Environments is a series of LPs, cassettes, 8-Track cartridges and CDs created by producer and sound recordist Irving S. Teibel for Syntonic Research Inc. between 1970 and 1979. The series consists of recordings of nature sounds such as a seashore with crashing waves and a thunderstorm with falling rain. The series ignited a worldwide interest in field recordings which resulted in literally thousands of imitations being released during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (ie: "Moods", "Solitudes", etc.).

The Environments albums were the first of the many field recordings of nature sounds that became popular as a form of audio entertainment the 1970s,^[1] and they were considered definitive enough to have excerpts included on the Voyager Gold Record.^[2] The Environments series also presented some of the longest album-sides ever released.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Environments Albums 1.1 Environments 1 (1970) 1.2 Environments 2 (1970) 1.3 Environments 3 (1971) 1.4 Environments 4 (1974) 1.5 Environments 5 (1974) 1.6 Environments 6 (1974) 1.7 Environments 7 (1976) 1.8 Environments 8 (1974) 1.9 Environments 9 (1979) 1.10 Environments 10 (1979) 1.11 Environments 11 (1979) 2 Environments Cassettes 3 Environments CDs 4 Notes

[edit] Environments Albums

The original series, released by Atlantic Records, comprised 11 long-playing records (some also available in stereo cassette format) with a different environment on each side, for 22 total Environments.

[edit] Environments 1 (1970)

• Side 1: The Psychologically Ultimate Seashore (30:00)

The initial recording in the series goes back to 1968, when Teibel attempted to record some ocean waves at Brighton Beach on Coney Island "for the soundtrack of a friend's underground film"^[3]. Teibel felt unsatisfied with his results—though his Uher stereo reel-to-reel tape recorder had faithfully captured the sounds, they were unconvincing on playback. A friend of Teibel's had access to an IBM 360 computer, and he and Teibel played around with processing the recordings until eventually the two of them hit upon a series of manipulations which sounded 'more real than real.' Tests showed that the recordings were capable of improving concentration, enhancing sleep and imparting a sense of calm to the listener.

• Side 2: Optimum Aviary (30:00)

For the second side of the LP, Teibel recorded a vast number of birds in an enclosed space, like a bird exhibit at a zoo.

[edit] Environments 2 (1970)

• Side One: Tintinnabulation (30:00)

Alone among the Environments series, "Tintinnabulation" is not natural sounds at all but a series of computer-generated bell sounds playable at any speed from 16-2/3 to 78 RPM. The CD reissue opted for the 16-2/3 RPM speed.

• Side Two: Dawn at New Hope, PA (30:00)

The quintessential "field recording" with owls, crows, doves, insects, dogs and geese recorded early one morning in June 1969.

[edit] Environments 3 (1971)

• Side One: Be-In (34:00)

The sounds of a spontaneous gathering in Central Park, April 6, 1969 with strolling musicians, dancers, anti-war protesters, and fragments of conversations—the unique ambience of a bygone time and place.

• Side Two: Dusk at New Hope, PA (37:00)

A warm summer night (recorded August 1970) deep in the backwoods of Eastern Pennsylvania, surrounded by insects and the occasional distant hound.

[edit] Environments 4 (1974)

• Side One: Ultimate Thunderstorm (32:00)

One of the most-imitated nature recordings, with thunder, lightning and a torrential downpour. This one was recorded from a balcony in the city, unlike Environments 11 which was recorded outdoors in the country.

• Side Two: Gentle Rain in a Pine Forest (34:00)

This recording revealed a paradoxical effect, where low-level high-frequency sounds could make a room seem quieter than when the recording was not playing. Note: Announced inside Environments 4 but never released: Children at Play/Cocktail Party (was to be Environments 9) and Spanish Train/Cable Car (S.F.) (was to be Environments 10).

[edit] Environments 5 (1974)

• Side One: Ultimate Heartbeat (20:00)

A stethoscope heartbeat recording which can be used to calm infants, aid meditation or enhance lovemaking.

• Side Two: Wind in the Trees (34:00)

The soft rush of wind rustling the leaves of a grove in late Autumn.

[edit] Environments 6 (1974)

• Side One: Dawn in the Okefenokee Swamp (34:00)
• Side Two: Dusk in the Okefenokee Swamp (34:00)

Accessible only by airboat, Georgia's verdant wetlands are home to thousands of species both large and small, including growling alligators. Both recordings were taken at the same location, but ten hours apart.

[edit] Environments 7 (1976)

• Side One: Intonation (30:00)

A blended chorus of male & female singers intoning an "Om" chant.

• Side Two: Summer Cornfield (35:00)

The cicadas, grasshoppers and katydids of a Vermont field provide a blanket of pulsating sound, subtly enhanced by further bug sounds from an EML synthesizer.^[4]

[edit] Environments 8 (1974)

• Side One: Wood-Masted Sailboat (34:00)

Creaking boards, straining lines, and a taut canvas recorded aboard a 42-foot sloop under full sail.

• Side Two: A Country Stream (34:00)

A small meandering stream near Stockbridge MA with insects, birds and the sound of water flowing over rocks.

[edit] Environments 9 (1979)

• Side One: Pacific Ocean (30:00)

Slower and calmer than the Atlantic recordings on Environments 1, with seagulls.

• Side Two: Caribbean Lagoon (30:00)

Gently lapping waves on a white sand beach.

[edit] Environments 10 (1979)

• Side One: English Meadow (30:00)

Songbirds recorded in the Sussex countryside, near the Long Man of Wilmington chalk drawing.

• Side Two: Night in the Country (30:00)

The sound of a vast sea of insects, primarily cicadas.

[edit] Environments 11 (1979)

• Side One: Alpine Blizzard (30:00)

Howling wind and banging shutters in a ski chateau, a recording which appears to lower the temperature of whatever room it's playing in.

• Side Two: Country Thunderstorm (30:00)

A quiet afternoon of insects and birds gradually gives way to distant thunder, approaching rain squalls, and then a full-on rainstorm.

[edit] Environments Cassettes

Each cassette (marketed by Syntonic Research) is one hour, with the same program on each side (except #14).

• 1 - Slow Ocean
• 2 - Ultimate Thunderstorm
• 3 - Wood-Masted Sailboat
• 4 - (unissued)
• 5 - Night in the Country
• 6 - Caribbean Lagoon
• 7 - Country Stream
• 8 - Wind in the Trees
• 9 - Heartbeat
• 10 - Gentle Rain in a Pine Forest
• 11 - English Meadow
• 12 - Intonation
• 13 - Summer Cornfield
• 14 - Okefenokee Swamp (Dawn & Dusk)
• 15 - Country Thunderstorm
• 16 - Alpine Blizzard

[edit] Environments CDs

The compact discs (released by Atlantic Records) provide 60 minutes of material.

• 1 - Psychologically Ultimate Seashore (1987)^[5]
• 2 - Tintinnabulation (1987)^[6]
• 3 - Dawn & Dusk at New Hope, PA (1987)

[edit] Notes