Field Recording Ahead of Studio Dates

Zoom H4N recorder near Norfolk Southern C&S Inman Yard in Atlanta, GA

Freight train field recording captures “trackside” samples for use in new song

It has been eight years since I recorded in a studio, and I am eager to begin work on a new ambient instrumental project. These songs are more than a year in the making, and I cannot wait to start recording.

Last winter, I purchased a Digitakt by Elektron and it changed the way I approach writing instrumental songs. The Digitakt is a drum machine and it has shifted my workflow for compositions out of the digital audio workstation. By turning knobs and tapping keys to program sequences, electronic composition became a much more tactile experience.

As I prepare to go into the studio for this upcoming album, I have been adding to a bank of field recordings and audio samples. These are intended for use in the upcoming album and include recordings of trains, ocean waves, MRI scanners, whales and rocket launches. I’ll keep you all updated as over the next few months as this album takes shape.

-Jonathan