Seeking a large underground space, cave, or chamber for music recording
- Thread starter Duncanswood
- Start date
pwhole
Well-known member
The Great Cave in Peak Cavern was probably the only venue me and Domee used on that cave sounds project that would be considered accessible for a cello - the rest would be far too gnarly (Winnats Head, Giants, etc.). Ironically I did some recording in The Great Cave with a group of friends way back in 1986 for part of our comm arts degree show work, but it was mostly percussion on that 'session'. But the acoustics are really good - probably better than the Vestibule as it doesn't have a big hole at one end. B² Passage off the main streamway has insane reverb, but only for vocals or very small and robust instruments - a piccolo would be cool.
As another part of my degree show work, I recorded a megaphone feeding back in Peak Cavern Gorge at night - one of those old models with the mic on a phone cable attached to the horn. By placing the mic in front of the horn you can make it squeal - but moving it back and forth changed the pitch, so you could 'play' it, to some extent. All the jackdaws kicked off, and it sounded quite good with the natural echo. No idea what the residents of Goosehill thought it was though, as I didn't tell anyone I was going to do it. Maybe they still talk in hushed tones about the mysterious Peak Cavern Banshee of 1986. I must dig that recording out.
And all this obviously gives me the opportunity for giving the album a shameless plug
https://double-w.bandcamp.com/album/the-lure-of-the-hole
Tricky Dicky
Well-known member
There are underground vaults forming part of Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Two are open to the public via guided tours and are lit with flat floors (loose material is piled up at the edges) and probably access to mains electricity. An echo (balloon pop) lasts about a minute.
Duncanswood
New member
My profound and heartfelt thanks to everyone here who has replied to my post on the topic of music recording venues underground.
I’m truly overwhelmed that so many chose to contribute suggestions and some even bothered to consider logistical issues such as access, safety, and control of the environment while recordings take place.
You UK Cavers are a special bunch of people. Thank you all so much.
Current thinking among my colleagues, all of whom are aware that recording music in obscure subterranean locations has been done before and is not new, is to record in various underground locations both natural and man made. The acoustic in a limestone cavern will sound completely different to a slate mine, same goes for a man made underground oil storage facility, a brick railway tunnel, or a concrete walled structure of some sort.
Each venue will have a story and a history, and we hope that each will provoke our tame cellist into composing or improvising unique music in response to each environment he finds himself in, be it a natural cave or an abandoned WW2 air raid shelter.
If this recording project progresses, and currently it is an ‘if’, at a certain point it would be useful to make contact with a UK caver who could advise on practical matters such as getting non-cavers into some of the places you guys know of, and keeping everyone safe.
If anyone fancies this role please do message me.
Meanwhile, Merry Christmas to all, huge thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and please keep them coming.
Best wishes,
Chris D.
I’m truly overwhelmed that so many chose to contribute suggestions and some even bothered to consider logistical issues such as access, safety, and control of the environment while recordings take place.
You UK Cavers are a special bunch of people. Thank you all so much.
Current thinking among my colleagues, all of whom are aware that recording music in obscure subterranean locations has been done before and is not new, is to record in various underground locations both natural and man made. The acoustic in a limestone cavern will sound completely different to a slate mine, same goes for a man made underground oil storage facility, a brick railway tunnel, or a concrete walled structure of some sort.
Each venue will have a story and a history, and we hope that each will provoke our tame cellist into composing or improvising unique music in response to each environment he finds himself in, be it a natural cave or an abandoned WW2 air raid shelter.
If this recording project progresses, and currently it is an ‘if’, at a certain point it would be useful to make contact with a UK caver who could advise on practical matters such as getting non-cavers into some of the places you guys know of, and keeping everyone safe.
If anyone fancies this role please do message me.
Meanwhile, Merry Christmas to all, huge thanks to everyone for all the suggestions and please keep them coming.
Best wishes,
Chris D.
Brains
Well-known member
Playing "The Tune" in Fingals Cave on the fiddle. Not the silent background you mentioned, but so atmospheric
JoshW
Well-known member
Oooh I know a large underground space in West Sussex that might do the job. DM incoming
Duncanswood
New member
Hi Josh,
Many thanks for your message – kind of you to get in touch.
The Sussex based recording company has pretty much shut down now for the Christmas period but my guess is that they would probably like to do a demonstration or ‘proof of concept’ recording somewhere underground and relatively local if possible before advancing with the bigger project and flying their superstar cello soloist over from his home in Canada.
The chamber you kindly sent me a picture of looks intriguing but I am not sure if any musician would be comfortable hopping over a fence and abseiling. That stated, I would love to know a little more about it (size, construction, acoustic, etc) if you have time.
