“Auditory spatial awareness is a neurological reaction (conscious and unconscious) to spatial acoustics and is one information channel through which the auditory organ receives stimuli. This cognitive process transforms raw sensation into awareness by triggering an elevated state of mental and physical awareness.”

Acoustic Arenas is a found sound project by Mechlab Productions, focused on capturing the acoustic events and aural architecture that surrounds us in our modern world. Urban cacophony; natural sounds; architectural ambience; auditory snippets of life in situ: captured in stereo for your sonic explorations.

This legacy collection was captured over a six-year period in the late aughts through the early ‘eens, spanning a variety of natural and urban spaces. Looking for higher quality files? Become an Acoustic Arenas patron to access WAV versions of these field recordings and get exclusive access to new monthly recordings starting May 2023.

Nov. 14, 2005Fetal heart monitor (Hopewell, VA)MP3
Apr. 01, 2006Birds with drilling noises (Petersburg, VA)MP3
Apr. 01, 2006Studio Chatter Pt. 1 (Petersburg, VA)MP3
Apr. 01, 2006Studio Chatter Pt. 2 (Petersburg, VA)MP3
Feb. 28, 2008Bar noise (Richmond, VA)MP3
Mar. 30, 2008Children talking (Richland, WA)MP3
Mar. 30, 2008Clothes dryer noises (Richland, WA)MP3
Mar. 30, 2008Preparing dinner in the kitchen (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 01, 2008Bar noise, Shilo Inn (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 02, 2008Din from the floor of a call center Pt. 1 (Kennewick, WA)MP3
Apr. 02, 2008Din from the floor of a call center Pt. 2 (Kennewick, WA)MP3
Apr. 03, 2008A trip to the grocery store (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 03, 2008Making coffee at work (Kennewick, WA)MP3
Apr. 06, 2008Assorted house noises (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 06, 2008Clock in the living room (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 09, 2008Going out to start the car (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 09, 2008Unloading groceries from the car (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 10, 2008Traffic in the parking lot of Best Buy (Kennewick, WA)MP3
Apr. 10, 2008Birds in Columbia Park (Kennewick, WA)MP3
Apr. 10, 2008Refueling at the gas station (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 10, 2008Slow moving train and traffic (Pasco, WA)MP3
Apr. 14, 2008Truck in the early morning rain (Richland, WA)MP3
Apr. 17, 2008Birds and rain in the morning (Richland, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Harbor Steps fountain [front] (Seattle, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Harbor Steps fountain [rear] (Seattle, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Metro Rt. 4 to Downtown (Seattle, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Pike Place Market (Seattle, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Post Alley (Seattle, WA)MP3
July 05, 2010Weird Klaxon on First Hill (Seattle, WA)MP3
Aug. 10, 2010Brewing coffee (Seattle, WA)MP3
Aug. 10, 2010Unloading and reloading the dishwasher (Seattle, WA)MP3
Aug. 10, 2010Window fan (Seattle, WA)MP3
Aug. 22, 2010Erhu busker (Seattle, WA)MP3
Sept. 25, 2010Saturday Market Pt. 1 (Portland, OR)MP3
Sept. 25, 2010Saturday Market Pt. 2 (Portland, OR)MP3
June 08, 2011Cascade Park (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 08, 2011Emily’s tea kettle (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 09, 2011Mercer St. Underpass Pt. 1 (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 09, 2011Mercer St. Underpass Pt. 2 (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 09, 2011Victor Steinbrueck Park (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011Bus ride in the Downtown Transit Tunnel (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011Cal Anderson Park (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011Convention Place Station (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011International District Station (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011Pioneer Square Station (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011University St. Station (Seattle, WA)MP3
June 10, 2011Westlake Station (Seattle, WA)MP3