Search - Earth Sounds :: Rolling Thunder

Great sound effect c.d.

04/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've recently purchased 3 sound effect cd's and this one is by far the best. The sound is unbelievably realistic for a recording and if you have a walkman, its even better. The 'jacket' explains how this recording was done--the techniques used. One of the best things is: no music, just a great calming T-storm from start to fade-away finish. The other great feature...the price. It's worth more than that low price. I'm not sure, but I think Gordon Hempton is a expert in this area. I will be checking out more of his work."

Relaxing, realistic and immersive experience

01/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, contrary to a statement in another review, the entire 54 minute CD contains thunder. The title "Rolling Thunder" is a suitable description of what you will find: a superb binaural recording of a gentle rainstorm, underscored by a rich field of rolling, distant thunder. Though it's quiet (about the same volume as the rain), I don't know how one could miss it. Aside from the first couple cracks, the thunder is quiet enough to make listening to this CD a very relaxing and mellow experience. Towards the end, the rain subsides and is replaced by birds and running water as the thunder slowly recedes into the distance. The disc is concluded with a ghostly performance by tree frogs (?) during an evening wind-storm.The disc lists coordinates that indicate the recording location to be in Arkansas, USA.I mentioned that this was a Binaural recording. This is a technique, usually employing a carefully designed, artificial head with microphones buried in each ear, that is used to capture, on a stereo recording, the 3-dimensional sound that a human would actually hear. To fully appreciate the experience, you should use headphones, in order to keep the left and right channels from mixing with each other. In a good recording, you can close your eyes and almost point to where the sound was coming from, as if your head was in the position of the recording device. For best results, consider using good quality equipment. For headphones, try those made by Sennheiser, AKG, Grado, Etymotic Research, etc. A good quality CD player is important, too. True devotees may spend even more money and use a hi-fi amplifier designed specifically for headphones, however good headphones and a decent portable CD player (e.g. Panasonic, Phillips/Magnavox) should provide a satisfying and immersive experience at a much lower price.I'm told that matrix surround decoders (Dolby Pro-Logic (r) ? ) work well, also."

Great way to relax.

07/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD! It's completely relaxing and peaceful. Several times I've taken the headphones off to make sure it hadn't started raining outside."