My Musical Dialogues With ChatGPT - Part 1 "Field Recording"

As more and more people have been talking about this ChatGPT thing recently, and even musicians and friends (and some of our members) have caught the fever, I have decided to have a detailed look at this thing. I was – and still are – rather skeptical and there are more than only a few aspects which make me even suspicious and alert. But as ignoring is a strategy of rather limited advantages I got the idea of testing ChatGPT by leading dialogues about matters I know a lot about – music and sound.

I´m going to publish these dialogues here at irregular intervals.

 

Here is the first one. It´s about field recording.

 

Me:

Does it make sense to do field recording only as a hobby?

 

ChatGPT:

Yes, it can make sense to do field recording as a hobby. Field recording is a rewarding and enjoyable activity that can provide many benefits, regardless of whether it is pursued as a career or as a hobby.

1. Exploration and discovery: Field recording allows individuals to explore and discover new sounds and environments, which can be a fun and educational experience.

2. Creativity: Field recording provides an opportunity for individuals to be creative and experiment with sounds, which can be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

3. Relaxation: Spending time in nature and recording the sounds of the environment can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

4. Personal growth: Learning about field recording techniques, sound, and equipment can be a valuable personal growth experience.

In conclusion, field recording can be a fun and rewarding hobby, regardless of whether it is pursued as a career or as a personal interest. Whether it is used to create music, sound design, or just as a way to explore and enjoy the world of sound, field recording can provide many benefits and be a meaningful and enjoyable hobby.

 

Me:

Rewrite your answer in the style of a conversation in a pub.

 

ChatGPT:

"Hey mate, have you ever thought about taking up field recording as a hobby? It's a great way to explore and discover new sounds and environments. And, who knows, it might even spark some creativity in you.

You know, just grabbing a microphone and heading out into nature can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Plus, it's an opportunity to learn about all sorts of techniques, sounds, and equipment.

So whether you want to use it to make music, sound design, or just enjoy the world of sound, field recording can be a meaningful and enjoyable hobby. And the best part? You don't need to make a career out of it to reap the benefits.

Trust me, give it a shot. You won't regret it."

 

Me:

But it can´t be that easy! And it will need some money to spend, right?

 

ChatGPT:

"Well, sure it's not exactly a walk in the park, but it's not rocket science either. You'll need to invest in some equipment, that's for sure. But you don't have to break the bank to get started.

You can start with just a simple digital recorder and a good microphone, and then build up your gear as you go. It's all about finding a balance between the quality of your equipment and your budget.

And the great thing about field recording is that you can do it anywhere, at any time. So it's a hobby that you can do on a shoestring budget if you want to. But if you're willing to invest a bit more, you'll get better results.

So the bottom line is, you can make field recording as easy or as complicated as you want. It's up to you."

 

Me:

Hm, what about some DIY equipment? Possible?

 

ChatGPT:

"Oh definitely! In fact, a lot of field recordists love to get creative and make their own gear.

With a little bit of know-how and some basic tools, you can create your own microphones, wind protection, and other accessories. It's a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your setup.

There are tons of resources available online, from tutorials and forums to YouTube videos, that can help you get started. You'll be surprised at how much you can make on your own.

So if you're the DIY type, field recording is definitely a hobby that you'll love. You can have all the gear you need for a fraction of the cost, and have the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself."

 

Me:

But it will always stay just messing about. Nobody will be interested in what I´m doing. Who would want to listen to a recording of some old birds in the garden.

 

ChatGPT:

"Ah, don't be so sure about that! Field recording can be a lot more interesting than you might think.

Sure, you might have a recording of some birds in the garden, but what about capturing the sounds of a busy market in a foreign country, the roar of a waterfall, or the bustle of a city street?

There's a whole world of sound out there waiting to be captured, and people are fascinated by it. They love to experience different sounds and environments, and field recordings can give them that experience.

You never know, you might just capture something that really resonates with people, or find a way to manipulate and transform the sounds you've recorded into something truly unique and captivating.

So don't sell yourself short. Give it a try and see what you can come up with. You might just surprise yourself!"

 

Me:

Well. But there are thousands of recordings like this on the Internet. Most of which are even for free. Everyone can download them.

 

ChatGPT:

Ah, I see your point. But I'd argue that the beauty of field recording is in the personal connection you have with the sounds you capture. Sure, anyone can download a recording of birds chirping, but the recording you made in your own backyard holds a special place in your heart and memories. Plus, the process of capturing and editing the sounds yourself can be a creative and fulfilling hobby. And who knows, maybe someone out there will find your recording of the birds in your garden to be just what they were looking for and appreciate the care and attention you put into capturing it. So don't let the abundance of recordings out there discourage you from pursuing this hobby, it can still bring you personal joy and satisfaction!

 

Me:

 

Hm. But there won´t be money in it this way. Only expenses, even if only small ones, and no financial reward. When I play my guitar in the pub I get some free beer at least. But with field recording?

 

ChatGPT:

That's true, field recording on its own may not necessarily provide a financial reward, but it can be a fulfilling hobby regardless. Some people do use field recordings in their music and sound design projects, and may be willing to pay for high-quality recordings. Additionally, the skills and knowledge gained through field recording can be valuable and can lead to other opportunities in the music and audio industries. But at the end of the day, it's up to the individual and their motivations for pursuing field recording. If the goal is simply to have fun, enjoy the outdoors, and explore the world of sound, then financial reward may not be as important.

 

 

Here I stopped and finished the conversation. Interestingly the chatbot got quite a couple of important aspects, as you see. But it wasn´t really convincing either. I missed the aspect of, well, completeness and diversity skills and activities in the answers (learning about technique and physics, ability to plan a field recording trip, thinking of banal things like “which bag?”, investigating equipment, - being forced to get your body move and strengthen your heart – finding out if or if not you are allowed to record at certain places and more).

Anyway, interesting experience this dialogue.

In my series of videos called “Fund with Field Recording and Sound Design” (https://youtu.be/0zEyJwjr4Ic) you´ll find a more practical approach to the matter.

… to be continued

 

Enjoy your day!

Rolf

to part 2: https://www.dev.rofilm-media.net/node/536

to part 3: https://www.dev.rofilm-media.net/node/582