Published 2015-12-29. Last modified 2025-08-12.
songs collection.
© An original composition by Mike Slinn. All rights reserved.
This song was recorded in the key of C and is probably best played at 125 BPM.
About This Song
This virtual nature soundscape was created as ambiance for an art show at a gallery that I used to co-own with artist Ellen Joseph. The recording simulates what you would hear as you walk next to a pond and pass by two groups of frogs and birds.
Audio Recordings
Thanks to Jaret Raven for working with me to extend this virtual soundscape to 10.5 minutes. He really knows how to operate Ableton Live!
GardenWalk-2025-08-12.mp3Ten years earlier, I had collected lots of stereo nature sounds for this musical project, but I only used some of the assets in the original 30-second version. The 10.5-minute version uses every stereo recording I had gathered previously, and no new recordings were required.
This is the original 30-second version:
GardenWalk_2015-12-29.mp3I sketched the topography as shown in the following image to help visualize the four sound sources and their distances from the person walking along the edge of the pond. This helped establish the automation of volume, pan, and EQ for each track.
In the above diagram, there are two trees (with birds) in the green grassy/marshy area, and there were two main collections of frogs in the blue water. The location of the crickets is not shown.
A stick person (you) is depicted at the lower left corner–you are walking counterclockwise around the pond.
This natural soundscape is what you might hear while walking through such a place.
Below is one of the actual sketches I made to show Jaret how the simulation that produces the recording would work.
Chaim Yeol and I went to Jarry Park in Montreal to make the video.
Change Log
2025-08-12
- Mike Slinn and Jaret Raven: 10-minute version.
2015-12-29
- Mike Slinn: 30-second version.
Musicians
You are welcome to perform and record this song at the speed you prefer and in the key you want.
This is copyrighted material. You can earn passive income by recording and performing this song. As it slowly becomes more popular, what is at first a trickle of royalties grows over time into something that is always providing for you.
