During today’s guest lecture, we were taught by a phonographer named Jez Riley French. During the session we learnt about the recordings he does and the type of equipment he uses. I learnt about the variety of microphones he uses while he is working. These include hydrophones, which work for underwater recording, geophones (contact microphones) which are used to record seismic and tremor based activity through vibrations. We were advised that when recording in the field, it is always best to get as much audio as possible, because it gives you more to work with and ensures that you have a wider variety of sounds to choose from. Jez talked about how he often goes to an area where he plans to record beforehand, just to sit and listen, and to immerse himself in the ambience of his surroundings. He discussed work that he had done in the past, including several of his audio pieces that have been displayed at art galleries such as the Tate Modern. Another topic he spoke about was the practice of using unconventional methods to create distinctive sound. For example, when he wanted to recording the movement of a passing train, he placed a geophone on a metal fence that ran parallel with the tracks and recorded the vibrations that the train made when it passed by, creating a different take on a common sound.  Finally, the last thing I gained a more knowledgeable grasp of, was the difference between Infrasound (sound below the range of human hearing) and Ultrasound (sound above the range of human hearing), and what affect these may have on an audience.

Jez Riley French (Above)