Sounds were recorded multi-mic and from different perspectives, giving large variety for designing purposes. We used microphones with extended frequency range (Schoeps CMC6XT MS kit, Sanken CO-100k) recording on 192kHz sample rate, shotgun mics (Sennheiser MKH-8060, MKH-815T, Neumann KMR81/KM120 MS kit) as well as Trance Audio Inducer stereo contact microphone (which was very useful in noisy environments and which also has very wide frequency range). We used Sound Devices 702, 744 recorders with MixPre, Zoom F8 and Sony PCM D-50.

Sound are delivered as 192 & 96 kHz / 24 bit wave files with extensive Soundminer ready metadata.
Part of sounds is delivered as multitrack waves – PLEASE USE iXML LIBRARY OPTION in Soundminer, to use it fully as shown below:

If you don’t use Soundminer, don’t worry – sounds are delivered as multi-mono tracks and you can import and audition them one by one.
COAL MINE


Conveyor Belt – 3 files
Coal-Cutting Machine – 3 files
Planer – 6 files
Pump – 2 files
Rotary Planer – 3 files
Conveyor Chain – 5 files
Shearer – 5 files
Cement Mixer – 3 files
Coal Trolley – 3 files
Vantilation Fans – 5 files
Elevator Shaft Engine Hall – 6 files
Antique Huge Steam Machine – 9 files
Mine Elevator – 5 files

ZINC MINE


Underground River – 4 files
Vantilation Fan – 1 file
Diesel Loader Trucks – 51 files

ZINC SMELTER 1


Galvanizing Hall – 3 files
Foundry Hall – 8 files
Gantry Cabin INT – 3 files
Gantry Winch Engine – 4 files
Cutting Machine – 7 files
Hammering on Molds – 3 files
Grinding Mill – 11 files
Pneumatic Air Releases – 8 files
Mills – 9 files
Loader Truck – 1 file
Conveyor Belt – 1 file
Sand Movements in Pipes – 2 files
Lye Hall Machines – 18 files
Lye Hall Liquids – 5 files
Metal Plates – 5 files

ZINC SMELTER 2


Crusher – 4 files
Conveyor Belt – 4 files
Mining Shaft Engine Hall – 15 files
Mining Shaft Engine Hall Basement – Pressure Releases – 8 files
Mining Shaft Engine Hall Basement – Wooden Wheel – 5 files
Mining Shaft Debris Drop – 7 files
Freight Elevator – 7 files
Heavy Mills – 14 files
Liquids – 2 files
Metal Textures – 3 files

ZINC SMELTER 3


Train Car Reverse Machine – 4 files
Sizzling Parched Metal – 2 files
Hammering Machine – 7 files
Metal Cover – 2 files
Saddest Machine Ever – 7 files
Machine Hall – 5 files
Clods Falling – 3 files
Vibration Machine – 1 file

SCRAPYARD


Scrap Loader – 12 + 6 denoised files
Scrapyard AMB – 15 files
Crane Winch Engines – 8 files

TRAMS REPAIR WORKSHOP


Milling Machines – 7 files
Frame Saw – 1 file
Guillotine Shears – 7 file
Welder Generator – 1 file
Tram Electric Engine – 3 files
Huge Tram Gantry – 2 files
CNC Lathe – 1 file
Blasting Machine – 1 file
Ventilation Engine – 3 files
Compressor – 1 file
AMB – 1 file

TRAINS FACTORY


AMB – 4 files
CNC Laser Cutter – 18 files
Train Gantry – 4 files

STEELWORKS


Large Blocks Roll – 2 files
Hot Rolling Mill Engines – 4 files
Rolling Mill – 16 files

VULCANIZER


Pneumatic Servo Engine – 1 file
Pneumatic Air Releases – 6 files
Pneumatic Arm Movements – 3 files
Pneumatic Drill – 6 files
Pneumatic Lifts – 2 files
Pneumatic Hose – 1 file
Tire Balancing Machine – 1 file
Tire Grinder Drill – 10 files
Tire Washing Machine – 1 file

QUARRY


Conveyor Belt – 1 file
Dump Truck Belaz 51 – 43 files
Quarry Loader – 6 files
Crushers – 2 files
Drilling Rig Machine – 15 files
Wheel Loader CAT 972M – 34 files
Wheel Loader Stalowa Wola L34 – 53 files

Available soon…

Recently we went to Łódź, city in central Poland, which was famous for its textile industry evolved in 19th century. In a beautiful former factory made of brick Museum of Textile is located, where weaving workshop is recreated and where you can see (and record…) old textile machinery in motion.

