Chris Amhaus Drift 1

Sound 5: Dripping Sewer

2009-03-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

I came across this unique sound by pure luck. As I walked up North Water Street I though this street was filled with sounds all too similar to what I'd already heard on other streets. Ina moment of frustration I pointed my mic down and away from where I was looking and was surprised to hear something new. I could hear a faint dripping sound so I held my arm still and looked where it was pointing. Water was dripping down into the sewer from a street grate.

Listen here

Sound 4: Karaoke

2009-03-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

While walking past Mo's Irish Pub on West Wisconsin Avenue I could see they were having a Karaoke night on stage. The muffled sound of singing was somewhat eerie, due to the rather off-key attempt of a song.

Listen here

Sound 3: Transformer Buzz

2009-03-22T22:29:00.000-07:00

Initially this clip was to be focused solely on the buzz of a transformer that sat next to the sidewalk outside the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery. However, after I began recording a number of distinct and clear car noises sprang up. First came the honk of a car that pulled into the parking lot next to me, then a different car door slammed as the ignition was turned.

Listen here

Sound 2: Singing Boy And Screeching Car

2009-03-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

Waiting at the stop light on East Wells Street and North Plankinton Avenue I hoped to get some idling cars at the light. I wasn't expecting the teeth-nashing inducing screech of axles from one of the cars that pulled up. Coupling with the sounds of cars was a boy waiting at the bus stop who chimed in with a song from time to time from the music player he was listening to.

Listen here

Sound 1: Cars Driving Over Bridge Treads

2009-03-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

I could hear a faint version of this sound when I began recording at the Fonzie statue. The sound of cars driving on bridges that cross over the Milwaukee River. The pattern of the bridge's grate, along with wheels traveling over it, causes a special echoey vibration. This has always been one of my favorite sounds whenever I walk through Milwaukee and I still believe this sound to be the best of the bunch from what I recorded.

Listen here

Drift 1 Strategy

2009-02-14T23:27:00.000-08:00

I've always loved wandering in urban areas. Growing up in the suburbs all my life made it a special trip for me when I managed to visit the downtown area of a city. That is why I'll be starting my drift in the downtown area of Milwaukee. I figured I could start from a well known landmark or location. That way someone could easily find it and follow the same path I did, should they have the desire to. I plan to start at the Fonzie statue just south of West Wells Street, facing West. I'll be using the dice strategy of:

1-2: left

3-4: right

5: reverse direction

6: cross street

This was simply the method that appealed the most to me. It would make the trip feel like a game of chance.

Google Map Path

2009-02-13T22:37:00.000-08:00

View Larger Map

Key:
Green/Red Marker = Start/End of path (respectively)
Blue with dot Marker = Sound included on this page
Blue without dot Marker = Additional sound recording locations

I would say the dice method of selecting a path didn't work quite as I had hoped it would. There was one time where I had to reverse direction and follow the exact same path backwards a number of throws. I also walked on the same block of Michigan Street a total of 3 times (though, not always the same side). But in some cases I would never have heard some of the sounds, that either passed my detection or were simply non-existent the first time through, had I not retraced my footsteps.