Last summer 2023 I went to a place I haven’t recorded much. Was it at Strandir in northwest Iceland. A friend invited me to stay in an apartment for a few days in Drangsnes, so I tried to use the time as well as I could for field recordings in the area.
It actually didn’t go very well. I had come down with a bad flu the same week as summer vacation started so I had little to no energy for many weeks. I was also facing another problem. The whole time I was in the area there was a strong wind except for maybe 1-2 hours during some nights. It was also rather cold, so nature was rather silent. Much of the material I caught these days was therefore not particularly interesting.
However, I had the opportunity one calm night to record a nice peace at the coastline. Part of it is here below. It’s very likely that I will put more of this recording on the web later, because the soundscape changed a bit during the 3-4 hours I was recording.
It is the summer solstice so it is therefore bright all day long. The recording starts at 23:45 and ends at 00:20 o´clock.
This is a typical soundscape in fjords in northern Iceland and in fact everywhere around the arctic circles.
This is a high gain recording. Recorded at +50 db. Then add about 20dB up to -7dB peak RMS. No noise reduction in post. Just fade in and out.
Many bird species are in this recording. There was several gull species, at last great black backed gull. Arctic tern, common eider, whimbrel, European golden plover, red throated loon, Common loon, arctic puffin and Eurasian oystercatcher. Sheep were not far away and seals were lying on rocks near the beach.
Quality open headphones are recommended while listening at low to mid volume.
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(mp3 256kpps / 63Mb)
Recorder: Sound devices MixPre6
Mics: Lewitt LCT540s (IRT cross – 30cm/90°)
Pix: Samsung S22
Weather: Calm, cloudy, about 7°C
Location: 65.692865, -21.558621
HLJÓÐMYND - SOUNDIMAGE 
What windprotection do you use for the 540’s ?
I use Rycote WS AE, slightly modified
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZYuLhedksbKC1pWA
Wow, very crafty, practical and inspiring !!! Thank you 🙂
Looks impressive and well made and thought through! Thank you 🙂
Great quality and stereo separations with Lewitt LCT540s (IRT cross – 30cm/90°). How you master to stereo from IRT cross?
Thanks,
Richard
I usually always have the same setup. Arrange the microphones on the tripods like this, if you count in a circle: Ch1 =L. Ch2 =R. Ch3 =L. Ch4 =R When I try to find a position for the tripod, I point Ch1-2 away from me and try to find a good balance in the sound image. Ch1&2 are therefore the main channels that the recording takes into account.
When it comes to mastering, I mix two stereo channels which I mix together as described above. However, this can change because I am used to recording in several hours. During that time, the soundscape can change. Unwanted sound can be heard from some direction which I don’t want to have in the recording. For example, let’s say that traffic starts to be heard on Ch2. Then I use Ch1 on the right, Ch4 in the middle and Ch3 on the left. I have also had to take out two channels, Ch1 and Ch4 but then have Ch2(L) and Ch3(R) as a usable stereo recording.
Which software are you using for mixing 4 channels? I am using Adobe Audition. I do not use any filters, cleaning or effects, just levels. Thanks, Richard
I mainly use Reaper for multi-channel recordings.
I often use Gold Wave for 2ch/stereo recordings, simply because it is simple and it does everything that needs to be done without complicating things.
Otherwise, it’s the same for me. I never use filters under any circumstances in nature recordings.
But I do use HPF when I record, usually 40Hz to 80Hz, no more. If I need more, I try to find better shelter for the microphones.
I just check your post and sound from 05Jan 2025 frozen lake is a extraordinary sound.
Continue in this post, got Lewitt LCT 640TS. This is multi pattern mic, I am only interested cause has output from two capsules and self noise 10dB. Tested in field, Missouri Weston Bend, State Park, and has a nice stereo channel separation. Mic is expensive, but saves space, one mount and one Rycotte BBG wind shield only.