Ambient Audio
The Metolius River
This is a recording of the Metolius River in Central Oregon, near the town of Sisters. The Metolius is probably one of the most beautiful spots in Oregon, though there is a lot of competition for that distinction. The recording was made using the on-board stereo condenser microphones on a Roland/Edirol R-09 digital recorder.
Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the mid-20th century felt a lot more agricultural than it does now. Many kids (including me) earned their school clothes money by working in the strawberry and bean fields. Part of the summer’s soundtrack, along with KEED and KASH radio, was the sound of the Rainbird sprinkler. I had this on my phone as the ringtone for awhile. It was fun to watch the total befuddlement of those around me whenever a call came in.