Sound and vision blog

Sound and moving images from the British Library

15 August 2022

Recording of the week: Wind in yacht rigging

This week's post comes from Cheryl Tipp, Wildlife and Environmental Sounds Curator.

Photo of sailing boat masts

Wind is usually the bane of a sound recordist’s life. It can ruin an otherwise perfect recording.

Thankfully, this recording of Scotland’s Largs Harbour on an overcast September evening is only improved by the gusty weather. An eerie chiming rises from the harbour as the wind whistles through the rigging of the moored yachts. The recording was made in 'pseudo-binaural' stereo, that is to say, using two microphones either side of a carry bag.

The British Library ref. is WA 2020/004/006/018. 

Listen to the sound of the wind in yacht rigging

This is part of a small collection made by Richard Beard during a five-day sailing trip around the Inner Hebrides in September 2007. The collection also includes the sound of rain on the yacht’s plastic cockpit cover, as well as the vessel under sail.

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