The Surprising Sound of Factory Noise
Our world is full of two kinds of noise: natural and man-made. Factory noise is something the world didn’t hear until the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago. While electric motors, machinery whines, and plumbing swooshes may not sound like music, they can be if you listen in the right context. The whirring of machinery can become as meditative as an “ohm” chant.
A Discovery of Ambient Sound on the Road
I’ve passed the sugar refinery in Crockett, California a thousand times, but never bothered to pull off the interstate. That changed one night when I was staying in a house just a quarter-mile up the hill. I left the bedroom windows open and was mesmerized by the smooth, humming sound of the plant. The occasional train horn added interest, while the distant cars on the bridge were barely audible.
I had a great night’s sleep and woke up wishing I had recorded it.
A Perfect Night for a Recording
My opportunity came on a peaceful, still night. I set up my favorite microphones in a bedroom window, pointing north toward the factory. In the morning, I was happy to see the red light on my recorder still on.
At the studio, I listened back to the ten-hour clip. The recording was even better than my memory of that night. There’s something unique about listening to an ambience in a controlled environment. I spent hours editing out little things like dog barks and nearby insects to create a seamless, meditative experience.
More Than Just Noise
While it may not be music, this is an interesting listen. In a world with so much great music, people are increasingly craving minimalist audio. The ten-hour format, made possible by platforms like YouTube, allows listeners to use these sounds for endless purposes. A quick look at the comments reveals people using the track to get a better night’s sleep, mask the sound of noisy roommates, study, meditate, and even burn in new headphones.
This recording, along with my other electronic and natural ambience creations, has found its home on the dalesnale – Noise Ambient YouTube channel. If I find it interesting and can capture it, it goes on the channel.