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Coaching in Field Recording, SCRIPTING, & sound design
Recording a soundscape from a kayak at dusk on a high elevation ephemeral lake.
Want more varied & intriguing sounds for your productions?
Got great recordings but no idea how to turn them into a finished piece?
Get personal mentoring in location recording and how to use those recordings in your work.
Winner!
BEST DOCUMENTARY. Congratulations to mentee Angel Perez Grandi who won the Richard Margoschis Trophy for ‘Best Documentary’ in the 2024 Wildlife Sound Recording Society awards. I helped Angel develop his lovely sound-rich piece
Echoes from the Barn
Below is a short extract. To hear this and other winners in full join the WSRS at:
https://www.wildlife-sound.org/
Photo: Walter Brunner.
TIPS FOR CREATING & EDITING holiday/vacation AUDIO POSTCARDS
ON LOCATION
1. TOP TIP – make sure you have some kind of microphone wind shielding BEFORE you travel.
2. Record at as many different places as possible that catch your ear. Not just the main tourist spots.
3. Capture ‘signature’ moments and sounds .
4. . Record incidental sounds – they could be soundscapes - or just little impromptu moments.
5. Keep your audio diary every day. Describe the scenes, sounds and emotions you’re feeling at the time.
BACK HOME
1. Its really important that you download and label your files ASAP.
2. When you have time, listen through fully to each track, edit out any clearly useless/unwanted bits.
3. Also do any filtering/EQ/noise reduction at this stage.
4. Put copies of the best recordings in a new folder.
From multitrack mix to Instagram….
6. Arrange your best recordings in an interesting running order. If you’re struggling – just put them in chronological order. This works best using a DAW like Adobe Audition, ProTools, or VEGAS, where you can assemble the piece in a multitrack mix. .
7. If some recordings are too long – cut them up & cross fade so that you have a much shorter segment with just the best bits.
8. Adjust the volume levels – there are normalization & equalization automations for this. But honestly I prefer to do mine by hand.
9. ALWAYS work in wave files all the way through the process and mix down to a wave file.
10. Make an mp3 file from the finished wave file version as the LAST thing you do, before uploading to social media.
Hear an example of one of my own an audio postcards - made into a feature for resonance Fm at the bottom of this page…
What will you learn with some coaching?
LOCATION TECHNIQUES
Field recording requires very different skills from navigating a simple indoor guest interview. Whether you’re going out into nature or the middle of an urban jungle, I can help you learn how to get right into the sound field and capture realistic, immersive audio for your podcast.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR
Digital recorders, pro windshielding, mic stands, shock mounts etc - it can all be a bit daunting when you’re getting started. I can help you navigate the vast array of available gear and help you put together an affordable and useful kit.
Want to try immersive binaural stereo? This is an inexpensive dummy head array, fitted with miniature omni mics in the ears.
NAVIGATING WITH YOUR EARS
Getting great location sound isn’t just about having the right gear. Its about developing a more nuanced awareness of the world of sound around you, learning how to work with the acoustics of urban and natural spaces, as well as knowing when/how to move with your mics. With my coaching you’ll go out on a field recording project to hone your skills, and benefit from my expert tips and guidance.
Cost: One 1.5 hour introductory session, followed by three 45 minute follow up personal coaching sessions (all remote) - includes a practical field recording assignment and email Q&A follow-up for US$600/GBP£500.
Client Testimonials…
“Diane took the time to understand and tailor her instruction to my needs. Through her, I gained a ton of valuable knowledge about equipment and best practices. In addition to technical skills, Diane helped boost my confidence as an aspiring producer in a competitive industry.”
Clarissa Marks, LA-based Audio Producer
“Working with Diane reinvigorated my passion for audio production … Diane shaped our sessions based on tangible projects and provided thoughtful, real-time feedback, allowing me to practice new skills in a hands-on way. The gems she shared about immersive field recording and mixing will forever stay with me.”
Stefanie Ritoper, Producer and Multimedia Journalist
ACROSS THE ANDES ON HORSEBACK
An extended audio postcard I made from the early days of my sound recordingn career, which aired on Resonance FM. Music from La Revancha del Tango by GoTan Project and Argentine folk musician Chaqueño Palavecino from the album Juan de la Calle.
Photo: Enjoying the view from Argentina on my horse ‘Floppy’ looking towards Chile and the Lanin volcano.