Michael Oster
F7 Sound and Vision's Michael Oster has been recording the sounds around him since the 1970s, beginning on cassette and continuing all the way up to include 24 bit portable laptop based systems....

Diary of a Recorded Sound

Ever wonder what happens during the life of a recorded sound?



Something triggers the movement of molecules which causes small changes air pressure (within a certain frequency range and amplitude range, we can hear those changes and call it sound).

Changes in air pressure impact the diaphragm of a microphone (a transducer) which alters a magnetic field set up inside the mic. The diaphragm moves in relation to those changes in air pressure.

Changes in the magnetic field result in the generation of small amounts of electricity.

In some microphones, the electricity is amplified before leaving.

The electricity is sent from the microphone to a preamplifier.

The preamplifier brings up the levels of the electricity to a point that they become useable and can be recorded.

From the preamplifier, the signal is sent to digital converters where the electricity is sampled and changed over to data which approximates the frequency and amplitude of the prior signal.

The data is then sent to a computer or digital recorder where just about anything is possible. The data can be manipulated and stored or converted to many different data formats such as WAV, mp3, mp2, AAC, images, or whatever.

For playback, the data is sent to another set of converters and is changed back to electricity (digital to analog conversion).

That electricity goes into an amplifier then to speakers or headphones.

Speakers and headphones (transducers) trigger the movement of molecules which cause small (and sometimes not so small) changes in air pressure (within a certain frequency range and amplitude range, we hear those changes and call it sound).




OK, I know a few "tweakheads" are going to say that I left out things like filters, effects, analog recorders, or other stuff. They're right, but I wanted to list out in pretty basic terms what happens when a sound is digitally recorded (as most are these days) and played back.

Lizard cage doubles as microphone wind screen!

Microphones and wind don't mix well, but that all changes when I place a stereo field recording mic inside a nylon mesh lizard enclosure.

Experience "the Difficult Listening Channel" podcast where the sounds in my head become the sounds in yours.

Hear these sounds:


Night Insect - nightinsect01.mp3


Toad Close Up - toadxcu.mp3


Construction recorded from under an interstate overpass - constructionpounder.mp3



These are 160kbps stereo mp3s. Orginally recorded with a Sound Devices 702 / Rode NT-4 by Michael Oster.

Record a Fart
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The Story Behind My CDs
Personality, character, style, emotion and more go in before a CD ever comes out. There's a method to this madness.

Microphone Tip!
Before you trash your old microphone and buy a new one. try something simple and unleash the multiple personalities of the mic you already have...

It's not the gear.
It's how you use it. Skill counts big in recording...

DAT Killer!
Sound Devices delivers a truly professional field recorder with it's 7 Series units. I just picked up a 702. DAT IS DEAD! Get the details.

Windy Outside?
Use a $35 nylon mesh reptile enclosure as wind protection for your microphones and save hundreds of dollars!

More information on field recording plus tips and tricks here...

Recording the sounds of storms:
How I record the dynamic sounds of a thunderstorm without getting killed...

LaptopNoise.com
Turn the average laptop into a brutal noise machine. This site explores the computers, software, performances, noise and experimental music artists.

Your feedback is welcome!
e-mail: F7sound@gte.net

Tape Destruction
Destroy cassette tapes and get some awesome, mutated new sounds. It's fun, easy and I show you how to do it effectively. Pictures and audio examples right now.

Million Dollar Upgrade - FREE!!
Improve your production skills without spending anything on new gear....

Sony PCM-D50 Review
Can I have "too many" digital audio field recorders? Can a woman have "too many" pairs of shoes? I didn't think so....