Given the increase of field recordings as compositional material, this workshop is an investigation into the historical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of field recording as a means of documentation and as a musical practice.
The first session will cover the various possibilities and something of a history of the genre through listening examples and discussion.
The second session will cover the technical means for making field recordings including information on microphones, field recorders, and techniques for improving your sound. You’ll then use a field recorder to create a recording of your own to be played back in the concert of works on Friday, February 1st.
In addition to workshop participant recordings the concert on February 1st will also include a brief lecture and performance of John Cage’s William’s Mix by Soundhack audio guru Tom Erbe.
A dedicated field recording device (Zoom, Edirol, Tascam) is recommended but not required. We’ll have a couple of extras on hand but feel free to bring along any sort of mobile recording device including your phone, mini disc recorder, cassette recorder, wire recorder, laptop, etc.