A collection of field recordings from my travels. For recordings longer than an hour check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/georgevlad

Field Recordings

Sound effects library demos

Congo Basin Rainforest 2018

A collection of soundscapes I recorded in the Amazon rainforest in March/April 2019. Read about the expedition on my blog: https://mindful-audio.com/blog/sound-recording-amazon-rainforest-expedition

Amazon rainforest

Borneo 2020

What does it feel like to be immersed in a rainforest, far away from people and surrounded by nature? As daylight starts to fade, this experience is not necessarily a blissful or relaxing one, especially if this is your first time in the Congo basin. Long version at https://youtu.be/X-61RmPgBzA

Nightfall In The Congo Jungle

I'm deep in the Amazon rainforest, sleeping on an open platform with just a thin mosquito net between me and the jungle. The sounds of the rainforest weave into my dreams and eventually wake me up. Long version at https://youtu.be/GsZG1ggSQFw

Amazon Rainforest Waking Up

Listen to a gorgeous assortment of Bulbuls, doves, parrots, weavers, coucals etc accompanied by a constant insect chorus in this part of the Congo basin rainforest. Longer version at https://youtu.be/AZaTWtTMqrw

Calm Morning In The Rainforest

The soundscape in the Borneo rainforest is incredibly lush and varied. Most birds stop singing at night, but that's when insects and frogs take over. Longer version at https://youtu.be/HDrUq-eF_ZA

Night In The Borneo Jungle

I've taped my microphones to the sides of a tree, slightly closer to each other on one side of the trunk. They're about 20cm apart, roughly the distance between human ears.  Longer version at https://youtu.be/qJxecG7nOKY

Jungle rain - Rainforest soundscape

The sounds of the jungle lull me to sleep, weaving into my dreams and making me feel like I belong here in this landscape. Longer version at https://youtu.be/2E3Idf4Q3UU

Night in the Amazon jungle

It's a calm day at Maliau Basin in Sabah, Malaysia. The dawn chorus is a distant memory and birds seem to be calling for the sheer pleasure of it. Insects dominate the soundscape though with their loud and constant chorus. Longer version at https://youtu.be/a0ORDlC7DkM

Lazy afternoon in Borneo

Night falls in the cloud forest. Several species of frogs congregate in humid areas, from jungle lakes to the smallest puddle. Recorded in Bale Mountains NP, Ethiopia. Long version at https://youtu.be/8iYSre_njk8

Frogs croaking in the cloud forest

Thunderstorms sound absolutely fascinating in the rainforest as the microphones pick up the beautiful detail of water droplets hitting the vegetation. Longer version at https://youtu.be/MN_JT6hAyMs

Thunderstorm in the Borneo rainforest

Dawn and dusk in the Amazon rainforest are particularly lush when it comes to biophony, especially by a slow flowing river. The stark contrast between the beauty of birdsong and the shrill urgency of insect calls is never as evident. Long version at https://youtu.be/Rq6eMZyVFtk

Dusk By The River In The Amazon Rainforest

Some insects just don't care. I left out my Sennheiser rig to capture elephants feeding at a mango grove and this moth decided my blimp was the best place to hang out and make low frequency humming sounds.

Congo Basin Rainforest - Bugs Close To The Mics

The symphony of wildlife in the rainforest is more minimalistic but piercing and almost electronic. It takes a while to get accustomed to being surrounded by these sounds, but once you do it's like they've always been there. Long version at https://youtu.be/TiMJASuJmFg

Dark Night In The Amazon Rainforest

The Empress cicada starts calling as the sun sets, just as daytime birds are winding down their calls and nighttime creatures are waking up. You first hear distant ones, and it almost sounds like some industrial metal cutting process. Long version at https://youtu.be/6ZPDYlvj7MM

The weird sound of the Empress cicada

Rain is to be expected on a rainforest expedition and Costa Rica is no exception. Recording soundscapes in the rainforests and cloud forests of this beautifully green Central American country reminds me of previous jungle experiences and also teaches me a few new lessons. Longer version at https://youtu.be/03sgLm-pLSA

Costa Rica - Jungle Rain

Arabian Desert is a collection of stereo and quad soundscapes recorded on the Arabian Peninsula in the Empty Quarter, the largest expanse of sand dunes on Earth. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/arabian-desert/

