Placed low and secure, these are the front pair. With less direct buffeting and a steadier position, they provide focus in a chaotic situation.
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Just over the Cascade Ridge, in the foothills above Ellensburg, WA, lies one of the best wind energy locations in Washington. Acres upon acres of wind turbines dot the area, soaking up the downslope wind that shoots through from Spring through Autumn, pressurized by Stampede Pass. It's harsh, arid area, receiving little more than 9 inches of rain per year. The flora that inhabits it's steep terrain and winding canyons are dominated by desert-hardy plants, from bunch grasses to wildflowers to the ever-present sagebrush.
I love the soft rush of sagebrush when wind passes through. With fine, soft leaves atop flimsy little stems that cover the stiff, twisted, gnarly main stems and branches, sagebrush resists wind just enough to whip back-and-forth to produce a turbulent, buffeting whoosh before springing back into position.
A few days ago steady winds were pouring through at 25-35 mph (21-30 knots) with gusts upwards of 49mph (42.5 knots). The magic of sagebrush-filled canyons is that while in the open stretches the sage grows in short little clumps, deep in the canyons where the wind doesn't reach bushes can grow huge, harboring all kinds of fauna from meadowlarks to sparrows to voles to deer and more. But there's a place in-between, where the steady wind doesn't quite reach but the gusts do. That's where I set my mics, inhabiting a large bush.
The front pair had strong wind protection and were placed a bit lower, with the hopes that they would receive less buffeting and yield a softer touch. The rear pair had less protection and were placed higher up, where they'd be buffeted hard and tossed back-and-forth as the branches whipped in the gusts.
Unmastered, these tracks are direct from the recorder.
In quad the result is a chaotic rear that comes into focus as the wind flows forward to the front. Like a sonic mullet: business in front, fun in the back. Unfortunately, Soundcloud doesn't support quad audio playback, just stereo, so please reach out to me if you'd like to hear the quad versions.
Blended in stereo they form a nice blustery image that really gives the feel of being in the middle of the experience.
Enjoy this 1:30 slice of two days of recording. As always, message me if you're interested in hearing more or licensing any content.