I took almost all my gear with me, since I knew there will be lots of interesting spots to put mics in.
My setup was: Neumann KMR 81 & KM 120 MS kit recording on Sound Devices 702, DPA 4060’s pair recording on Sony PCM D50 with Sound Devices MixPre as a front end, plus Sennheiser MKH 815, Barcus Berry contact mic and a pair of JrF C-series contact mics recording on Zoom H6.
Below are some sounds which I recorded there, full mixes as well individual mics.

Crochet machine. Idle and working.

[Mics order: FullMix, DPA’s, Neumann MS, 815, Barcus Berry, JrF’s]

Mechanical Looms. Narrow and half-wide.

[Mics order: FullMix, DPA’s, Neumann MS, 815, Barcus Berry, JrF’s]

Winder machines.

[Mics order: FullMix, DPA’s, Neumann MS, 815, Barcus Berry, JrF’s]

Directionality of MKH 815 is great for recording this kind of sound sources and gives large variety of textures.

I can’t imagine how insanely loud it was at those times, when there was hundreds of looms working at the same time in a factory. Those machines during their work look like living organisms with all its parts moving very fast (like 16m/s). The floor was vibrating so I placed contact mics on it.

Weaving workshop machines.

[Mics order: FullMix, DPA’s, Neumann MS, H6 XY, Barcus Berry, JrF’s]

At the end of the session I recorded this amazing small machine. It could be great source for small steam punk something.

[Mics order: FullMix, Neumann MS, 815]

For a long time I wanted to create a library of sounds of classic cars from the 60s – 80s which were popular in Eastern / Central Europe.
Growing up in Poland in the 80’s I was familiar with them. Now, during recording sessions it surprised me how clearly I remember their sound and still can identify them.
If you live in a different part of the world, those sounds might be exotic for you. Every car I have recorded has its unique sound character. Same goes with their look. I miss it in todays cars, which are all unified…

I’m not an automotive expert at all. But that’s the thing I love in field recording – you are going out of your lovely editing room, out of you computer screen and meet people. People which are experts, geeks and which totally love what they do. In this case – collectors of vintage cars and most often car mechanics specializing in this period cars.
Being (sound) geek myself, I quickly found common language with them. It’s very inspiring to meet people who live their passion.
I would like to thank to all of them for their help and engagement. Special thanks goes to Krzysiek and Grzegorz. Big thanks guys, it was great to meet you!

Most of the recording sessions I did at night. And despite the fact that it’s harder to work in the dark, I much prefer it this way. It’s much quieter, even in my fav locations which are away from traffic and other unwanted noise sources.
Also, I love recording in the late autumn / early winter. It’s dry, no crickets, birds and leaves. A bit cold sometimes, but I can live with that.

I did general coverage of quite a few cars. Below are some of them.
At first I always focus on the basic stationary engine sounds using MS rig. Later I switch to two shotguns and record all maneuvers and passes. After that I get in and record onboard sounds using 4-8 mics. And finally (when it’s very late) I record doors, trunk, brakes, gear lever and everything that produces any sound in MS.
My main trick when recording vehicles is to use two recorders – one inside the car and one with me when I record EXT maneuvers. Almost always I work alone, so after doing all basic EXT maneuvers I get in and sync them or use just the bigger one. This way I get more recordings, always something unique can happen.

So here comes the first one – FSO Warszawa 223, (Polish, 1951-1973)

It has very distinct engine sound.

After a few recordings I learned, that after the fastest passes when engine heats up, you can grab nice radiator clinks when car stops.

It was great to see these cars driving that fast, despite their age.

FSM Syrena 105L (Polish, 1957-1983) – this one has super characteristic sound.

It’s two-stroke engine, which without image could be identified as an old motorcycle.
It has very unique exhaust sound. Definitely distinctive sound of those times.

Another classic from the past – FSO Fiat 125p (Polish, 1967-1991).
Very popular years ago here.

Also very characteristic exhaust sound.

The next one is a bit similar visually, yet not aurally – VAZ Lada 1500S (Russian, 1972-1984).

Now a car for VIPs from that period GAZ Volga-24 (Russian, 1968-1985).

This car has a lot of power and majesty.

And another one for quite wealthy people at that time – Fiat 131 Mirafiori.

We treated it rough, but it was worth it.

Another reason to love those cars – they have a real and massive chromed bumpers, so you can attach your mics easily, without worries to harm it’s paint.

And one of the last cars I have recorded in 2013 – VW Transporter T3 with Boxer engine same as in the original Beetle and T1 and T2 as well. This engine worked like it was manufactured yesterday, it was all in a great shape (session was so intense that I forgot to take pictures).

For 2014 I have a few another classic cars chosen.
Can’t wait to go out and record them.

(If you liked it, you can check more sounds on my previous post here)

Last time I bought Toy Piano and a Zither.

This time I found many vintage film cameras. The one I chose was in great condition and looked pitch perfect – it’s 8mm Revere Eight Camera.

