Sound Ark Studios

20/12/2024

Latest upload to the sound grid: Sedge Warbler of Brady Island. An explosive little songsters and one of the mimicking superstars of the avian world.

Sedge warblers are explosive little songsters and one of the mimicking superstars of the avian world. I had the chance to spend several spring mornings on a private island on Lough Macnean, and got to

02/11/2024

Brilliant news to see this film out in the world, congratulations to all involved!

30/07/2024

Sound in nature conservation. Examples and further reading

In the growing field of "ecoacoustics,” scientists use the ocean's natural sounds to monitor the health of marine ecosystems -- and even restore them.

24/07/2024

Silent Roar by Johnny Barrington is having its Spanish premiere at on Thursday 25th of July in Palma! Delighted to have contributed to sound design and recording sound effects on location 🏄

(Catalan) Amics i amigues de Mallorca, aquesta pel·lícula en la qual he treballat s’estrena aquest dijous al festival de cinema . No us la perdeu! 🏄🏼‍♂️

(Spanish) Amigos y amigas de Mallorca, esta peli en la que trabajé se estrena en el Festival de cine este Jueves. Os la recomiendo! 🏄‍♀️

Film stills by Ali Tollervey
Festival background image by
Video by Ángel Pérez Grandi

21/07/2024

An underwater audio and video contraption i put together. Very carefully engineered: 2 Aquarian hydrophones gaffer taped to a GoPro 😎. The idea was to get a visual on potential sound sources, with fish being my ultimate goal.

I got a macro lens magnification adapter to focus on what’s right in front of the microphones. Visibility is poor in freshwater and invertebrates are small.

It looks cool but the results were mixed to poor. A net and a transparent container would a) be cheaper and b) more efficient for IDing, at least for invertebrates.

I’d love to hear suggestions or other ideas you’ve come up with to identify the weird and wonderful sounds of the underwater realm.

1 - Front view of GoPro with Aquarian Audio hydrophones stuck to sides.

2 - Back view of GoPro with Aquarian Audio hydrophones stuck to sides.

19/07/2024

With Leonid Gribanov and Dr. Chris Hails during the Wildlife Sound Recording Society members weekend at Rutland Water Nature Reserve, listening to the clicking rhythms of aquatic plants photosynthesising.

04/07/2024

The sound of bumblebees "drinking" - a quintessential summer soundscape.

The hypnotic drone of bumblebees “drinking” under an ancient beech tree, near Arney bridge in County Fermanagh. A good friend and neighbour mentioned they heard a huge hum on their dog walk down this

03/07/2024

Incredible experience working at Bristol Southmead’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit the past few weeks with filmmaker and photographer . Many thanks to Dr. and the whole team for having us. The level of professionalism and care they put in, in what is an intense environment, is beyond anything I’ve experienced 🙌

06/06/2024

and her sound team. I love this picture, taken at the opening of her exhibition “What is it That Will Last?” at Pangolin London, which runs until June 30th 2024.

Julie will be giving a talk at Kings Place tomorrow June 7th. Most of her work is in remote locations. Some is ephemeral like the Firestacks (seen behind us). This is why its a fantastic chance to experience the work and hear it from her.

There is also a beautiful publication that goes by the same name, with words by Simon Groom, Julie Brook, Alexandra Harris, Kichizaemom XV • Raku Jikinyū and Robert Macfarlane. Available from the Pangolin gallery near Kings Cross in London, or online.

From left: Xan Márquez Caneda, Julie Brook, Angel Pérez Grandi

25/04/2024

Sound memories of a tranquil place

I was lucky to visit Xinjiang back in 2011. This recording is from Tianchi Lake, situated at an altitude of 1900m above sea level. It is an alpine glacial lake surrounded by montane forests. It is als

22/04/2024

Happy (belated) World Curlew Day! Always a little late to these things. Today is Earth Day. Still, some appreciation for these wonderful waders facing huge challenges is never amiss. Here is to the Curlews and to all the charities such as Curlew Action doing their most to raise awareness.

13/03/2024

I find networking painful. HOWEVER, once you get into the groove you understand everyone is in the same boat, and it becomes quite enjoyable. Note to self: at the next occasion, just say something, whatever. There will be a response. Take it from there 🏄🏼‍♂️