You might think that field recording is a technique used merely for adding texture to radio interviews, providing audio for nature documentaries, or aimed toward academic pursuits such as acoustics and sound design, social anthropology, etc. However, artists have been capturing on-location sounds to integrate into their own work for over a century.

Eventually, recordable tape was invented and sound effects were forever changed. Now, sound effects could be recorded anywhere and be added to film later. This allowed for more creativity and realism in shows. 

For the first time, a show could feature real sounds of a busy street, a train going by, and even whistling winds. In fact, the first field recording ever used in film was from a busy street.

In present times, recording sound effects is one of the main reasons people get into field recording. With so many people producing media of all sorts, there are tons of people looking for high-quality sound effects. If you are good at this craft there is the potential to make a lot of money selling your recordings.

One of the pioneers and most recognized names in the broadcast world was Jack Foley. Jack Foley was the first sound artist to break into the film industry, innovate sound for film, and pioneer the techniques that foley artists still use to this day.

What does ADR stands for? Automated Dialog Replacement, also referred to as “looping.” In the early days, when the dialogue replacement was first being done, each re-recorded line of dialogue used a loop of film which would play over and over again in a loop. Modern techniques use computers to loop the section which is where we get the “automated” part of ADR.