recording with more than two channels, I recommend to use a power bank or an NP-F Lithium-ion battery.
I recently purchased the Nitecore NB10000 Gen 2 power bank, and I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed! This small and lightweight device is a must-have for any field recordist. It offers a long-lasting and reliable power source, making it a great investment for anyone looking to enhance their recording setup.
It also fits perfectly in the Ktek bag for Zoom F6 bag, and can be used to power your Zoom H6 or Tascam X8 as well.
Libby, uses a Watson NPF 7700 battery, and I was intrigued to try it out. I must say, it exceeded my expectations. I tested it by recording on all six channels and after many hours, the battery was still going strong with 4400mAh. This compact setup is perfect for my recording needs and I would definitely recommend it.
It’s important to note that the batteries come in different mAh versions, so it’s crucial to determine which one is right for you. Should you choose a power bank, Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, or regular batteries? Make sure to adjust your Zoom F6 settings to match your choice of power source.
Who would have thought a handy sound recorder in Cambodia would lead us here?
Hi there we’re Marcel and Libby and every sound on this site has been recorded by us. For nearly 7 years, we’ve been traveling around the world recording unique sounds for others to use!Â
If you’re curious and want to learn more about our journey traveling full-time as sound recordists you can read on here or on CNN Travel.
Please, please, please don’t make the same mistake that I did and neglect organizing and naming your files. It’s so much easier and more organized now, and there are people out there who can guide you on where to find and learn about it.
Back when we started out with sound recordings, this information was hard to come by. A group of sound engineers were probably tired of purchasing sound libraries only to find themselves lost in a whirlwind of different file name descriptions and created the UCS Universal Category System.
Remember when we told you to write down what you heard? These keywords are categorized into specific groups, and we’ve even made a video on how to write metadata for your field recordings. So don’t skip out on this important step so that you don’t have to worry about renaming your files in the years ahead.
When it comes to editing field recordings, we’ll dive deeper into that in another post. But for now, it’s important to know what software you can use to start listening to and working with your sound recordings.
To get started, you’ll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Since you’re likely working with stereo/mono files in the beginning, I recommend using either Reaper DAW or Ableton Live Lite. Not only are these DAWs free and always updated with the latest technology, but they also have great online communities and tons of helpful YouTube tutorials to guide you along the way.
Later on, you can use plugins to manipulate your field recordings and turn them into music or sound design projects. Or, you can even layer them with other sounds to create intricate soundscapes. Here is a video how I turn LOM Geofón recordings into dark drones.
Of course, there are many more resources out there to help you get started with field recording, and we hope that our guide has provided you with some helpful guidance and insights. Be sure to check out our other YouTube videos on field recording gear, where we compare and showcase real-world tests with a variety of high-end and budget-friendly options. Happy recording!
Who would have thought a handy sound recorder in Cambodia would lead us here?
Hi there we’re Marcel and Libby and every sound on this site has been recorded by us. For nearly 7 years, we’ve been traveling around the world recording unique sounds for others to use!Â
If you’re curious and want to learn more about our journey traveling full-time as sound recordists you can read on here or on CNN Travel.
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