Natureguy Studio Album Codes

Nature Sound Album Codes

Album Selection Guide

You might be wondering what the colored boxes and gold symbol found in our product selections indicate.

Gold Series Albums, "G": Gold CD icon

Some of the albums from Natureguy Studio have a gold CD icon next to their title. The gold icon indicates that the sounds were directly recorded in 24-bit digital stereo format, using the world's lowest noise microphones and best performing pre-amps for unprecedented realism. It doesn't mean that I sold so many CDs that they “went gold”, nor that they are physically gold in color. I began using this equipment in 2007, so not all of my albums are Gold Series. I developed my own microphone pre-amps and Analog to Digital converter using the very best components available. This level of performance was not available in field recording equipment at that time. Non Gold Series albums were recorded in 16-bit format which was the standard of excellence before 2006. Around 2016, I started using a different microphone system. I developed, as being the owner of Wildtronics, the Wildtronics SAAM (Stereo Ambient Array Microphone). The Wildtronics SAAM is the best system I have used to date to capture ambient recordings with a wonderful stereo separation and low system noise. Then, in 2020, I started using even lower noise microphones installed in the SAAM. Now, system noise is so low, I worry about the slightest breeze and distant creeks adding white noise to the remarkably low noise recordings. In future years we may develop even better microphones. Why do I need such good equipment? Recording quality nature sounds requires the lowest noise equipment possible, since outdoor sounds are often faint, distant, and sometimes a subject is close and loud. Sudden, loud sounds are easily captured at the same time as faint sounds with the high dynamic range of 24-bit technology. The result is very realistic recordings, since I can now exceed the sensitivity of the human ear. I will be adding more Gold Series albums as I record more incredible soundscapes. I have been very busy working at Wildtronics so I haven't been able to produce newer albums, but I have been busy recording. My very best recordings are yet to be released. You may of heard of 32-bit recordings. 32-bit is more about the recording device, in that one doesn't have to set a system gain. It is more for beginner recordists that have no idea of how to set gain, but it can be useful to just turn on a recorder and not have to worry about gain at all. It makes recording a lot easier for even a seasoned pro. I will use some 32-bit recorders from time to time, but haven't completely given up on 24-bit equipment that can many times outperform the 32-bit equipment.

Sound Categories:

I have developed color coded categories to help describe each album from Natureguy Studio. This will assist in selecting albums, especially if you are buying for someone else. The color-coded icons or capital letters in quotes are found in the description of the album. The categories will overlap on some albums. The most significant difference between categories is between Adventure Sounds, "A", and Relaxation Sounds, "R". If labeled as both Relaxing and Adventure, the album may have part of a track with a startling sound, but primarily be relaxing. Normally, relaxing sounds are not mixed with adventure sounds.

Walk Series Sounds, "W": This is Natureguy Studio's exclusive series of albums where proprietary recording techniques were used to create the listening pleasure of actual nature walks. Sounds change with time and as environments change just as they do when you are actually walking. No footsteps will be heard, only the sounds of nature. We have pioneered this recording technique. I feel these are the most enjoyable to listen to because the sounds change with time, unlike a static recording where you can hear one bird over and over. I find you can loop play the Walk Series recordings over and over.

Relaxation Sounds, "R": For sleep aids, meditation, and quiet backgrounds, this category has a more consistent volume without sudden loud sounds.

Adventure Sounds, "A": This category has some vibrant close-up sounds that may be unsuitable for relaxation. This is more typical of an actual outdoor experience. If you enjoy this level of realism, you would like the adventure category.

Bird Songs, "B": This category consists of stereo soundscapes rich in bird songs in a variety of habitats and regions.

Wetland Sounds, "W": These sounds are recorded near water. The sounds can be of water itself, or of wildlife associated with water.

Tinnitus Aids, "T": Tinnitus, or ringing in the inner ear, affects millions of people. This special category of sounds have had good success in the treatment and relief of Tinnitus. Read more about Tinnitus and how natural sounds can help relieve the symptoms.