Looking for a recording of general Playa background noise

[MoBo]

In 2010 I did not make it to the burn, but I did have the UStream webcam running one night at [default] home, and the audio feed was ambient Playa sounds. Just that vague bass from multiple sources blended with occasional jets of fire, passing vehicles playing whatever and distant shouts of happy people. You know the sound if you have been there at some distance from the sound camps.

I kept that audio on all night and would occasionally wake up and for a second or two... I was THERE.

This year I want to try that again pre-playa as "training".

Does anyone know of any long recordings that capture the ambience of the on-playa experience? If not I'll look in to making my own this year.

Two things:
1. The recording cannot be close enough to any ONE source of sound to make that sound stand out from the aggregate. For example: being able to make out what a person is actually saying vs general crowd noise.
2. The recording needs to be long enough to make it in to a loop without too frequent repetition being noticeable.

[Eric]

You can try here

[MoBo]

You can try here

Thanks Eric. I knew I would get at least one LMGTFY. You get to be my first.

The simulations easily found are mixes of various other recordings and sound inauthentic. The "ambient sound" videos I have found usually suffer from the person recording walking and talking. Moving from one sound to the other.
The one time I did hear what I was looking for was that UStream webcast. It seemed to be sourced from a microphone somewhere near center camp, but not right on the road. Had I thought to record it rather than simply stream it I would have exactly what I need. As it is all the archived UStream stuff I was able to find is post 2010 and has BMIR as the audio.

I think I'll invest in an HD Audio Recorder and just make it happen in 2014. I think it would be kind of cool to play in the background at parties too.

[BBadger]

If you're going to do that, use two multiple microphones so that you can have stereoscopic sound. Also, the build-up of sound over the week is part of the magic too.

[MoBo]

If you're going to do that, use two multiple microphones so that you can have stereoscopic sound. Also, the build-up of sound over the week is part of the magic too.

Thanks Teethcake,

I searched around and found some portable devices that look promising for ambient sound capture in the <$200 range. They all come with dual mics. I'lll also get the furry wind-sock thing as the wind will be a factor.
I'm thinking of placing it up high and away from any road wherever I camp this year.

I think I'll aim for 2 to 4 hours per capture from various times of day and night. How many will depend on my ability to remember to change SD cards and batteries. Would like to get some familiar bits like the audible howls that greet the sunset, an example of 4am, and maybe peak hours late in the week as well as mid-day. If I'm ambitious enough, I'll get an hour of Deep Playa, and maybe some Esplanade, but for that I would have to stay near the recorder to prevent it from moon walking, so I don't think I'd get LONG recordings of those.

[BoyScoutGirl]

I am well-known to be totally biased, but - in addition to howling - I find the sound of the bell that tolls as the Lamplighter procession leaves camp to be a wonderful reminder that the day is ending and night-time draws nigh.

[MoBo]

I am well-known to be totally biased, but - in addition to howling - I find the sound of the bell that tolls as the Lamplighter procession leaves camp to be a wonderful reminder that the day is ending and night-time draws nigh.

It's good to know that I still have some things to experience on Playa for the first time.

While I've been able to see the majesty of the lighting procession from various spots, I have not seen them (you) leave camp, nor have I heard said bell.
It's on the Burner Bucket List*.

*Is that a thing?

[BoyScoutGirl]

... I have not seen them (you) leave camp, nor have I heard said bell....

It could be you, if you like! We need walk-in volunteers every night. If you'd like to join us in the procession, swing by Lamplighter Village (behind Center Camp) around 5pm (4pm on Saturday) and we'll put you in a robe and put you to work. We also have themed bar parties every day starting at 3pm.

The time the procession departs varies from day to day, so if you'd rather just watch the procession and cheer us on, swing by around 6pm.

[MoBo]

It could be you, if you like! We need walk-in volunteers every night. If you'd like to join us in the procession, swing by Lamplighter Village (behind Center Camp) around 5pm (4pm on Saturday) and we'll put you in a robe and put you to work.

Adding that to the Burner Bucket List as well...

BBL (Continued)...
20. "Get" Dubstep
21. Fly over Burning Man
22. Be "Gifted" a questionable brownie
23. Finally see that Daft Punk show
24. See a helicopter crash on to the playa
25. Have sex in Deep Playa
26. Have sex in Deep Playa with another person
27. Join Lamplighter Procession

[BoyScoutGirl]

Excellent!

As for the sound recording, if you do make one or find one, please do share. I'd love to play a similar file around the house, maybe when falling asleep or waking up. I'm pretty surprised there isn't one floating around out there already.

I checked the Quiet American, but no luck for BRC recordings, and they don't have long recordings anyway.

Apparently a guy name DJ Playaduster mixes ambient recordings of BRC - maybe you can get some raw sound from him? I found his name searching the Internet Archive. Here's an example of his remixes: https://archive.org/details/Disorientat ... ilogyPart1

[Kacey]

Try here...

http://www.thesoundsofburningman.org/CD/index.htm

[MoBo]

Try here...

http://www.thesoundsofburningman.org/CD/index.htm

That's some cool sounds.

[thnkfl]

In 2010 I made an HD sound recording by walking around for 70 minutes. I put together a DVD w/ the soundtrack. PM me with your address and I will send you a copy. It does make great background for a party!

[MoBo]

In 2010 I made an HD sound recording by walking around for 70 minutes. I put together a DVD w/ the soundtrack. PM me with your address and I will send you a copy. It does make great background for a party!

Wow that is nice of you. I missed 2010 so it won't be a "repeat".

Playa Party Background Sound! New from K-Tell!

[BoyScoutGirl]

Bumping this to add: http://blog.burningman.com/2014/08/cult ... dio-magic/.

From the description, the recordings have been heavily mixed, but still may be of interest.

[MoBo]

I just went ahead and made the Ambient recordings I was looking for...

https://soundcloud.com/user900687763/tascam-0011s12
https://soundcloud.com/user900687763/tascam-0012s12

Music, MV pass-bys, Bike bells, sirens, Flamethrowers... I still feel like I'm there.

[melomel]

Thanks so much offarock! I've been missing that soundtrack greatly the last couple days.....

[Captain Goddammit]

I'm assuming the ambient playa noise recordings you wanted are ones recorded when a big white space ship on a scissor lift isn't around.