What’s it all about?

We are putting together a Google Earth Sound Map for the Cairngorms National Park.

The focus of the project is sound. We want you to think about your surroundings whilst walking in CNP and engage with them in a different way.

• Are there intriguing sounds created by the local community?

• Are there beautiful sounds created by natural features?

• Are there sites where you experience noises which you find troubling?

• What could the special, emblematic sound be and why do you find it fascinating?

Here is a mock-up of what the map might look like (please use Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera browsers to view).  We have already added a sound, along with image and text, to give you an idea of what we are looking for.

What will I need to do?

We want you to make a short recording(s) (60 seconds or less) of the emblematic sound(s) of CNP. If you already have recording equipment and are proficient at using it, then please do use that, as the highest quality possible is what we are looking for. If not, then you can record video footage on a smartphone and we can extract the audio from it.

Here are some tips for using smartphones:

iPhone users can use Voice Memos.

1. Open Voice Memos, hold the mobile device near the people who are speaking (remember the microphone is at the bottom of the iPhone where you speak when making a call!) and touch the red button. Touch the red button again to stop the recording. You’re best using headphones or earbuds when doing this so that you can hear what the recording is going to sound like.

2. Then play the recording back to see that you’re happy with it by touching the Play icon.

3. To send the sound, touch the three dots and select Share.

4. Then touch the icon for your preferred email app and email the sound to yourself.

5. Then, preferably on a computer, download your file from the email.

6. When you click on the UPLOAD button below, you can complete the form and then, on the last screen, upload your sound, along with any photos.

Android users can use Voice Recorder. 

1. Open Voice Recorder, hold the mobile device near the sound you want to capture (remember the microphone is at the bottom of the device where you speak when making a call!) and touch the red button. Touch the red button again to stop the recording. You’re best using headphones or earbuds when doing this so that you can hear what the recording is going to sound like.

2. Then play the recording back to see that you’re happy with it by touching the Play icon.

3. Then touch the Stop button and give your recording a name and Save it.

4. To send the sound, select it in the list by touching and holding the sound you want to send and touch Share at the bottom of the screen.

5. Then touch the icon for your preferred email app and email the sound to yourself.

6. Then, preferably on a computer, download your file from the email.

7. When you click on the UPLOAD button below, you can complete the form and then, on the last screen, upload your sound, along with any photos.