Back home I found out that it was manufactured in 1940!
It winds with different speeds and makes interesting small clicks.

Knowing I will pitch it extremely I recorded it with Sennheiser MKH 8020 and Barcus Berry contact mic. Here’s how those two mics sound:

Here are recordings done with different film speeds, with both mics mixed:

Pitched down:

Pitched up:

And pitched even lower:

Recently I found this trick in Soundminer v4 (works in both Regular and Pro versions). You can go way beyond +200% speed, using + key. Spotting to ProTools doesn’t work above 200%, but you can record it with ReWire bus.

Here are +400% samples:

After recording normal work, I found that it makes interesting noises when shaked. Here are some samples pitched up:

[Recorded on Sound Devices 702 @192k with Sennheiser MKH 8020 and Barcus Berry Plenar Wave 4000 contact mic]

I was amazed by their collection of gramophones, old radios, vintage tv sets, tape recorders etc., visiting the museum recently. They were so kind, that they lately let me record, before tourists arrive.

I picked for it Neumann KMR 81, because of its low noise level (some of the sounds were very quiet) and Barcus Berry Plenar Wave 4000 contact mic – rooms in the museum are quite reverbant, so I knew it will come handy.

There isn’t much gear working and playing any sounds, but I was curious about diversity and complexity of vintage switches, buttons and knobs. I didn’t suppose how many great recordings I will get.

However, some gramophones survived and are working, so here they are (mix of shotgun and contact mics):

And switches & buttons of old radios and gramophones:

Exhibition is ordered chronologically, which gives great image of progress.

Here are WW2 military gear switches:

And a typewriter. Once again I felt in love in contact mics:

Buttons & switches from the ’50s & ’60s radios:

And radio tuning knobs:

.

Tape recorders from the ’70s:

Radios and gramophones once again (’70s & ’80s):

TV sets from the ’60s & ’70s:

… and retro phones (did I say that I love contact mics?):

The most freaky piece of gear was a Poliphone. I’m not sure if it’s working wright, but for me it was even better:

And a pitched down version:

I must say, that I prefer oldest switches which have much more character than the present plastic stuff.

So I ended up with a decent library of sounds, recorded @ 192k. Having tracks from both mics, gives great perspective and possibilities for future layering and processing sounds.

Everyone older than 20-30 years, growing in Poland or any other country which was in communist block should be familiar with classic cars from that era. They had very distinct sound.

A year ago, working on a beautiful animated short Ziegenort I had to record one of them, one of the smallest car of that era – Fiat 126p. It appeared that it’s not that easy to find it these days. During the recording session all my memories from the childhood came back.

Its engine:

Not always working best:

Car doors (love that can resonance):

I realized than, I have to record those cars, since it will be harder and harder to get them.

After some research I found out, that there are still many fans of those cars. Last weekend I went to the Oldtimers Rally, which took place in Nowa Huta (literally means The New Steel Mill) – district of Krakow, built by the communists in the 50s. This place gave unique atmosphere to the event. I met there many super nice people, which love those cars. And of course many, many beautiful cars with a character hard to find in todays vehicles.

On big events, it’s always hard to capture good and clean sounds. I decided to record panned passes first, doing voice ident on each take. And coming back home and listening to the sounds for the first time, I realized how it was important.

So here comes the beauties (in chronological order):

Velorex (very rare, three-wheeled car, Chechoslovakia, 1950-1971):

FSO Warszawa (Poland, 1951-1973):

FSM/FSO Syrena (Poland, 1956-1983):

Trabant (East Germany, 1957-1991):

Wartburg 353 (East Germany, 1966-1988):

FSO Polski Fiat 125p (Poland, 1967-1991):

GAZ-24 Wołga (USSR, 1968-1985):

Skoda 100 (Chechoslovakia, 1969-1976):

FSM/FSO Polski Fiat 127p (1973-1975):

FSM Polski Fiat 126p (Poland, 1973-2000):

Skoda 105 (Czechoslovakia, 1976-1990):

FSO Polonez (Poland, 1978-2002):

Maybe those cars bodies are old, but their souls definitely aren’t:

And here is Citizens Militia siren:

And some speeches from that era, re-amped on it’s PA. Reality is always much more complex and interesting than processing with any plugin.

And some close miced exhausts, of FSO Syrena (as owners told me, there aren’t two of them sounding the same):

And Zastava (Yugoslavia/Poland, 1973-1983):

After long and hot hours running around cars, we took a ride in a vintage bus – Jelcz 021 (Poland, 1967-1979). It was loud yet everyone were very happy, some of us recalled early childhood:

On the event, I met many very open and nice people, willing to help and share their passion.

Great experience and I think just the beginning of my collecting sounds of vintage cars.

[recorded with: Neumann KMR 81 + KM120 MS set | Sound Devices 702]