Binaural Shinkansen Interior Sound Library

7 files • 24 bit/192 kHz • 900 MB • 10 min

As a sound enthusiast and traveler, I’ve always been fascinated by the sounds and sensations of transportation. So when I had the opportunity to ride in one of Japan’s Shinkansen trains, I knew I had to record the experience in binaural audio using my trusty DPA 4560 in-ear microphones.

The Shinkansen train, also known as the “bullet train,” is a technological marvel that’s renowned for its speed, safety, and efficiency. But beyond its practical benefits, riding the Shinkansen train is a unique sensory experience that’s unlike any other mode of transportation.

As I boarded the train, I slipped on my binaural microphones and started recording. The first thing I noticed was the quiet hum of the train, punctuated by the occasional sound of footsteps and luggage being wheeled down the aisle.

I walked all the way to the back of the train and started moving towards the front, recording the sound of me opening and closing the doors, as well as the gentle rumble and vibrations of the train. I passed people sitting in seats, chatting quietly, eating, or dozing off to sleep. In some corridors, I could hear chatter, footsteps, or one person washing their hands.

The binaural microphones allowed me to record the depth of these sounds, creating an immersive 3D soundscape that hopefully makes you feel like you were inside the train with me.

As I reached the end of the train, I also recorded the sound of the train’s windows vibrating and the gentle squeak of the moving train.

It was only a short ride, but before the train reached our final destination, I recorded the sound of pressing the button in the train’s bathroom. The hydraulic sound of the toilet flushing, coupled with the whoosh of water flowing, created another fun sound effect.

I will be releasing several more Shinkansen and bullet train sound libraries, but this one is exclusively in binaural.

Listen to the sound compilation