2.3 Field Recording
Field recording is the practice of capturing sounds from your surroundings—like rain, laughter in a hallway, or the energy of a sporting event. Each time you record, you capture something unique and unpredictable, which makes field recordings exciting and powerful. These sounds can be used in music production, sound design, film, and other creative projects to add atmosphere and originality.
Terms
Field Recording: Capturing sounds from real-world environments.
Sound Design: The art of creating or shaping audio for music, film, or media.
Ambient Sound: Background noise that conveys the mood or sense of a place.
11 | Finishing Touches
Try automating sweeps on other tracks in the song. Add additional details to give your track its final polish.
12 | Final Listen
Listen to the final sample arrangement.
1 | Recording Setup
Add a new voice and mic track, select the input, and run a mic test. Record a test track and change the default effects setting to Utility.
2 | Record With Intention
Think like a DJ and record with intention. Choose a location and identify the sounds you want to add for texture in your track.
3 | Listen Critically
Listen to your recordings and find sections that spark imagination, tell a story, or add texture. Trim and name them, then add them to your loop library.
4 | Create The Core
Build the drums, chords, bass, and melody to create an eight-bar section. Layer in the field recordings to see how everything fits together.
5 | Arps & Finish Arrangement
Use the Soundtrap arpeggiator to turn chords into rhythmic melodies. Finish the arrangement by organizing your tracks and clips.
6 | Arrange Imagination
Arrange the field recording into the track. Add reverb and stereo delay to create a dreamy sound.
7 | Add Rhythm
Loop short sections of your field recordings to create rhythm in the high-energy section.
8 | Arrange Drop
Add texture to the snare by layering a section of your field recording in the high-energy section.
9 | Add Texture
Use your field recording to create rhythmic texture. Apply repetition, variation, and fades to add movement.
10 | Finish Arrangement
Add a section of the field recording at the end, and use an automated sweep on one of your tracks to change the sound over time.