Buy HD audio on bandcamp: 
https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/album/sound-therapy-sessions
I am always seeking out new ways to edit, curate, and release my field recordings. Near the end of 2016 I began a series entitled "Sound Therapy Sessions" with a 13+ minute recording of rain and this definition: lengthy sonic excursions favoring tranquil moods and the interesting mixtures of related sources within a specific location, theme, or concept. The next entry was "Meltwater", featuring 25 minutes of a rural backyard slowly transforming from winter to spring. Finally, an extended soundscape of tranquil rain rounded out the series.

This new compilation merges that initial run with two other rain recordings (one from Hamtramck, MI and another from Brooklyn, NY), and a brand new track of ocean surf recorded in 2019 in San Diego, CA. Since the original version of "Tranquil Rain" was only mastered/released as an MP3, I have created a new 2020 version for this release with old recordings but in 48 K WAV.

I always hope my soundscapes not only present in clear, HD audio, but also with a scope for storytelling where a clear beginning, middle, and end are demonstrated. I want the listener to have to question if what they are hearing is really how the recordings played out or was there some editing (there is always a lot of editing, especially in these extended pieces).

Listen on good headphones. This was created and released while in quarantine. Seems like a good time to release 90 minutes of relaxing sounds. I hope this can bring you a little release and escape from the state of things. Thanks so much. <3 RJ.

Buy on Bandcamp

Sound Therapy Sessions [HD Field Recordings for Sleep & Relaxation]

A compilation of field recordings with an emphasis on the more tranquil, relaxing sounds of water, rain, and beyond. All recordings were made on handheld Tascam/Zoom audio recorders in either Southeast Michigan or New York City (click on a specific track for more info). Album artwork is a photo of a field recording expedition on Belle Isle, Detroit, MI. Headphones recommended, be sure to have your streaming quality set to "High" and enjoy!

Relaxing Nature Sounds for Sleep, Meditation, Yoga, Study (HD Field Recordings)

This playlist compiles the three sections of "24 Minutes of Tranquil Rain and Thunder" for you listening enjoyment. This sound collage takes several storms and blends them into one long trip. Recordings made near Romeo Michigan with handheld microphones at audiophile quality, although this has been converted down to save space. Enjoy on headphones! 
You can purchase HD rain recordings by myself here:
https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/album/reservoir

Tranquil Rain & Thunder [Field Recordings for Sleep Relaxation Meditation Yoga]

RESERVOIR: An extended supply of water-based sound collages. Built from original HD field recordings compiled between 2012-2020, this LP travels around the U.S. and presents nature sounds ranging from thunderstorms to beaver dams. Many of the core recordings for a few of these soundscapes were released in abridged form a few years back, but have all been extended with never-before-released sounds.

Besides the hydrophone survey of "San Diego Underwater", each track is over 8 minutes in length and rewards deep listening as the layers of audiophile sound unravel. All sounds were recorded in lossless quality and the WAV format for downloads is highly recommended.

Both the digital release and the DELUXE version come with a bonus folder of brand new images focusing on shorelines and behind the scenes shots of field recording treks. There will also be an audio bonus. Both will be emailed out to everyone (As long as the email attached to your bandcamp account & order is correct, this is where I will send the bonuses!).

Be sure to check out the DELUXE version which comes with cool, limited merch. Not only does $22 get you a hand-numbered CD and two small art prints in plastic cases, you also literally get a little bit of the beach. That's 1oz of beach to be exact: a glass vial of Atlantic ocean water, with a little bit of sand and small stones. Only 10 of these sets will be made!

Buy HD on Bandcamp

RESERVOIR [LP of HD Water-based Field Recordings]

As I enter 2016 I find myself gearing more and more of my field recording work towards the concept of sound maps. I tend to focus on one geographic location at a time, collecting as much sonic diversity from an area as possible. I then sift through all the material, editing the most interesting parts and mixing them into one cohesive journey. Typically I begin with 1-3 hours of sounds before mixing them down into one, dense 8-15 minute suite. 

Based near Detroit, MI, USA, many of these maps will focus on places in South East Michigan. A majority of my recordings are made on a handheld Tascam DR-07 with additional takes on a Crown SASS stereo mic. 

Experimental Sound Mapping [original field recordings]

Created and released over a 2.5 year span in 2013-2016 - The Immersive Atmosphere Trilogy combines three unique mixes into one 3+ hour journey. The series moves through three very specific environments, designed to compliment one another yet still retain their own respective qualities and hues. The listener begins by plunging to the deepest waters on Earth in the deep ambient 90 minute odyssey "5,000 Fathoms...". Next, the setting moves to the scorched lands and widescreen skies of North America with the warmer, neo-classical influenced "Last Glowing Embers". And finally, the journey concludes ten light-years from our solar system with a soundtrack of dark ambient and drone. 

Throughout the 3+ hours, Stefanski displays a wide ranging appreciation for ambient composers from all spectrums and eras. Further connecting the pieces is the constant interweaving of layer after layer of original field recordings, captured mostly around Detroit, MI.
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DEC. 2013: 5,000 Fathoms to the Bottom of the Ocean
FEELS LIKE: Slowly sinking to the bottom of the frigid, impossibly black depths of the sea.
NOTABLE ARTISTS & TRACKS: Brian Eno "Deep Blue Day", Gas "Pop #5", Loscil "Rye Fields".
NOTABLE FIELD RECORDING: Sampled recordings of humpback whale communcation & scuba breathing underwater.

MAY 2014: Last Glowing Embers (the bliss out Vol. 21)
FEELS LIKE: Staring out at the grand canyon, staring up at the stars, retreating into oneself. 
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Biosphere "The Seal and the Hydrophone", Windy & Carl "Antarctica", Sigur Ros "Staralflur".
NOTABLE FIELD RECORDINGS: Waves, passing trains and more captured with new HD stereo mic, interviewing niece, nephew, and neighbor for dialogue.

FEB 2016: Crater Mapping: Exoplanet Terrain Atlas
FEELS LIKE: Surveying a dark, hostile alien landscape trillions of miles from Earth.
NOTABLE ARTISTS: Deepchord "Ocean of Emptiness", Vladislav Delay "Viisari", Burial "Forgive" 
NOTABLE FIELD RECORDINGS: All original field recordings heavily processed to sound alien-like, NASA electromagnetic vibration recordings from space used throughout.

Immersive Atmosphere Trilogy [3.5 hr suite of experimental ambient mixes by R.J. Stefanski]

A regularly updated hub for a unique series of mixes edited live & on the fly from R.J. Stefanski. These projects will blend everything from classic ambient and IDM to more experimental sounds - all layered in a psychedelic haze with original field recordings. Stay tuned.

Live Transmissions [Experimental Soundscape Sets Recorded Live]

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
- - - - - - - - - 
This project takes my field recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.
How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set.

20 X 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]

In May 2019 I spent just over a week hiking and exploring San Diego. I took my collection of microphones (including a newly purchased hydrophone). The result was hours of sounds, trimmed down to the best 60 minutes or so for The San Diego Tapes (SDT) - split into three mini EPs.

This first installment is based on a number of recordings taken around Balboa Park. Headphones highly recommended.