If you know of anywhere which might suit, is relatively local (East or West Sussex, Kent) as well as accessible then I would be very grateful if you would let me know.
I am pretty sure I could find a local cellist from a music group who would be able to play a tune or two, and I have all the lightweight portable sound recording gear required.
I found a website for a group named KURG – the Kent Underground Research Group, who claim expert knowledge of subterranean Kent, East Sussex, and South East London. Once Christmas is done and dusted I might contact them to ask if they have any suggestions as to possible locations, but if anything else come to mind please do get in touch again Josh. Thank you so much.
Best wishes, Merry Christmas,
Chris D
alanw
Well-known member
I've just had a couple of thoughts.
www.roystoncave.co.uk
Both are historical and have organised public access.
Royston Cave | Historic Visitor Attraction
Royston Cave is an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist. Some theories suggest it was used by the Knights Templars, others by King James I and the Freemasons. Visit this World famous heritage site and discover the mystery beneath Royston.
www.roystoncave.co.uk
Grime's Graves - Prehistoric Flint Mine
Visit Grime’s Graves and explore Britain’s only open Neolithic flint mine.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Both are historical and have organised public access.
Duncanswood
New member
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. Royston Cave looks to have definite possibilities as a recording venue - ease of access and I'm sure the bell shaped chamber will have a fascinating acoustic. Traffic noise may be an issue as it looks to be in the centre of Royston but well worth a look if this recording project moves forward in the New Year.I've just had a couple of thoughts.
Royston Cave | Historic Visitor Attraction
Royston Cave is an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist. Some theories suggest it was used by the Knights Templars, others by King James I and the Freemasons. Visit this World famous heritage site and discover the mystery beneath Royston.
Grime's Graves - Prehistoric Flint Mine
Visit Grime’s Graves and explore Britain’s only open Neolithic flint mine.www.english-heritage.org.uk
Both are historical and have organised public access.
Thank you so much!
Chris D.
Not too far from West Sussex is Winspit Quarry on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. It appears to be partially open to the public and contains largish tunnels and pillar and stall chambers.
I've personally not been there, but was lucky enough to have explored the nearby Tilly Whim when I was a student. The tunnels and rooms were quite spacious but I can't remember what the acoustics were like. Sadly there's no access to these mines now.
Might be worth getting in touch with the owners and possibly having a quick recce.
Duncanswood
New member
Many thanks for your contribution to my post about subterranean music recording venues. I think you make a very valid point about slate mines potentially offering the most interesting acoustics. The hard reflective surfaces should provide an abundance of sound reflections, and reflections of reflections. It could be fascinating.
I seem to recall that BBC TV used a slate mine as a location for filming the underground sequences in their ‘Edge of Darkness’ drama production.
I happen to live quite close to the Mountfield and Brightling gypsum mines here in East Sussex. I could approach British Gypsum to ask if we could visit but my guess is that the relative softness of gypsum will be nowhere near as sonically dramatic as slate.
If any abandoned slate mines come to mind please do let me know!
Many thanks, best wishes, Merry Christmas,
Chris D.
ZombieCake
Well-known member
Does it actually have to be underground? A lot of old churches will rent out their space and the acoustics there are often rather good. I've filmed and photographed quite a few classical acts in them (including cellos!).
cap n chris
Well-known member
Wookey Hole, Chamber 3. You can walk there, taking whatever instrument(s) you wish without any risk or significant effort, it has a six second reverb (which was actually written about by Clement of Alexandria in the 2nd Century AD, it was "that" noteworthy, even then... and now!) and has hosted any amount of musical renditions. In terms of sound quality and ease of access I'd be interested if you find a better site. Obviously you have to pay more than a rusty button, or dented bottle top, to visit which is why cavers wouldn't go there.
David Rose
Active member
If your ensemble can travel, the natural echo in the Salon Noir in the Grotte de Niaux in the French Pyrenees is extraordinary. It also hosts one of the most beautiful arrays of prehistoric art, and if, as some assert, this art had a religious or spiritual purpose, then the possibilities of choral accompaniment would have enhanced its impact. When I visited, our guide sang a series of notes that set up chords as they echoed round the chamber for many seconds: palaeolithic plain chant. The Niaux is also one of the few major sites that can still be visited in its original form: it's not a replica cave such as those accessible to tourists at the Chauvet or Lascaux, but the real thing.
cap n chris
Well-known member
In Slovenia at Postonja Jama there's a 10,000 seater chamber for musical renditions. Quite the thing.
cap n chris
Well-known member
And in Lanzarote, at Jameos del Agua, there's a fabulous theatre room underground which is almost completely anechoic due to the lava.
