Field recordist captures humpback whale songs with immersive audio techniques

Background and context

Table of Contents

Field recording has traditionally focused on terrestrial soundscapes such as forests, cities, and weather. In recent years, however, more sound professionals have begun to treat oceans and coastlines as key locations for immersive audio work.

Composer and field recordist Thomas Rex Beverly is among those exploring these environments in depth. Known for high-resolution nature recordings, he has been working in remote marine locations to document the vocalisations of humpback whales and the broader acoustic ecology that surrounds them.

The project reflects a growing interest in detailed natural sound capture for use in film, games, virtual reality, and sound libraries. It also illustrates how techniques and tools from broadcast and live sound are being adapted for challenging outdoor and underwater conditions.

Key announcement

In a recent project, Beverly undertook an extended recording expedition focused on humpback whales, using specialized underwater microphones and high-end audio equipment from Sennheiser to capture individual calls and large-scale whale choruses.

Working from small boats and coastal positions, he deployed hydrophones at various depths to record whale songs, along with ambient ocean sounds such as waves, rain on the water surface, and distant marine life. The goal was to collect both clean, close-detail material and wider, atmospheric soundscapes suitable for immersive formats.

According to Beverly, the main technical challenges included unpredictable weather, equipment handling at sea, and balancing noise from boats and human activity with the subtlety of underwater sound. The resulting recordings aim to preserve the dynamic range and spatial character of the whales’ communication.

Sennheiser, which supported the work with recording tools typically used in professional location sound and music production, has highlighted the project as an example of how its microphones and accessories are being applied beyond traditional studio or stage environments. Further information on their recording solutions is available via the company’s official website at sennheiser.com.

Industry impact

For audio professionals, the project underlines how field recording is converging with other segments of the event and media technology industries. Techniques developed for live broadcast, documentary production, and spatial audio are increasingly relevant to remote environmental work.

These types of recordings are in demand across multiple markets, including post-production sound design, immersive experiences in museums and installations, and nature-focused content for streaming platforms. High-fidelity marine sound libraries also support scientific projects and educational applications, creating crossover opportunities for audio specialists.

Sound designers gain access to detailed and authentic marine textures.
Immersive event producers can incorporate realistic underwater soundscapes into multi-sensory experiences.
Education and conservation projects can use accurate audio to engage audiences with marine environments.

Why this matters

As immersive and spatial audio workflows become more common in events, installations, and interactive media, demand is rising for authentic, location-specific content. Projects like Beverly’s highlight the need for robust recording practices that can capture complex environments with clarity and depth.

For the wider event technology sector, this work points to future use cases where high-quality environmental recordings are integrated into live experiences. Ocean soundscapes, for example, can be deployed in themed events, dome projections, VR exhibits, and wellness-focused installations.

Beverly’s humpback whale recordings demonstrate how advances in microphones, portable recorders, and accessories are enabling sound professionals to work in increasingly demanding conditions. As these tools become more accessible, the line between traditional event audio, field recording, and environmental storytelling is likely to continue to blur, creating new opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.