SAN DIEGO TAPES EP_001: Balboa Park & Beyond [HD WAV Field Recordings]

The second EP from the San Diego Tapes features a number of recordings from La Jolla Cove (with two additional takes, one from the Botanical Garden of Balboa Park and another from a large fountain near downtown's convention center). All together you get just under a 20 minute high-def audio tour of some of San Diego's most notable destinations. Like EP001 I took one signature sound (here the bark of sea lions), cut it into two small pieces, and used them as intro/outros to give the overall piece a circular feel. Inbetween you will find (literally) different worlds of sound, ranging from creepy underwater recordings to classic waves crashing on the beach. Enjoy on good headphones and be sure to check out the first EP which focused on Balboa Park.

SAN DIEGO TAPES EP_002: La Jolla Cove & Beyond [HD WAV Field Recordings]

On Friday October 15th I was fortunate enough to be invited by The Detroit I Love / Spot Lite Detroit to curate and perform an ambient experience on their alley. In addition to newly composed mixes and original video projections, I DJed for just over four hours in one of Spot Lite's unique concrete patio caves (the first ever performance in this part of the venue!).  For the set, I mixed a number of new ambient favorites into classic chill out and IDM, all while mixing in a constant stream of field recordings and found sounds. This mix represents the first hour of that set - headphones recommended. Special thanks to Steven Reaume, Tyler Yglesias, Mike (the Agent X) Clark, DJ Holographic, Audio Rescue Team, and Spot Lite Detroit.

Tracklisting:
-(intro) audio clips of survivors of the Great Depression / Christopher Bissonette "Comfortable Expectations"
-1. Woob "Odonna"
-2. Xela "The Only Rose" (Inspired by Harold Budd)
-3. Bibio "Phantomworks pt 2"
-4. Rafael Anton Irisarri "Passage"
-5. Ash Ra Temple "Echo Waves"
-6. Panda Bear "Search for Delicious"
-7. Keith Fullerton Whitman "Modena" (with Pink Floyd "On the Run")
-8. Autechre "Yulquen-Iro"
-9. Cluster & Eno "Ho Renomo"
-10. Oneohtrix Point Never "Blue Drive"

Live from Spot Lite Detroit (Part One) [Ambient Alley Experience]

Archival Ambiance Pt. I - Michigan (recordings made during the first two weeks of August in 2020).

Watershed Preserve Pond Deck Ambiance:
This soundscape was captured at the Addison Township Watershed Preserve, located in a remote part of rural southeast Michigan. This 229 acre nature preserve features four kettle lakes, wetlands, and hiking trails that snake through the forest and meadows. The Zoom H6 recorder was set on a wooden dock that ran out into a secluded pond. This allowed it to capture those quiet yet clear & crisp laps of water and rising bubbles in the closer edges of the deep soundfield. Filling out the rest of the frame are a variety of birds including morning doves and crows to name a few, crickets, flies/bees, and more to be discovered with a good pair of headphones. No editing besides fade in/out, and doubling the track for increased volume. Maintained and presented as an HD 96k WAV file.

All sounds and images property of R.J. Stefanski. (2021)

Archival Ambiance

Watershed Preserve: Pond Deck Ambiance (Crickets, Birds and Quiet Water Sounds) 96K WAV

Stream one of my original ambient pieces here:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/rj-stefanski-sepia-memory-bank
Stream one of my relaxing rain recordings here:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/r-j-stefanski-20-x-2-05-romeo
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Both the longest and most comprehensive mix I have edited together yet, "5,000 Fathoms" compiles over 40 unique ambient artists into a 90 minute underwater journey. The sounds of a harbor can be heard as you set out on a small boat and soon plunge overboard. The concept continues from there but I'll leave that for you to discover. Throughout the journey, found underwater sounds are interwoven, including actual recordings of humpback whales (not mine, referenced below) and the constant manipulation of water sounds effects (scuba breathing). Each track was specifically chosen that both worked within an ambient anthology context, as well as a nautical theme ("Deep Blue Day", "By the Harbor") or a feeling of being isolated deep underwater (Basinski, Popnoname). Plug in your headphones and enjoy. 
Tracklisting as follows:
a found sounds intro feat: waves at Belle Isle, several underwater SFX incl: scuba diving sounds / Geir Jenssen "Summit - Only Slight Breeze..." / Oneohtrix Point Never "Blue Drive" / Brian Eno "Deep Blue Day" / Stars of the Lid "January '69" / Aphex Twin "Ropes" / Burial "In McDonalds" / Donnacha Costelo "Dry Retch" / Gas "Pop #5" / Deathprod "Cloudchamber" / Biosphere "Fast Atoms Escape" / Atrium Carceri "The Expedition" / Bvdub "Your Loyalty Lies Long Forgotten" / Tim Hecker "October (Part I)" / Markus Guentner "Chrom" / The Sight Below "Nowhere" / R.J. Stefanski "Summer Crickets and Cicadas" / Blamstrain "Tundra VII" / Arms and Sleepers "By the Harbor" / Boards of Canada "Farewell Fire" / Biosphere + Deathprod "warp/warble" / William Basinski "DIP 2.1" / Three Legged Race "Butter Colored Hallway" / Casino Versus Japan "Names on Maps.. Pt. 5" / Marconi Union "A Temporary Life" / Markus Guentner "Wanderung" / Triola "Leuchtturm" / Segue "Vapour Trails" / Yagya "Snowflake 10" / Kaito "Awakening (Beatless)" / Popnoname "Hafen" / Rene Hell "Untitled Solo Piece 4" / Riceboy Sleeps "Howl" / All "Logopedie 99" / Seefeel "Signals" / Loscil "Rye Fields" / Biosphere "Green Reflections" / Oliver Messiaen "Oraison" / Philip Jeck "Pax" / Plastikman "Drp" / Jurgen Muller "Coral Fantasy" / Ulf Lohman "Audrey" / Tim Hecker "Borderlands" / Casino Versus Japan "Slobid Bell Wave" / Blanck Mass "Weakling Flyer" / Casino Versus Japan "Ships Without Names" / Sigur Ros "Fjogur Piano" / Bibio "Cherry Blossom Road" & "Bewley in Red" / a found sounds outro feat. OPN "Blue Drive" 
"Sounds and Songs of the Humpback Whale" is sampled a few times throughout and can be bought here: http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-Songs-Humpback-Gentle-Persuasion/dp/B000021YJV
Spj Music, 1992.

5,000 Fathoms to the Bottom of the Ocean [Extended 90 Min. Deep Ambient Mix / 40+ artists]

Last Glowing Embers: a new journey into experimental ambient soundscape:
Unlike the clearly nautical "5,000 Fathoms..." or the nature documentary context of "Buried Reefs", this project has a much more open-ended disposition, lending itself to any listening environment you choose (of course headphones recommended for the 1st listen). With no set narrative to focus attention to, I instead dove inwards, burying layer after layer of sound (samples and my own found sound) into thick atmospheres before dissolving into the next movement (the continuous 49 minute piece is designed to slowly transform from one moment to the next, blurring the vanishing point of where any particular sample ends or begins).  There are moments that veer closer to classical music than previous work, while other sections neatly summarize several sounds I have chased in the past. Ranging from subliminal to loud-and-clear, nearly every moment of the runtime contains field recordings captured on either a new Tascam hand-held device or a Crown P-SASS stereo mic (this is noticeable from the opening seconds as a stone skips from the left to right side of the mix). In a lot of ways I feel this project represents the culmination of a lot of hours spent editing ambient music over the past few years, slowly try to find my own voice in skewing together the voices of others. LGE resists easy categorization in the oftentimes stale world of ambient music, especially that aimed towards sleeping or meditation. This project has been edited for nearly 3 months towards lulling the listener into a false sense of calm before disrupting expectations with something like the low bass rumbles of Windy and Carl's "Antarctica" or the loud scrapes of gregorian chanting in Amp's piece. Put on your headphones and enjoy, I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Tracklisting presented as outline, divided into 3 parts or movements:
part I.
a found sounds intro featuring several of my own recordings / Chris Watson "Vatnajokull" / Brian Eno "An Ending (Ascent)" / Sigur Ros "Staralflur" / Christopher Bissonnette "Comfortable Expectations" / Biosphere "The Seal and the Hydrophone v.1" (this sample repeats in slightly different variations throughout the mix) / Eluvium "We Say Goodbye to Ourselves" / Windy & Carl "Antarctica" 
part II.
Diatonis "Persistence of Time" / Daniel Kobialka "Blue Spirals" / Thomas Fehlmann "Treatment" / Oneohtrix Point Never "Sand Partina" / The Seven Fields of Aphelion "Fever Sleep" 
part III.
Arvo Part "Speigel im spiegel" (performed by Angele Dubeau & La Pieta) / Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, Panaiotis "Lear" / Amp "Receive" / Taylor Deupree "Snow/Sand" / Glitterbug "Into the Light"
part IV.
Ulf Lohmann "Sicht" / Sigur Ros "Staralflur" / Brian Eno "An Ending (Ascent)" / Chris Watson "Vatnajokull" / Biosphere "The Seal and the Hydrophone v.1" / 


Last Glowing Embers [Experimental Mix of Ambient / Found Sound / Neo Classical / Drone]

Download only available thru bandcamp: https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/

Headphones Recommended - 
Although I have previously uploaded soundscapes of rain and thunder, this is the first to be presented in audiophile 96 kHz / 24 bit clarity, recorded by both my Tascam DR-07 and a stereo Crown Sass microphone for select sections. This track consists of roughly 10 separate recordings from different locations in Michigan, USA, all chopped up across 16 different channels and is meant to have a clear beginning, peak/middle, and resolution. Most of these storms occurred in summer of 2014.

Precursor EP

Midsummer Thunderstorm [Audiophile WAV] Ambient Rain Sounds Sleep Relaxation Yoga

R.J. Stefanski - 24 Minutes of Tranquil Rain and Thunder (Pt One)
Be sure to listen to the other two parts:
Part Two: https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/24-mins-of-tranquil-rain-thunder-pt-twofield-recordings-for-sleep-relaxation
Part Three: https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/24-mins-of-tranquil-rain-thunder-pt-threefield-recordings-for-sleep-or-relaxation

An Extended Field Recording Collage - 
a tool for relaxation, meditation, yoga, sleep, studying, daydreaming and more.

Continuing my recent trend of presenting field recordings in an expanded setting (the 30+ minutes of "Dark Shadows in the Periphery" along with the 14 minutes dedicated to "Green Acres"), comes the latest installment in my ongoing series of rain and thunderstorm recordings. "24 Minutes" triples the duration of my previous rain releases. With the additional room to spread out, this soundscape differentiates itself from my past uploads with a more protracted narrative arc, allowing for deeper listening and a greater variety of storm sounds. Moreso than previous edits, I tried to keep as much human interference (cars, planes, etc..) out of this  project. One thing this collage does share with older tracks like "Torrential Downpour in the City" or "Midsummer Thunderstorm", is that it is in fact a collage - about ten separate field recordings are being edited and layered for a specific effect. For this particular soundscape  I wanted there to be a long intro and outro with very little thunder and an emphasis on the calming tones of rain and water. Throughout the duration there is a wealth of various water sounds - ranging from loud drips battling against an aluminum gutter (for most of the opening seven minutes or so), to the warm splashes of a light rain falling into a puddle, to the white noise created by a blistering downpour. 
     A big part of why I typically mix a variety of storms together is to achieve a fuller depth of field so that you can hear rain that is both 8-10 feet away and 50+ feet away. I also like the ability of shaping the storm in the same way as a DJ set.
     All the recordings were made with my Tascam DR-07 MK II in the late Spring / Summer of 2015 in various locations in Southeast Michigan.

Sound Therapy Sessions

Buy WAV on Bandcamp

24 Mins Of Tranquil Rain & Thunder (Pt One) [Field Recording Sleep , Relaxation, Yoga, Meditation]

Following late 2015's "Precursor EP" comes a new release and another change in the overall presentation of my field recordings. Over the next 1-2 weeks I will be posting a trilogy of extended soundscapes that share an affinity for a specific geographic focus, occupying a psychedelic space between the more scholarly process of creating sound maps and experimental ambient music. The first installment of these experimental sound maps (which highlight three important places from around my home in Detroit, MI) is infatuated with the power and presence of the many waters of Detroit's Belle Isle Park. Unlike some sound maps which aim for a total representation of a location, these pieces have a more insular approach, opting to provide the listener with a guided tour through specific landmarks.

The scene is set with the bleached out bliss of a hot midafternoon sun on Belle Isle's sandy public beach. Children goof around a few towels over - one boy tries to trick another into saying "underwear" - while down the beach the river lightly laps at the beach, and a little further away some field crickets begin to stir.  Just past the midway point of the river a few boats pass, one lingers in the middle of the stereo field, slowly getting closer and slightly louder before turning away. The backdrop of waves and field noise (crickets and passing boats) is constantly shifting throughout the soundscape, the best remnants from several field recording expeditions. We move a little away from the shore and through open fields towards the notorious Hidden Beach. There we find a small group of people with a few dogs cooling off in the shady canal with some slowly passing fishing boats. We move further inland to the Conservatory Garden Fountain, close enough to hear the water bubble up from the pump beneath the surface. Even though we're so close to the fountain, a gardener using a weed whacker in the distance can be heard.  Our walk continues, leaving the Conservatory and heading towards a historic bell tower just in time to hear a peaceful melody. Finally we move towards the far shoreline, choosing an open field not far from the water to rest. By this point in the afternoon the field crickets have really picked up, competing in overall volume with an array of sounds including police sirens from Windsor and a huge barge which is about to pass through the river. You can hear the aging motors of the barge rattling away as the huge boat slowly passes from roughly 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock (in terms of position to the listener's stereo field).

A number of the recordings from this track were made with the Crown SASS stereo mic, complimenting the movement of passing ships from one side of the stereo field to the other. All sounds recorded and edited by RJ Stefanski in 2015.

Surrounded by Shores [Field Recorded Sound Map 1.1 | Waters of Belle Isle]

R.J. Stefanski - Midnight Trails with Late Summer Crickets, Bats, Frogs & More [Field Recorded Sound Map 1.2]

For the second installment in my series of experimental sound maps, I invite the listener to travel about an hour's drive North of our last meeting (Belle Isle, Detroit), to Romeo, MI. The bulk of the recordings for this project came from two weekends spent at my parents home in the small rural village in late August and early September 2015. When I stay at their house, I have a nightly walking routine that takes me through some of the nearby fields and woods surrounded by stars and crickets. These walks are the genesis for this sound map, as it is designed to present the listener on a guided tour solely using field recordings of a few of these excursions. 

The listener is greeted with the soft hum of a small town backyard just after sunset. It is shaping up to be a hot and muggy night as sounds begin to fill the neighborhood: a chorus of crickets two backyards away, a train's horn from much further, and then a low flying plane seems to split the sky in half. Slowly the chatter of neighbors enters the mix along with the family pet and some passing cars. As we head out from the backyard and towards the expansive athletic fields just a few blocks away, some frogs briefly appear and the variety of crickets changes as well.

Night fully descends as the sounds from the fringes of the village fade even more out of range as we reach the open fields west of town. The overhead sky is clear and bursting with stars and about a dozen low flying bats, clearly audible as they make a distinct sound which mimics that of a mouse chewing from a room away. Entering deeper woods brings us to a bizarre insect, some form of giant cricket with a rattle. Suddenly the clear skies have turned ominous, with rain slowly sneaking in before erupting into thunder. Something is not quite right in this part of the forest, as dark melodies are slowly played on an antique piano, and are soon accompanied by scattered AM radio transmissions. Just before it seems like the journey might be doomed, the trees begin to thin out and we are back in a familiar backyard. Tired and confused, the only remnants of that strange night are some hazy memories and these recordings.

All sounds recorded and edited by R.J. Stefanski 2015-2016. Including original piano composition and artwork. Use good headphones and enjoy!

Midnight Trails with Late Summer Crickets, Bats & Frogs [Field Recorded Sound Map 1.2 | Romeo, MI]

A dense, diverse and constantly evolving city within Detroit, MI, Hamtramck is also a rich tapestry of sound. The third and final chapter in this series of sound maps, "Spirits..." is a unique 9 minute cauldron of ambiance sourced from a very unique post-Industrial neighborhood. Sacred religious tones and the bustle of an urban landscape dominate the atmosphere, but allow more nuanced sources like birds, small children and distant trains to color the mix.  

Unlike the first parts from this sound map series, "Spirits of the Old World" is not designed as a realistic walk through a changing location, but moreso a surreal sound collage you might have as a dream of a real place. This particular dream sets you in one of Hamtramck's myriad of narrow alleyways, walking alone at a hazy time that could either be early morning or late afternoon. A child calls out from a balcony and you find a large gathering of pigeons high up on power lines. One side of the alley meets a park, where fields of cicadas are beginning to stir. Further through the park, a train can be heard approaching. An Islamic call to prayer carries across the whole neighborhood, echoing into a wall of church bells.  In an instant, the swarm of birds disappears over the horizon, where more prayers and bells emerge in differing forms. The dream winds to a close atop the I-75 freeway overpass, surveying ten lanes of traffic below.

All sounds recorded and edited by R.J. Stefanski in 2015 on Tascam DR-07 and Crown SASS Stereo Mic. Edited and maintained at pristine 96 kHz 24 bit WAV audio. Enjoy on good headphones.





Experimental Sound Mapping

Spirits of the Old World [Field Recorded Sound Map 1.3 | Hamtramck, MI]

R.J. Stefanski ~ Michigan Ice Storm: Winter Sleet & Freezing Rain [96 kHz 24 bit WAV HD Field Recorded Soundscape]
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Throughout my field recording experiences so far, rain and thunder have been my most prevalent sound source. Naturally these storms have tended to occur in Spring or Summer, but some unusual weather patterns have brought rain and warmer temperatures through the first half of winter 2015/16 (this has been due to a number of factors including a strong El Nino effect and global warming, causing rain to be more common than snow).

I had the chance to record a number of these more Spring-like storms as they passed through the urban setting of Hamtramck, MI and the rural Romeo, MI (in each instance I mostly used a Tascam DR-07 set up on a semi-enclosed back porch). This soundscape is comprised of winter sleet, rain, and freezing rain, with the former falling as distinct chunks of ice splintering onto the tin porch roof and the frozen sidewalk.

Besides weather sounds, I also captured a bird that did not fly South for the winter, a train calling from a little ways down the road, and a fair amount of road ambiance and passing cars (unavoidable due to some of the storms' urban setting, the recordings from Romeo feature much less low end traffic hum).
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Reminder: Like nearly all my field recording work, this is not a single, straight through take of one storm. For this project I edited and collaged together roughly 10 separate recordings totaling over one hour of winter rain and ambiance. From there I cut the material down to the best 9 minutes. 
Enjoy on good headphones and be sure to download the original WAV for the full HD file (Soundcloud does not stream at 96 kHz WAV).

Michigan Ice Storm (Winter Sleet & Freezing Rain) HD Field Recording

An eerie and desolate journey into an alien landscape, "Crater Mapping.." is R.J. Stefanski's first mix dedicated specifically to the darker realms of ambient music. Through careful track selection, avant-garde mixing techniques, and a wealth of spacey sound effects, the mood is heavy, dense, and consistently evolving. No fewer than 53 separate artists are sampled and included in just over 61 minutes, resulting in a rich tapestry where at any moment 2-3 different tracks may be blended into one monolithic drone. 

The inspiration and conceptual framework for "Crater Mapping" is a sonic representation of the process of examining the surface of an exoplanet (a planet circling a star that is not our Sun, nearest ones suspected at 5-10 light-years away). Whereas most space soundtracks have followed the 2001: A Space Odyssey model of pairing classical music with graceful images of shuttles flying through space, this project focuses on the actual dirty work of wandering around dark craters, collecting data & samples, and drawing maps. 

Beneath the primary layer of dark ambient tracks sits a pool of sound sourced from Stefanski's collection of original field recordings as well as clips from NASA's trove of electromagnetic vibration "sound" captured in space (there is a link at the bottom of this that explains how this was done). To add to the otherworldly atmosphere, any original recordings from Earth have all been dipped into a vat of liquid metal to distort their origins. Some dialogue ripped from youtube of I.S.S. communications was also added, each layer of sound carefully molded into the project over roughly 12 rough/final drafts. Use good headphones and enjoy.

Lustmord - "Heresy V" / Chris Watson - "Low Pressure, Scotland" / Deathprod - "Disc" / Raison d'Etre - "The Slow Ascent" / Boards of Canada - "Ataranchronon" / Donato Dozzy "Vaporware 2" / Zenker Brothers "Erbquake" / GY!BE "Antennas to Heaven" / Animal Collective "I See You Pan" / Eluvium "Envenom Mettle" / Jefre Cantu Ledesma - "River Like Spine" / Tim Hecker - "Studio Suicide" / Demdike Stare "Matilda's Dream" / Neel - "Life on Laputa Regio" / Burial - "Forgive" / Helm - "Sky Wax (London)" / Hands - "Beelitz pt7" / Raison D'Etre "The Slow Ascent" / Aphex Twin "Tree" / Max Richter "Infra 3" / R.J. Stefanski - "Surrounded By Shores" / Stars of the Lid - "Fucked Up (3:57 AM)" / Brian Eno - "The Secret Place" / The Field - "Cupid's Head (GAS Ambient Mix)" / Deepchord - "Ocean of Emptiness" / The Sight Below - "It All Falls Apart" / The House in the Woods - "Hulking..." / Bvdub & Loscil - "Hespiredes" / The Haxan Cloak - "Mara" / GY!BE - "Antennas..." / Ursprung - "Am Buachaille" / Blamstrain - "Night Became" / Philip Jeck - "Wholesome" / Pauline Oliveros "Nike" / Claro Intelecto - "Quiet Life" / Loscil - "Steam" / The Sight Below - " / Vladislav Delay - "Viisari" / Infinite Body - "Gardens Grew Backwards" / OPN - "Melancholy Descriptions..." / Boards of Canada - "Opening the Mouth" / Christopher Bissonette - "A touch of heartbreak" / Fennesz - "Year in a Minute" / Blanck Mass - "Dead Format (Dalhous Remix)" / The Seven Fields of Aphelion - "Cloud Forest..." / Atrium Carceri - "A Path Through Remembrance" / Taylor Deupree - "Temper" / The Mars Volta - "Cicatriz" / White Rainbow - "Sundune Sandset..." / Main - "Kaon pt II" / Oval - "Store Check" / Alva Noto - "Xerrox 2nd" / Richard Skelton - "River Song" / Gavin Byars - "Titanic... Interlude" / Robert Rich - "Ceremony" / Pink Floyd - "Saucerful of Secrets" / Chris Watson - "River Mara at Night" / Marcell Dettman - "Stranger" 

http://canyouactually.com/nasa-actually-recorded-sound-in-space-and-its-absolutely-chilling/
All space recording by NASA, all others by R.J. Stefanski.
NASA Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nasa

Crater Mapping: Atlas of an Exoplanet Terrain [Dark Ambient & Field Recording Mix w/ 50+ Artists]

Every Friday, Norway Detroit transforms the Grenadier Club into the city's premier after-hours destination: BAK DØR. Tucked down a candle lit hallway you will find RØM2, an intimate location dedicated to ambient music which hosts a number of local artists and DJs. To help commemorate the April 22nd edition of this event I recorded one of my rehearsal sets, which closes with a track from the very talented producer (and that week's headliner) Blair French. 

The set mixes classic and contemporary ambient artists, slowly fading from one segment into the next with the addition of original field recordings. If you enjoy this style of ambiance and find yourself in Detroit on a late Friday evening - come stop by.

Included Artists:
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Francis Harris "Dangerdream"
Olafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm "Three"
unsure - unsure
All "Logopedie 99"
Biosphere "Silene"
Stars of the Lid "A Lovesong +, Part 3 (For Cubs)"
unsure - unsure
Gas "Pop 5"
Dave DK "Veira" (Leandro Fresco Mix)
Fiendsh "Memoirs"
Deepchord "Ocean of Emptiness"
Pole "Rondell Zwei"
Global Communication "9:25"
Loscil "Steam"
Neel "Phobos"
Jeff Bridges "Temescal Canyon"
Blamstrain "Tundra 1"
Blair French "Silver Ink & the Rotating Sun"
all field recordings by R.J. Stefanski

Live Transmissions Vol. II: 48 min. Chill Room Mix RØM2redux

My third installment in presenting "live" mixes, recorded in one take with original field recordings and no post-editing, Vol. III focuses on dense, aquatic dub textures.

This session was taped in preparation for a July 2016 performance in Norway Detroit's chill out room with peer Jakob Harris. The mix splits the difference between the classic ambient/IDM of the early 1990s with contemporary artists who carry the torch of a revival for this strain of new age music. Stretches of musique concrete and abstract textures are occasionally disrupted with downtempo dub percussion, keeping a calm, linear forward trajectory.

Included Artists:
Diatonis
Blondes
Tim Hecker
Oneohtrix Point Never
Deepchord presents Echospace
HIA & Biosphere
Zenker Brothers
Plastikman
Global Communication
Lawrence
Fennessz
Loscil
Donato Dozzy
Aphex Twin

with original field recordings by R.J. Stefanski.

Live Transmissions Vol. III [experimental ambient dub mix recorded live for Norway Detroit]

Purchase soundscapes & recordings on bandcamp:
https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/

A new track in the Therapy series is here, 17 minutes of ocean surf:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/sound-therapy-sessions-002-relaxing-ocean-surf-relaxing-music-for-sleep-relaxation-hd-wav

After recently realizing I had yet to release any rain / thunder based recordings in 2016, I used the opportunity to begin yet another series examining the different formats available in curating, editing, and presenting original field recordings.  The Sound Therapy Sessions will feature lengthy sonic excursions favoring tranquil moods and the interesting mixtures of related sources within a specific location, theme, or concept.
-     -     -     -      -     -
STS 001: Quiet Rain, Thunder & Waves
Obviously my favorite sound to build a track with - the rain for this particular piece was recorded on April 1, 2016 in Romeo, MI. Recording nature sounds near my parents home vs. Detroit allows me to avoid as much car/airplane/etc interference as possible. I try to make sure each new thunderstorm track I put out has a different feel then the previous examples - so with this version I decided to foreground the light, relaxing white noise of a light to medium rain (as compared to my usual focus on loud thunder). Over the course of the opening 6-8 minutes there are more and more layers of simple rain mixed in, all together from four separate recordings from two storms taped on an enclosed back porch. 

Slowly the rain forms into waves that ebb and flow throughout the stereo field. These were taped later in the summer of 2016 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, MI. Around the same time a pair of boys playing and laughing on a trampoline in a Hamtramck backyard can also be heard.

Combining two soothing examples of the sound of water in nature with an extended run time and HD quality fidelity makes this track ideal for contemplative listening on good headphones. Enjoy.

All sounds, editing, and artwork by RJ Stefanski. December 2016

Sound Therapy Session 001 - Quiet Rain, Thunder & Waves [Relaxing Music for Sleep & Meditation]

Stream HD relaxing rain sounds here:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/rj-stefanski-24-mins-of-tranquil-rain-thunder-free-mp3-field-recording-for-relaxation
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/24-mins-of-tranquil-rain-thunder-pt-twofield-recordings-for-sleep-relaxation
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
A new series examining the different formats available in curating, editing, and presenting original field recordings - The Sound Therapy Sessions features lengthy sonic excursions favoring tranquil moods and the interesting mixtures of related sources within a specific location, theme, or concept. [Use good headphones & enjoy]
- - - - - - - - 
STS 002: Meltwater:  [winter soundscape feat. melting snow, birds & light rain]
The second part of this new series is centered around three lengthy recordings captured on the back porch of my parent's home in Romeo, MI on Christmas day 2016. This region normally faces a frigid winter with several feet of snow - yet on this day the temperature soared into the 50s causing a huge transformation. Nearly a foot of snow can be heard quickly melting into an infinite array of small pools and rivers in the large plot of backyard. A small number of birds that have braved the Midwestern winter also appear - flying in and out of the thick fog that hangs over the woods just beyond the edge of the property. As the afternoon unfolds, a light rain falls over the village - adding more water into the already flooded yard. These few basic elements are left to intertwine over the extended runtime and in stunning clarity for a deeply immersive listening experience.

An hour of field recordings from this porch were edited down to the best 20+ minutes, which were then layered for full volume and pruned of any wind or human interference, and as much loud passing traffic as possible. An additional layer of backyard birds was then mixed in to increase this presence in the overall soundscape. The last touch was using a brief two minute clip of boots crunching on hard packed snow (the same snow that is melted the next day) as an intro and outro for the project.

All recordings made by R.J. Stefanski with handheld Tascam DR-07 recorder, edited and maintained at 96 kHz / 24 bit WAV.

Meltwater [Sound Therapy Sessions 002] HD Soundscape of Rain, Birds & Melting Snow

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
05. Romeo Rain and Thunder [ Romeo, MI | 2017 | Tascam DR-07 ] 

This project takes my recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.  

How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set. 

-       -      -       -        -       -
All recordings, artwork, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2018. 
All recordings done on either Tascam DR-07 or Zoom H6 with attachment mics.

20X2

Romeo Rain Thunder

Romeo Rain and Thunder [HD Field Recording] Ambient Sounds for Sleep Relaxation

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
04. Bird Over My Shoulder [ Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY | 2018 | Zoom H6 ]

This project takes my recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.  

How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set. 

-       -      -       -        -       -
All recordings, artwork, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2018. 
All recordings done on either Tascam DR-07 or Zoom H6 with attachment mics.

20 X 2

Bird Over My Shoulder [HD Field Recording]

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
03. Coney Island Surf [ Brooklyn, NY | 2016 | Tascam DR-07 ]

This project takes my recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.  

How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set. 

-       -      -       -        -       -
All recordings, artwork, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2018. 
All recordings done on either Tascam DR-07 or Zoom H6 with attachment mics.

Coney Island Surf [HD Field Recording]

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
02. Back In '47 (F Train to Coney Island) [ Brooklyn, NY | 2017 | Tascam DR-07]

This project takes my recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.  

How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set. 

-       -      -       -        -       -
All recordings, artwork, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2018. 
All recordings done on either Tascam DR-07 or Zoom H6 with attachment mics.

Back In '47 (F Train To Coney Island) [HD Field Recording]

20 x 2 [Miniature Worlds for Drifting and Daydreaming]
-     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   
01. Helicopter Drone [ Brooklyn, NY | 2018 | Zoom H6 ]

This project takes my field recordings and frames them based on a few restrictions, namely that there are twenty soundscapes presented, and each is roughly kept to a length of two minutes. Editing or altering of recordings is kept to a minimum throughout, which leaves my own imprint in a few of these tracks (my voice, mic handling, footsteps, etc.. have always been removed from recordings, here they have been left in small doses for a more personal effect).
Recordings were gathered over the past few years in Brooklyn, Romeo (MI), Miami, and Ohio (Lake Erie) and run the range from natural/rural to industrial/urban.  

How to listen? I recommend with a good pair of headphones and simply letting the whole 44 minutes wash over you as immersive ambient. This allows for the feeling of being able to drift in and out of these twenty diverse worlds. This album can also be viewed as a sound effects pack for producers wanting to add interesting textures to their work, or simply for DJs looking for a unique way to start or finish a set. 

-       -      -       -        -       -
All recordings, artwork, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2018. 
All recordings done on either Tascam DR-07 or Zoom H6 with attachment mics.

Helicopter Drone [HD Field Recording] [96 k WAV]

Flying together in memory of humid foliage, through errant murmurs amongst epitaphs forgotten, is essentially the ecosystem RJ has designed for this Spa session. He collages sounds recorded during his everyday life and experiences with sensitively, binding the rumblings with the tendrils and the shimmers with the warbles. With pleasure, we present one of Hypnotic Spa's most devoted participants. Blessings for the space grown from this recording.

RJ Stefanski at Hypnotic Spa

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 001 \ TRK 002 
"Hydrophone Test at Alcazar Garden [Balboa Park, San Diego]"
May 2019 - J Riley French Hydrophone Series D & Zoom H6

Just two minutes of bubbly ambiance recorded inside the fountain at Balboa Park's beautiful Alcazar Garden. My recordings from this part of the park came from the end of my afternoon there, and I set up both my stereo mic and the hydrophone for a series of takes. Like much of my time in San Diego the weather was gorgeous and ideal for recording. Stay tuned for the rest of this EP coming this week.

San Diego Tapes

Hydrophone Test at Alcazar Garden [Balboa Park, San Diego | 96K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 001 \ TRK 003
"First Surf Before La Jolla / Pacific Ocean Waves" 
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Mic Attachment

Just shy of four minutes of intense Pacific surf. This was recorded on Shell Beach, a beautiful stretch between the famous La Jolla Cove and the Children's Pool. Pictures of this area were a large reason why I originally chose to visit San Diego.

First Surf Before La Jolla / Pacific Ocean Waves [San Diego | 96 K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 001 \ TRK 004
"Two Visions of Alcazar Garden [Hydrophone + Stereo Mic Test]"
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Mic Attachment & J. Riley French Series D Hydrophone Running Simultaneously

While I was set up on the side of this fountain in the stunning Alcazar Garden, I took a number of recordings with different mics, set-ups, and levels/effects. This particular take is actually two recordings taken at the same time by two different mics - so you get to experience the garden both from underwater in the fountain & the atmosphere of the people above, at the same time. Stay tuned as I continue to upload EP 001 this weekend and the roll-out of the next two EPs next week! As always - headphone recommended!

Two Visions of Alcazar Garden [Stereo+Hydrophone Mic Test | Balboa Park | 96K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 001 \ TRK 005
"Balboa Water Rush"
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Attachment

Wandering around Balboa Park I found a number of fountains and other water features, like this small spout built into the sidewalk. Just three plus minutes of simple, relaxing watery white noise. Stay tuned for the last tracks of EP 001!

Balboa Water Rush [San Diego | 96 K HD Field Recording of Relaxing Water]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 001 \ TRK 001
"Botanical Garden Acoustic Guitar Intro"
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Attachment

The first EP from San Diego Tapes is bookended with two short clips of a street performer playing an acoustic guitar outside of Balboa's Botanical Garden. This is the intro, featuring some crowd chatter (in a few languages) and ambiance (this was recorded on Cinco de Mayo so it was a busy afternoon for the park), footsteps, and some beautiful classical guitar. I wish the wind had allowed me to record more of this. Stay tuned for the rest of the release of SDT EP 001 this week and the roll out of the other EPs soon.

Botanical Garden Acoustic Guitar Intro [Balboa Park, San Diego | 96K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 002 \ TRK 001
"Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove (Intro)" 
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Mic Attachment

The first track from the second mini EP of the San Diego Tapes. This is a short clip from La Jolla Cove, the infamous part with lots of sunbathing Sea Lions (and a lot of annoying tourists). I hid my Zoom recorder just off the sandy part of the beach, up in the rocks to block as much wind as possible. Listen on headphones and look out for the rest of EP002 this week (and the last installment coming next week).

Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove (Intro)[San Diego | 96 K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 002 \ TRK 002
"Tidal Pool Hydrohone Pt. 1 (with Seagulls)"
May 2019 - J. Riley French Series D Hydrohone (underwater mic) into Zoom H6.

The second EP from the San Diego Tapes is focused on La Jolla Cove (about a 30 min bus ride north of downtown). I spent a day wandering from Shell Beach to the famous cove with its sea lions, and ended up with lots of new recordings. 
This short hydrophone recording is from a small tidal pool in the huge rock formations on the edge of La Jolla Cove. There were lots of tiny creatures in the pool, and I'm sure you can hear some of their bizarre sounds in the mix. Listen on headphones.

Tidal Pool Hydrophone with Seagulls [La Jolla Cove | 96 K HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 002 \ TRK 003
"Second Surf Before La Jolla"
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Attachment

Like its predecessor, this is a clip of relaxing Pacific Ocean surf from the gorgeous Shell Beach near La Jolla Cove. Recorded on my standard Zoom H6 with Stereo Mic / wind screen set up. Listen on headphones and enjoy.

Second Surf Before La Jolla [San Diego | 96 K HD Field Recording for Sleep Yoga Meditation]]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 002 \ TRK 004
"Tidal Pool Hydrophone Pt. II"
May 2019 - J. Riley French Seried D Hydrohone into Zoom H6 

The second hydrophone recording from the tidal pools of San Diego's La Jolla Cove. If listening on headphones you can make out the subtle murmurs/groans of all the little creatures scraping their way around the inside of the pool. You can also hear some of the louder sounds coming from above the surface of the water.

Tidal Pool Hydrophone Pt. II [La Jolla Cove | HD Field Recording]

SAN DIEGO TAPES \ EP 002 \ TRK 005
"Walking the Botanical Garden"
May 2019 - Zoom H6 with Stereo Attachment

Leaving La Jolla for a brief moment, we return to Balboa Park but are now inside the Botanical Garden. There is a very large, echo-ey quality to the ambiance inside the space, and you can hear lots of people chatting (kids yelling) as I wander around. Streams of water can be heard coming in and out of focus, along with some bird calls. You can also hear a street performer outside of the garden playing flamenco guitar, and an additional bit of Irish styled flute coming from somewhere. Enjoy on headphones.

Walking the Botanical Garden [Balboa Park | 96 K HD Field Recording]

Stream/Purchase HD Audio:
https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/album/sound-therapy-sessions
Check out more of my relaxing wave recordings:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/soothing-waves-at-belle-isle-field-recording-96-khz-24-bit-crown-sass-stereo-mic

My third entry in the San Diego Tapes was mostly going to feature about 5 separate recordings of powerful Pacific ocean surf from the Torrey Pines beaches in  San Diego, CA.  Instead, I mixed them all into one long 17 minute track of crashing waves, and featured the soundscape in a Bandcamp release. That compilation gathered all the longer field recording works in my "Sound Therapy Sessions" program. 

All recordings were made on a Zoom H6 hand-held with the stereo mic attachment and wind screens on May 8, 2019.  The exact recording quality of the STS series varies slightly, but all are at least a WAV (not all are 96 K). This particular grouping has been maintained at 96k 24 bit WAV. Listen on good headphones. Head to bandcamp for the HD version. 

All sounds, images, and concept by R.J. Stefanski 2020

Relaxing Ocean Surf [Relaxing HD Sounds of Waves and Water for Sleep & Meditation]

Placed right in the center of upcoming LP "Reservoir" (and its longest track at nearly 12 minutes) this soundscape travels around the dirt roads of rural Michigan, exploring fields and swamps bustling with crickets, frogs, and other creatures. This extended journey compiles a few different recordings taken outside of Romeo, Michigan over the years 2012-2015. These field recordings were recently unearthed while in COVID quarantine, and were formed into this long collage designed for study, relaxation, or sampling. 

RESERVOIR - a compilation of all new extended water-based soundscapes that will be out JULY 31st 2020.

Stay tuned for the full LP on all streaming platforms, as well as a limited Bandcamp physical version which is going to contain some really cool bonuses. 

All sounds, editing, and artwork by R.J. Stefanski. Taken on Tascam handheld recorders and maintained at HD 96 k, 16 bit WAV files. Enjoy on good headphones.

RESERVOIR

Campground Swamp at Night (Romeo II) [Extended Nature Sounds Relaxation Sleep] HD Frogs & Crickets

R.J. Stefanski - 24 Minutes of Tranquil Rain and Thunder (Pt Two)
Be sure to listen to the other parts:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/sets/tranquil-rain-thunder-field

An Extended Field Recording Collage -
a tool for relaxation, meditation, yoga, sleep, studying, daydreaming and more.

Continuing my recent trend of presenting field recordings in an expanded setting (the 30+ minutes of "Dark Shadows in the Periphery" along with the 14 minutes dedicated to "Green Acres"), comes the latest installment in my ongoing series of rain and thunderstorm recordings. "24 Minutes" triples the duration of my previous rain releases. With the additional room to spread out, this soundscape differentiates itself from my past uploads with a more protracted narrative arc, allowing for deeper listening and a greater variety of storm sounds. Moreso than previous edits, I tried to keep as much human interference (cars, planes, etc..) out of this project. One thing this collage does share with older tracks like "Torrential Downpour in the City" or "Midsummer Thunderstorm", is that it is in fact a collage - about ten separate field recordings are being edited and layered for a specific effect. For this particular soundscape I wanted there to be a long intro and outro with very little thunder and an emphasis on the calming tones of rain and water. Throughout the duration there is a wealth of various water sounds - ranging from loud drips battling against an aluminum gutter (for most of the opening seven minutes or so), to the warm splashes of a light rain falling into a puddle, to the white noise created by a blistering downpour.
A big part of why I typically mix a variety of storms together is to achieve a fuller depth of field so that you can hear rain that is both 8-10 feet away and 50+ feet away. I also like the ability of shaping the storm in the same way as a DJ set.
All the recordings were made with my Tascam DR-07 MK II in the late Spring / Summer of 2015 in various locations in Southeast Michigan.

24 Mins Of Tranquil Rain & Thunder (Pt Two)[Field Recordings for Sleep Relaxation]

R.J. Stefanski - 24 Minutes of Tranquil Rain and Thunder (Pt Three)
Be sure to listen to the other parts:
https://soundcloud.com/rjsfoundsounds/sets/tranquil-rain-thunder-field

An Extended Field Recording Collage -
a tool for relaxation, meditation, yoga, sleep, studying, daydreaming and more.

Continuing my recent trend of presenting field recordings in an expanded setting (the 30+ minutes of "Dark Shadows in the Periphery" along with the 14 minutes dedicated to "Green Acres"), comes the latest installment in my ongoing series of rain and thunderstorm recordings. "24 Minutes" triples the duration of my previous rain releases. With the additional room to spread out, this soundscape differentiates itself from my past uploads with a more protracted narrative arc, allowing for deeper listening and a greater variety of storm sounds. Moreso than previous edits, I tried to keep as much human interference (cars, planes, etc..) out of this project. One thing this collage does share with older tracks like "Torrential Downpour in the City" or "Midsummer Thunderstorm", is that it is in fact a collage - about ten separate field recordings are being edited and layered for a specific effect. For this particular soundscape I wanted there to be a long intro and outro with very little thunder and an emphasis on the calming tones of rain and water. Throughout the duration there is a wealth of various water sounds - ranging from loud drips battling against an aluminum gutter (for most of the opening seven minutes or so), to the warm splashes of a light rain falling into a puddle, to the white noise created by a blistering downpour.
A big part of why I typically mix a variety of storms together is to achieve a fuller depth of field so that you can hear rain that is both 8-10 feet away and 50+ feet away. I also like the ability of shaping the storm in the same way as a DJ set.
All the recordings were made with my Tascam DR-07 MK II in the late Spring / Summer of 2015 in various locations in Southeast Michigan.

24 Mins of Tranquil Rain & Thunder (Pt Three)[Field Recordings for Sleep or Relaxation]

RESERVOIR IS OUT TOMORROW:
https://rjstefanski.bandcamp.com/album/reservoir

What better way to look ahead to the launch than with the opening soundscape -

This began as a much shorter single recording from 2014 entitled "Soothing Waves at Belle Isle". These were some of my first experiences with a high end microphone, and the Crown Sass-P Stereo mic delivered crystal clear results. For the Reservoir release, I bookended the original four minute recording with two others (not released previously) taken that same summer on Belle Isle. Please enjoy on good headphones or speakers to truly immerse yourself in the huge soundstage of watery relaxation.

Soothing Waves (Belle Isle I)[Extended Nature Sounds for Relaxation or Sleep]

Much like the first part of the Belle Isle opening ("Soothing Waves"), this collage takes one recording I released in 2014 and expands with newly unearthed sounds from the same period. The original release of "Lake Takoma Stereo Mic Test" only featured a single take from the Crown Sass microphone from the center of Belle Isle. Here, I have added the washed-out sounds of a breezy afternoon on the main beach to start us off, and conclude with several quiet minutes near the fountain inside the botanical garden (you can also hear the church bells outside). This was created with a number of microphones, including my hand-held Tascam DR-07.

Reservoir

Lake Takoma Mic Tests (Belle Isle II)[HD Field Recordings for Sleep, Yoga, Relaxing]

"Calming Waters..." mixes three different perspectives on a beaver dam in Northern Macomb county Michigan, USA for a uniquely immersive listening experience. You begin a bit further away from the actual dam (an impressive structure probably 60 feet by 12 feet, situated right off/under an old railway converted into a bike path), the rushing water is audible but quiet as other woodland sounds like crickets and birds enter the mix. As the soundscape continues, the microphone placement nears the river and the water builds to an almost white noise-level of sound, calming and powerful at the same time. At times you can also hear a bee buzz right next to the right channel (headphones recommended). This soundscape is bookended with clips of deep woods near Houghton Lake, Michigan, but is designed to play out like one straight-through recording with no editing."

This newly crafted, longer version further extends the tranquil opening and closing minutes.

Calming Waters of a Beaver Dam (Romeo I)[HD Field Recordings for Sleep, Relaxation]

We finally leave the countryside of Michigan for a new location - this time in the middle of New York City's sprawling Central Park. This soundscape takes several recordings I made in May 2016 (before actually moving to the city later that year) and molds them into a vision of some of the nature the park offers. Small streams, larger rushes of water, and plenty of chirping birds are found along the way.

Peaceful Waters Of NYC's Central Park [HD Field Recordings for Sleep or Relaxation]

In early 2013 I began working towards creating a live set which took the methods I use in making mixtapes and altered them to build soundscapes from scratch in front of an audience. The result is quite different from the standard Traktor-edited approach, allowing me to add as many layers of sound as I can manage, and using more of a natural (for me at least) visual approach to live DJ-ing. Basically I set the program on one or two basic field recordings to start the mix, and then try to keep up the pace by weaving in my own tracks, excerpts from some of my mixtapes, tracks from other artists, and a ton of my favorite sounds. It took a few tries to get the hang of it, finding the right balance between a full "ambient" sound and trying not to overdo things and wind up with a muddled mix of effects. This version is actually my 6th try at mixing on the fly, and is probably the last upload I will be doing with my old laptop and setup.
Tracklisting is close to the following:
a foundsound intro (featuring a new recording of church bells in Hamtramck) / RJ Stefanski "Summer Crickets and Cicadas" / Voices from the Lake "Iyo" / Pink Floyd "On the Run" / RJS "The Retired Cosmonaut" Side B / rain & thunderstorms / excerpt from "Mini Anthology of Ambient" (feat. Brian Eno, Biosphere, Aphex Twin, Radiohead) / Panda Bear "I'm Not" / RJS "One Last Transmission from Deep Space" / excerpt from "Anchor States" (feat. Gas, Sight Below, Stars of the Lid) / RJS "Peach Festival from a Distance" / PF "On the Run" / excerpt from "Buried Reefs" / RJS "The Retired Cosmonaut" Side A pt I / RJS "Houghton Lake Summers" / Gas "Pop #4" / Telefon Tel Aviv "I Made a Tree on the Wold" / The Field "From Here we go Sublime" / Biosphere "Fall in Fall Out" / RJS "What a Ghastly Thought" / RJS "The Retired Cosmonaut" Side A pt. II /// 
edited and mixed live by RJ Stefanski on Magic Music Maker 16. 2013.

Live Transmissions Vol. I [ambient mix edited on the fly]

Brooklyn NYC + Detroit | Message directly for inquiries about sampling recordings, bookings, collaborations, or questions | Since releasing a series of diverse mixtapes in 2011, Stefanski has slowly turned his focus to his own ambient productions, often built entirely of original field recordings. He has released a wide array of original soundscapes ranging from brief, high-def clips of thunderstorms to extended sound collages, each project sharing a hazy, psychedelic glow. Before moving to Brooklyn, Stefanski curated the chill out room for infamous Detroit after-hours rave BAK DØR. After relocating he released an LP of short field recordinged ("20 X 2"), a podcast for an experimental NYC label (Metamorph) and an album for Bivouac's "60 Minute Cities" series. His relaxing rain soundscapes are some of the most popular on soundcloud, with one clip nearing 14 million streams as of late 2020. More recently Stefanski expanded his productions with visual components, including a new website which hosts the unique travelogue "The San Diego Tapes" and photography prints for sale.

~FEEL FREE to use my field recordings/original tracks in any of your own works, I only ask you cite me as a source and please send me a link of the finished product.  MESSAGE ME for questions, I won't see questions in comments.

#ambient #fieldrecording #soundscape #relaxing #fieldrecordings #sounddesign #meditation #soundeffects #drone #yoga #studying #study #newage #experimental #audiophile #foley

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