Nature has always been a source of inspiration for my soundscapes. From the soothing sound of a running stream to the chirping of birds, the natural world is full of sounds that can be used to create unique and beautiful compositions. And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to capture these sounds using nothing more than a cellphone microphone.

One of the biggest advantages of using a cellphone microphone to record nature sounds is the convenience and portability it offers. With a smartphone in hand, you can easily venture out into the wilderness and capture the sounds of nature without the need for bulky and expensive equipment. And because most smartphones today are equipped with high-quality microphones, you can be sure that the sounds you capture will be of good quality. I believe the accessibility mobile phones provide is one of the main reasons I use it for recording the nature sounds you hear in my soundscapes.

Another benefit of using a cellphone microphone to record nature sounds is the ability to capture unique and rare sounds that might not be available in traditional sound libraries. By venturing out into nature and recording your own sounds, you can create a personal library of unique and authentic sounds that you can use for your music production. The past 3 years of my PhD research have allowed me to archive many sounds, making for a large sound library I can use to reference and take inspiration from.

If you are keen to try recording sounds in nature, here are some tips when using your mobile phone:

Choose the right location: Look for a location that is relatively quiet and free of man-made sounds such as traffic or construction noise. Look for natural soundscapes such as forests, rivers, or meadows that offer a variety of sounds to record. Finding the right location might be hard if you live in a city or can’t fully escape sound pollution. If that is the case, you might need to edit the sounds out that you do not want to be in your recording. This can be done using Audacity or other music production apps.

Check the weather: The weather can play a big role in the quality of the sounds you capture. Avoid recording on windy days or during heavy rain as it can create unwanted noise in the recording. I love the sounds of rain and bring my umbrella, but even the umbrella can impact the sound of rain.

Test your recording settings: Before starting to record, test your recording settings to ensure that the microphone is set to the best possible setting for the environment and sounds you’ll be recording. I like to test before I leave the house and then test again when I get to the location.

Be patient: The beauty of nature is that it is always changing, so be patient and wait for the right moment to record. You may have to wait for a bird to call or for the wind to die down before you can capture the perfect sound. I sometimes like to stand, close my eyes, and breathe in the fresh air while I am waiting.

Use an app: There are several apps available for recording nature sounds which can help you to record, edit, and share your recordings with others. I use the recording app pre-installed on my Samsung Galaxy.

Respect the nature and the animals : Always be respectful to the environment you are in and do not disturb it. For example, I like to drink coffee when I am out on my nature walks, but I always make sure to dispose of my coffee cups in the bin.

I am passionate about capturing the sounds of nature, and I believe that anyone can create beautiful soundscapes. Immersing myself in nature has had a positive impact on my mental health and I want to share my experience to inspire others to do the same. I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to explore the healing power of nature through the medium of sound.