Ears Wide Open

Taiwan Soundscapes - Two blogs from Tsai-Wei Chen, a Taiwanese student at Goldsmiths College, University of London [BLOGSPOT] [BLOGROODO]

Archaeoacoustics Sites - Archaeoacoustics is the study of the acoustic properties in and around archaeological sites, including neolithic stone circles (which often exhibit sound focusing), underground chambers (where there are often amplification or attenuation effects), and rock art sites (where echoes may have evoked spirits). Example: Easter Aquorthies: The project sought to confirm the presence of a distinctive echo that seemed to originate from the recumbent stone. To test this a loudspeaker was positioned near to the recumbent block and set to emit 'pink noise' whilst a series of recordings were taken across the interior of the circle. The arrangement of stones act rather like a stage in a theatre. In addition to providing an impressive visual backdrop to activities within the circle, these megaliths reflect and enhance sound. Sounds could also be heard echoing between other stones, creating a peculiar effect which could easily be generated by clapping, using the voice or by simple musical instruments. Interestingly, people outside the circle would not have been able to hear these sound effects. Aaron Watson Neolithic UK site studies [WEBSITE] [ANOTHER WATSON SITE] Steven J. Waller's Rock Art Site, US [WEBSITE] Victor Reijes recordings analysis [WEBSITE] Archaeoacoustics Yahoo Group [WEBSITE]

Memoryscapes - Enjoy two of the most dramatic riverside walks in London and hear the voices of people whose lives have been entwined with the Thames. These sound walks take place at two of the most contrasting stretches of river in London. DRIFTING begins in the peaceful surroundings of Hampton Court Palace and DOCKERS ends up in the rarely explored industrial landscape of the Greenwich peninsula. [WEBSITE] [INTERVIEW WITH TOBY BUTLER, MEMORYSCAPES CREATOR]

Sounds of New York - Collection of short sound recordings from ferries, subways, streets. [WEBSITE]

Sound Sense of Place - A collaboration between the Detroit Zoo and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, this site contains two collections of recordings by David Dunn, all of which are available for download and use in compositions. [WEBSITE]

Space Audio - Favorite sounds from Don Gurnett, a long-time academic researcher, presented as sonograms, sound files, and java-based animations tracking the sounds across the sonogram. Features all the classics, from earth-based ionospheric VLF recordings to Cassini at Saturn and Voyager at the termination shock of the solar wind on the extremities of the solar system. [WEBSITE]
SunRings, Kronos/Riley Multimedia Extravaganza - Gurnett worked with NASA, which commissioned Terry Riley to compose a work based on his recordings. As performed by the Kronos Quartet since 2002, this evening-length piece is accompanied by dramatic imagery, and serves as a meditation on our planet's place in the cosmos. Includes links to a pre-performance lecture featuring all the scientific and creative participants. [WEBSITE]

SpaceSounds, DinosaurSounds, StormSounds - For the developers of this series of nicely designed sites, it all started with the sounds of space. Online navigation around the cosmos and globe triggers samples of pieces based on space probe radio frequency data, paleontology evidence, and good old fashioned field recording. CDs are also available. [SPACESOUNDS WEBSITE] [DINOSAURSOUNDS WEBSITE] [STORMSOUNDS WEBSITE]

Binaural Media Survey of Location and Context-Based Media - A series of interviews with sound artists, including Chris Watson, Francisco Lopez, and Yannick Dauby [WEBSITE]

New Adventures in Sound Art - Toronto-based organization sponsoring events and web resources covering sound installations, radio art, soundwalking, and other sound arts [WEBSITE]

Macaulay Library Animal Sound Visualizer - A nifty QuickTime plug in allows visitors to explore the world of animal sound in stunning new ways. While listening to an animal call or song (and often watching an accompanying video), you can watch in real time as a curser moves across the spectrogram showing the structure of the sounds. You can even slow down or speed up the playback from .25x to 8x! From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, home of one of the most comprehensive collections of bioacoustics recordings. [WEBSITE]