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MAFX024 Arabian Desert Demo STEREO

The rainforest comes alive with sound at night. Listen to the sounds of the jungle for a few minutes and you'll notice a myriad subtle changes. Long version at https://youtu.be/5mRnCsRXwv8

Night in the rainforest

As night falls in the African savanna, the sounds of the bush become louder and more ominous. Everything changes as soon as you light the campfire. Long version at https://youtu.be/sHMq4jkKht4

A campfire in the African savanna

The eerie calls of an African scops owl in mopane woodland - South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Recorded with Zoom F6 and Lom mikroUsi Pro microphones. Listen to more recordings from the African savanna at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCRlYmmK1sqpnPimVGFNUhmt1WtYhnsZc

African Scops Owl In The Savanna

Hippos and an obnoxiously loud cicada call at dusk in the savanna. Recorded with Sony PCM A10 and Lom mikroUsi microphones. Listen to more recordings from the African savanna at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdGyXE47HzQ&list=PLCRlYmmK1sqpnPimVGFNUhmt1WtYhnsZc

Loud Cicada At South Luangwa

An unidentified creature calls at dawn in the savanna. More soundscapes from the African savanna at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCRlYmmK1sqpnPimVGFNUhmt1WtYhnsZc

Unidentified Call At Kapamba Bushcamp

Calm rain with thunder and birdsong in a forest in southern England. Long version at https://youtu.be/Mv7QM7MV8YU

Calm rain and thunder in the forest

Soft rain and loud thunder in the Surrey Hills - captured with Zoom F3 and DPA 6060 microphones. Original recording was clipped but since it was recorded in 32 bit I was able to recover the lost dynamics and add compression in post.

Thunderstorm In The Surrey Hills - Zoom F3 and 2x DPA 6060

The sound of a rainforest waking up on a rainy day is incredibly evocative. Heavy raindrops fall on leaves and vegetation all around. Long version at https://youtu.be/fRDUdndLSdE

Rainy morning in the jungle

The soundscapes are incredibly lush and beautiful in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. The dry forests on the border with Guatemala are home to immense biodiversity. Longer version at: https://youtu.be/G9f-ZkW86BM

Nature and wildlife sounds recorded in Mexico

The soundscape of the village is lush, and its acoustics are very interesting as it sits on a few hills overlooking valleys with creeks at the bottom. Longer version at https://youtu.be/KoI9vKl2qLw

Lazy afternoon in the countryside

The sounds of nature and wildlife around Mayan ruins in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Lon version at https://youtu.be/6J9p7AxxfL4

The sounds of Mayan ruins

It's a slow start to the day at Andravoahangy market in Madagascar's capital. Sellers are unwrapping their wares and laying them out in little displays in their stalls. Recorded with Sony PCM D100.

Calm day at the market in Antananarivo

Rain showers and wind gusts recorded from a stationary car. Recorded with Sony PCM D100 in wide mode at 24bit 96kHz.

Rain On Car Roof

Metal Atmosphere sfx library available at http://mindful-audio.com/metal-atmosphere/.

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX005 Metal Atmosphere Demo

4-channel recording of an old Toyota Land Cruiser driving on dirt roads. Recorded by George Vlad and Daan Hendriks in South Africa. Available at: https://mindful-audio.com/1990-land-cruiser-library/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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1990 Land Cruiser Demo

6-channel recording of a 1969 Saviem TP3 4x4 truck driving off-road on sand dunes in the desert. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/saviem-tp3-offroad/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX009 Saviem TP3 Offroad Demo

African Wild West is a collection of ambiences recorded in 2017 in Senegal. It covers a variety of environments, from tropical forest to dry savanna and from desert oasis to mangrove forest. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/african-wild-west/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX010 African Wild West Demo

Cargo Trucks is a collection multi-channel on-board recordings of heavy goods vehicles, also known as cargo trucks or lorries. Get the full library at: http://mindful-audio.com/cargo-trucks

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX011 Cargo Trucks Demo

Junk Cars is a collection of on-board multi-track recordings of old and barely-functioning cars. The first car in the library is a 1995 Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Astra with a 1.6 liter Petrol engine and a broken exhaust. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/junk-cars/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX012 Junk Cars Demo

