Up The Creek
My fella had a baseball tournament over the weekend so I was left to my own devices. I probably shouldn't be left to my own devices very often.
I was out on my daily walk about halfway to the lake, when it struck me - a fabulous idea for a new project. New project ideas are a huge part of freelancing, so I hurried home to set things in motion.
First, I grabbed my digital camera and ran out to the back yard to get some good pictures of the creek.
It's not very deep, two feet in most places and as high as three feet in some spots.
I rushed back into the house get my Zoom recorder, a little portable digital audio recorder that I use for interviews and sound effects. Crouching on the bank, I captured some clear audio but figured it would sound crisper if I was in the water.
We had a lot of snow in the Okanagan last winter and the creek is really moving. And in a matter of minutes I was really moving too - except I was on my butt, flailing my arms and floating backwards down the creek, trying to avoid obstacles like tree branches. And mean ducks who were pointing their wings and laughing.
As I mentioned, this happened on Saturday morning. 2 days have passed now - both my embarrassment, and the long scratch on my leg, are fading. Although I'm sure my neighbors (and those stupid ducks) will be laughing about this story 'til Canada Day.
But I managed to get my sound effects of the creek. And save my little Zoom recorder from a cold, watery death.
I'm glad I wasn't trying to record Niagara Falls.
***UPDATE: The KING Of All SFX, Brother John from Pennsylvania, rewired my audio. Good grief this guy is talented! He added quacks and chirps and splashes and even a Canadian Moose in the background.
You can listen to it here or on his website.
Ah yes! I remember well the day a friend of mine and I were hiking my Uncle's property along the Susquehanna River. We had come to a small creek running off of that and my friend hiked right into the water meaning to cross to the other side. Of course, I followed. About three quarters of the way across he yelled back to me that the bottom was very icy. I had about two seconds to process what he was saying before I too was headed down the creek (toward the river!) using the very same method described by you in your post. I'd try to stop, to stand, and would go right back down.
So... don't feel too bad. These are the elements of true adventure!
Brother John
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania USA
Posted by: Brother John | June 16, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Excellent visual Brother John! I wonder if the Susquehanna ducks are as mean as our Okanagan ducks...
Posted by: kelsi | June 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Now this one's for the audio. I LOVE the sound of water flowing. I've always said that water is one of my power sources. Whenever I hike, I always make a point to be near a flowing stream at some point.
I was lucky enough once to have had a portable stereo recorder with two microphones each having very long leads. I placed one upstream and the other downstream and began recording.
F A N T A S T I C Results!
I noticed there isn't a true stereo or monaural recording with your sample. One channel has the creek sounds (nice!) and the other channel is getting some kind of weird feedback or noise. At least it is on my end.
I could clean that up for you if you wish? Unless you want to do it I mean. I like doing that sort of thing.
Either way, I'd love to use it for meditation if you'd permit me?
Brother John
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania USA
Posted by: Brother John | June 16, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Wow - you know your audio.
That'd be great if you wanna clean it up, Brother J. I'd like to hear the two versions back to back. And feel free to loop it and use it to your hearts content - no copyright!
Posted by: kelsi | June 16, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Ok. Check out my blog site to see Brother John playing in the creek. Yeah... he's all wet.
Posted by: Brother John | June 16, 2008 at 11:39 PM
I just listened to your 'redo' of the creek sfx. It's excellent!
As I mentioned on your site, you have an wonderful ear for detail, Brother J. Still can't figure out the sounds at the end - I thought it was gonna be someone falling in the water and then flailing around in the creek. Oooohhh - scary flashbacks.
Spill the beans, what is it?
Posted by: kelsi | June 17, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I commented to that very question on my BlogSite. I have now included a hint at the end of the post in the form of an animated GIF. You were on the right track.
By the way, "falling into the creek" actually happens even though I didn't point it out. Listen again closely and about half way through you'll hear a subtle "splash" but it's quick! I hide all kinds of things in my SoundScapes.
Brother John
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania USA
Posted by: Brother John | June 17, 2008 at 09:01 AM
For those who don't want to find the splash it's near 1:16.
Posted by: Brother John | June 17, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Found it. The only thing missing is a high pitched shriek and several well placed cuss words.
Posted by: kelsi | June 17, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Thank Ye Sai for the kind words. Anytime you want to try out some ideas involving a soundscape, just let me know. I rather enjoyed doing this one.
By the way... there are MANY who are better at doing this, or who have better hardware to do this type of thing. I only use software and my skills would be considered, by them, to be basic. But it doesn't mean I wouldn't love to get more involved in the learning process. I'm a great experimenter. I think I need to become someone's apprentice. Yeah. That would probably do it nicely.
I often dream of setting up a home studio and getting into all sorts of multimedia. You should see what I can do relating to digital art! But Audio, Video, Graphics, all are of interest to me.
Posted by: Brother John | June 18, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Hey Kelsi! Four words:
Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño Cheetos.
Now I KNOW there is a GOD!!!
Posted by: Brother John | June 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM