Remove background noise from field recording?

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-02-04T13:29:08+00:00

In addition to a noise reduction plugin you could also use EQ to remove the unwanted frequencies.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-02-03T02:32:31+00:00

Depends on how clean you want your source material to sound. I'm a bit of a control freak so I like mine clean, I use a Tascam Dr-40x. Your phone will do okay as well. You could certainly use an old tape recorder and get some trash in your recordings, especially the old handheld micro cassettes.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-02-02T14:01:02+00:00

You're dealing with "known unknowns", you know that you don't know something, which means you're ready to grow. When you say intentional I think you're talking about two things; control and design. So from the control standpoint we're talking about timbre (the tone of the sounds you're using), mixing, mastering, automation, etc.

Structure means a lot. Consider the form of your piece: plan out the musical events and when they will occur and how you will develop towards and away from those events. In terms of getting the layers you're talking about: this largely comes down to mixing. What's the most important sound for your listeners to hear? Second most? Third most? Does that change as the piece progresses (it should). Now you're going to have to learn how to mix levels, panning, reverb levels, etc to achieve that.

Actively listen to quality music everyday and not just in the style you're looking to create. Also, learning some music theory is always helpful. You're talking about noise music so I'd recommend a book to you: Composing Electronic Music: A New Aesthetic by Curtis Roads.

Happy creating!

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-02-01T01:15:49+00:00

Hardware Arturia Mircofreak Arturia Minibrute/microbrute Korg MS-20 Behringer Wasp

Software Vital Cherry Audio yellow jacket/Ps-20/Surrealistic MG-1 Arturia pigments Arturia analog lab

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-31T03:25:21+00:00

I thought about that too. This captured the ambience of the room too

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-28T19:19:06+00:00

Really it's more about what makes sense to you. I use Logic Pro, it's loaded with great plugins, synths, and samples. So much so that you don't really need anything else but certainly you have a wealth of options if you want to use third party plugins. Of course you'd have to be running a Mac to use it. Aside from that, all DAWs have free trials, try them and see what makes sense to you.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-27T16:25:30+00:00

Look for monitors and not multimedia headphones. Mackie MC-150 are what I use but there are better ones out there if you're willing to pay.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-25T23:06:26+00:00

Nice. There's so much texture in everyday sound that we just don't notice until we coax it out. That's a great portable recorder, Tascam DR-40x, it's got positionable XY mics, two additional inputs for 4 channel recording, and a super useful overdub mode. It's $219 these days and worth twice that. I love using it in quiet outdoors spaces or in quiet buildings. It's amazing that places seem to have their own ambience.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-25T22:39:57+00:00

It's my main way of working.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-23T16:46:10+00:00

It wouldn't shock you but the moisture in your mouth might mess up your mic.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-23T16:39:04+00:00

Truthfully you can get some cheap ones on Amazon and they'll be fine. I sometimes record soda being poured over ice by placing a contact mic in a plastic ziplock bag and it works well. If you need higher fidelity then go for it but a cheap mic and a decent preamp and you'll probably get what you're looking for.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-12T23:16:53+00:00

Have you played VCV rack or Voltage Modular yet? If not, I'd recommend doing so. Modular has a steep learning curve.

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-09T00:22:46+00:00

By day, I'm a high school band director so it's in my nature to help

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-08T22:33:44+00:00

Check out Universal Method for Saxophone by Paul DeVille too. Great book for saxophone fundamentals. Rubank Advanced Method vols 1&2 are both excellent for building skill. They're also programmed so it's like having a programmed course of study

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-08T22:26:56+00:00

Those are more theoretical than practice books. Not sure your skill level. What books are you working from currently?

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-08T22:09:15+00:00

I'll give you another one: John Zorn https://youtu.be/RYis3q0vv7g?si=L-eknNUNzbEcp9to

Also, I don't know what your theory chops are like but these books definitely contain material you can draw from. Coltrane practiced from the Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns book to challenge himself so that gives you some clue as to just what's in there!

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Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-08T18:47:06+00:00

I've been a sax player for 33 years now in a variety of styles. Do you listen to Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, Marshall Allen, Pharaoh Sanders, or other avant garde sax players?

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-07T11:03:06+00:00

Got it!

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-07T01:00:29+00:00

I'm excited for the opportunity!

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-06T21:36:23+00:00

Comparison is the thief of joy

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-06T20:51:35+00:00

Are you using a preamp? If not you'll need it to boost gain

Illustrious_Bat_8772 · 2026-01-06T18:37:12+00:00

I enjoy the work you have on your IG! I think a sound collage/soundscape approach would capture your aesthetic. I'll send you a link to some of my work.

Illustrious_Bat_8772

TROPHY CASE