sonic surrounds

Field Recording Project

Each first wednesday of the month, Paris has a special concert to offer: from 12 to about 12.15 (noon), all the sirens of the city are being played in a clear protocol (3x siren, break of about 8 to 10 minutes, another 1x siren).

Idea:
To record a soundscape of the city and catch the sirens as an acoustic intersection and the 10 minute siren-break as an open space-perception of the soundspaces of the city.

Method:
We position several people with recording equipment from 11.55 until 12.15 on the 1st of october (next wednesday!) in the innercity of Paris (we are figuring out where exactly that could be at the moment and are curious for proposals) in acoustic spaces where intersections offer to relate to the position of the other recordings. Anybody being stuck somewhere for their work etc. at that time is also very welcome to record from where they are! Use the file format you can; 44.1KHz wav or aiff would be preferred, if possible.

Time synchronization:
We propose to call via mobile telephone a speaking clock (horloge parlante) and to record the voice on the recorder. You can call the 3699 (it will cost you 34 cents) or check http://www.horlogeparlante.com/ and read out the displayed time and then just walk to where you want to record.

Outcome:
A multichannel-work with several (at least 4) channels and speakers where one can explore the Paris soundscape with the sirens as the intersections and the 10-minutes break as an open space of the pace of the city.

How to participate:
Please let us know via mail (h.buhl@email.de) about your tuning in and the recording equipment (dataformat and type of microphone) you have. We can possibly also organize a recorder and a microphone for you.

We are looking forward to explore the city with you!