Wild Soundscapes: Discovering the Voice of the Natural World (Paperback)

by Bernie Krause (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Wild Soundscapes is the first comprehensive guide to listening to--and recording--nature. Learn how to tune in to nature's biophonies, or creature symphonies; how to use simple microphones to hear more; and how to record, mix, and play with sounds you gather. Keep it simple or launch yourself into a new creative field. Whether you're an amateur naturalist, novice field recordist, musician, want to create your own natural sound library, or just want to gain further appreciate of the natural world, this is the book for you.

Bernie Krause, a professional field recordist and bioacoustician, shares his expertise in exploring nature's sonic landscapes. Wild Soundscapes comes with a full-length CD, narrated by Krause, sampling a variety of natural sounds: the crashing sea, the singing of ants, the bugling of Yellowstone elk, the plop of falling Costa Rican crabs, and more. With the help of this CD, Krause demonstrates techniques and tricks for field recording success.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Press (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899972969
• ISBN-13: 978-0899972961
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #384,084 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hear! Hear!, September 23, 2002

By	"ecobeetle" (Burnaby) - See all my reviews

When one takes in nature or the wilderness, we experience usually through our eyes. We may stop to hear the birds or notice the howl of a distant wolf, but primarily our senses our limited to optics. The acoustic world of the wild is mostly beyond our reach. What worlds are out there for our ears to discover? And how do we uncover them? Wild Soundscapes by Bernie Krause is an introduction into listening to the sounds of the natural world. It is quite amazing how when most look at aspects of the environment, whether is a tropical rainforest or African savannah, the orchestra of sounds that envelop such settings rarely get any notice. They of course are heard but is the concerto felt and understood? Wild Soundscapes by Bernie Krause will help you discover sound, what is sound and how important soundscapes are. He offers a simple guide of listening exercises to discover the soundscapes of your backyard or favorite parks. They are easy to follow and comprehensive. Wild Soundscapes is also a premier guide to nature recording. Complete with equipment, recording and production tips and techniques. Bernie Krause has created a remarkably ear-opening book. It even includes a 55 minute cd of various Bernie Krause soundscape recordings. Wild Soundscapes is very, very refreshing because it will let you experience the outdoors that we all love in an entirely new way. Hear! Hear!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A 5 star and a 1 star rating in one book, July 3, 2007

By	Peter Linsener - See all my reviews

I think its important to know whats the book about: Its about nature, the sounds of nature, the spirit of field recording. Its about memories from Bernie Krause, some nice stories, its getting you into "how to hear right".
Its not about recording technique, if you never did recording before it might help you and get you started, but if you have a little experience about field recording its not of much help, I not found only basic hints and very, very few about professional recording. So to me its a clear 5 star as its a brilliant started book and nice to read but only a 1 star book for lacking up to date technical and advanced recording aspects.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Only if you are new to the field, October 27, 2005

By	Bruce Rutkoski "Natureguy" (Ravenna, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been professionally recording nature sounds for about 5 years. I bought the book to see if there was something I could learn from an accomplished artist. I didn't learn anything. Sorry to say the booked could have been summed up in a few paragraphs. How many ways can you write about the same paragraph to fill a book? Look elsewhere if you want to read about technical insight, recording issues, and artist flair.