Eerie Forest is a collection of subtle ambiences recorded at night in dense forests in the regions of Transylvania and Moldova, Romania. Available at http://mindful-audio.com/eerie-forest

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX013 Eerie Forest Demo

Manhattan Atmosphere is a collection of ambiences recorded in New York. These cover various streets in Manhattan, train stations, train rides, traffic, sirens etc. Get the library at: https://mindful-audio.com/manhattan-atmosphere

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX00A Manhattan Atmosphere Demo

Comrade Tractor is a 5-channel recording of a Universal 650M tractor, designed in Soviet era Romania and virtually unchanged since the 1960s. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/#/comrade-tractor/

Powered by a 4.8 liter Diesel engine, this beast hadn't been started since 2004. I got to drive it for an hour and all I can say is it doesn't go too fast but it growls like a tank. 

By downloading the file you agree to Mindful Audio's commercial library terms: mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX014 Comrade Tractor Demo

Human Africa is a collection of authentic ambiences recorded in rural and urban locations across various countries in Africa. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/human-africa/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

MAFX015 Human Africa demo

The 2018 Mindful Audio freebies library is live! Get it fast before I run out of bandwidth: https://mindful-audio.com/blog/2018/12/18/mindful-audio-holiday-freebies-2018

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

Free sounds!

MAFX2018 Holiday Freebies Demo

African Cloud Forest is a collection of immersive ambiences recorded in Ethiopia's montane rainforests. The library features lush dawn choruses, loud insect and frog calls, subtle nightscapes and plenty of humid forest ambience. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/african-cloud-forest/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

MAFX016 African Cloud Forest demo

African Jungle is a huge collection of unique ambiences recorded in Central Africa's Congo Basin rainforests. It features lush jungle soundscapes, loud insect choruses, elephants and other mammals calling and much more. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/african-jungle/.

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX017 African Jungle demo

Amazon Jungle is a collection of unique ambiences recorded in the Amazon rainforest on the border between Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. The library was recorded during the rainy season when birds are vocal and humidity is at its highest. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/amazon-jungle/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

MAFX018 Amazon Jungle Demo

The Holiday Freebies library is back, with 16 pristine soundscapes recorded in remote parts of the world. Get it at https://mindful-audio.com/blog/free-sounds-2019

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

MAFX2019 Holiday Freebies Demo

Calm afternoon storm recorded at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in North Eastern Borneo. Recorded with Sony PCM A10 and Lom MikroUsi mics. Listen to more recordings I made in Borneo at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCRlYmmK1sqrM_BB3xp6quofSq7fYdEPA

Borneo Rainforest - Afternoon Storm with rolling thunder

Wild Rain is a collection of rain soundscapes recorded in 4 rainforests across 3 continents. The library features rain falling on vegetation and forest floor, from sparse drops to moderate and heavy rain. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/wild-rain/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX021 Wild Rain Demo STEREO

Loud cicadas calling on a calm afternoon in the Congo basin rainforest, accompanied by other insects flying and buzzing close to the mics. Buy recordings like this one for commercial use at https://mindful-audio.com/african-jungle/

Congo Basin Rainforest - Afternoon - Loud Cicadas

Slow soundscapes from the Amazon rainforest. Longer version at  
https://youtu.be/66RWAfuKPq4

Hot Afternoon In The Amazon

African Desert is a collection of soundscapes recorded in the Namib desert. It covers a variety of locations, from sand dunes and canyons to desert pavement and rocky outcrops. Available at https://mindful-audio.com/african-desert/

Downloadable demo - all rights reserved. License agreement available at https://mindful-audio.com/eula

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MAFX022 African Desert Demo

One of my favourite soundscapes to listen to and record is that of rainforest hills. Get immersed into the complex layers of calls as the day progresses. Long version at https://youtu.be/pXi0lIfNkA0

In The Jungles Of Borneo

Field recording | Conservation | Photography
Want to license my recordings? Get in touch: https://mindful-audio.com/contact/

Enjoying the content I upload on here? Feel free to support me by:
- becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/georgevlad
- buying my sound effects libraries: http://mindful-audio.com/
- buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/georgevlad
- buying my soundscape albums: https://wildaesthesia.bandcamp.com

George Vlad

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