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Sound Xplorer

Stories, journeys, and field recordings from around the world.

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Category: Daily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 210

Posted onNovember 23, 2021November 23, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, It has been now 19 days that I stay here, almost 3 weeks. I still have 10 days more in this urban environment. Time will go fast before I leave. I truly appreciate Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 209

Posted onNovember 20, 2021November 20, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, I am continuing my little life in Las Palmas. Working on my sounds and projects. I have a few pieces of gear I am trying to acquire, it is good to have a Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 208

Posted onNovember 18, 2021November 18, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Yesterday I went to find a new AC adapter for the laptop, the current one I have is too bulky and heavy in my opinion. Hence I explored the West part of the Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 207

Posted onNovember 17, 2021November 17, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, It has been 12 days now that I am staying in Las Palmas, almost half of the duration of my stay here. I am very glad I decided to stay put for 1 Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 206

Posted onNovember 15, 2021November 15, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Another day passed by in the capital city on this island. There is not much new. I am still surprised by the cost of the food, I believe all prices have gone up Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 205

Posted onNovember 14, 2021November 14, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Yesterday I managed to visit a little more of the city from the West side, it’s going up the cliff and gives a nice panorama of the city. I found a Malay restaurant Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 204

Posted onNovember 13, 2021November 13, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, 1 week has passed in this place. I am here for 1 month to focus on the work I have to do apart from recording, which is: planning, editing, listening, mastering, metadata, communication, Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 203

Posted onNovember 11, 2021November 11, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, It has been 2 days since my latest journal entry. Each day is somewhat similar and nothing much new happens, it will be like this for the next 3 weeks, however, this city Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 202

Posted onNovember 9, 2021November 9, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Today is my 5th day at this location off of a 1-month long stay. I decided to dedicate this month to working in the box ( meaning I have a lot of projects Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 201

Posted onNovember 8, 2021November 8, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Today the sun seems to be back a little. As it is Monday more noise can be heard in the morning. I found out that many houses around here have some kind of Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 200

Posted onNovember 7, 2021November 7, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, This morning is Sunday morning, the city is quieter and birds are proudly singing from the scarce palm trees here and there. It’s a chance I have access to the rooftop of the Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 199

Posted onNovember 6, 2021November 6, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, I started my 1-month life in this place. It’s amazing to think that it is very close to Africa nestled on an island but here it feels like a metropolis of the first Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 198

Posted onNovember 5, 2021November 5, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Gran Canaria, Canary Island I arrived Yesterday at this island situated in the archipelago of the Canary. It is just next to Africa south of Morocco, but officially in the EU. These are beautiful islands. I will stay 1 month Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 197

Posted onNovember 3, 2021November 3, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Malaga, Spain, I arrived in this famous coastal town in Southern Spain. I have to admit my first impression of this city is very great. The way the city is built makes it interesting. With the sea nearby, the port Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 196

Posted onOctober 31, 2021October 31, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, My Spanish classes have now ended. It was intense and all mostly just about the verbs tenses in the past. Since it is one of the most complicated things in the Spanish language, I am happy I did Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 195

Posted onOctober 27, 2021October 27, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, 10 days in Granada have passed, and I already have hit a loss of enthusiasm. The city is fantastic and has so many great aspects, but somehow this place does not resonate with me. However, it is very Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 194

Posted onOctober 25, 2021October 25, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, Yesterday I went visiting the most famous place in Granada, the Alhambra, a complex of palaces and gardens on the nearby hill, it was partly built during the time of the Mors, and you can clearly see the Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 193

Posted onOctober 23, 2021October 23, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, my Spanish language learning is in progress, slowly but steadily. 1 week has already passed by, next week is the second week. At the same time, I am planning to do some day trips to the surroundings of Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 192

Posted onOctober 21, 2021October 21, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, I already had my third day of Spanish class. I am happy with everything, I am learning exactly what I need and making great progress. I am focused on this new language endeavor and enjoying it. I also Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 191

Posted onOctober 18, 2021October 18, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Granada, Spain, So I arrived in Granada; it was an easy drive from Alicante. It is a very interesting place here, much more in fact than any other city I have seen in Spain. Firstly it has the mountain nearby Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 190

Posted onOctober 16, 2021October 17, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Alicante, Spain, Here was another day in the city of Alicante. I met a friend we also were passing by Alicante. We did a guided tour of the city together. This is not something I do often as it is Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 189

Posted onOctober 15, 2021October 15, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Alicante, Spain, I arrived yesterday in this nice coastal city of Alicante, I took the tramway that goes along the coast which is very practical. Here the ambience is very different from Benidorm, it feels more like a real city. Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 188

Posted onOctober 13, 2021October 13, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Benidorm, Spain, Second day in Benidorm, I have mixed days between exploring and working. I understand why so many people come here as it feels very comfortable on many levels. At this time of year, the air is good and Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: 187

Posted onOctober 12, 2021October 13, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Benidorm, Spain, A first entire day in Benidorm. It is interesting to explore a typical Spanish coastal town, as it is my first time in this kind of place. At first, I found it submerged by tourists and did not Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 186

Posted onOctober 11, 2021October 11, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Benidorm, Spain, I just arrived in this city, Benidorm, near the sea, south of Valencia. First, it feels very very touristy here. But I still have to explore, see and hear by myself to put any judgment about this place. Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 185

Posted onOctober 9, 2021October 9, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Valencia, Spain, I continued exploring this city. I have to say it is a lot touristic at times especially around the historical center, and I don’t really like this part. Otherwise, it is enjoyable, and the weather is just great. Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 184

Posted onOctober 7, 2021October 7, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Valencia, Spain, I am taking back the habit of writing in this journal every morning, which is great to do. Otherwise, I can miss someday like I did in the past; it actually should be something like day 230 I Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 183

Posted onOctober 6, 2021October 6, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Valencia, Spain, Yesterday I explored around my place. I discovered this large park, el Jardin del Turio, which is said to be the largest urban park in Spain. It is in fact the old bed of the river that once Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 182

Posted onOctober 5, 2021October 5, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Valencia, Spain Yesterday I had the whole day in transportation. Taking the late bus from Perpignan, arriving in Barcelona I could glimpse the Sagrada Familia from away. Then I was supposed to have a train, but I couldn’t get it Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 181

Posted onOctober 4, 2021October 4, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Vernet-les-Bains, France, Second day in Vernet, our family town from my father, where he grew up and had family living there for few generations. I had to visit the cemetery to see my grandmother whom I had no chance to Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 180

Posted onOctober 3, 2021October 3, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Vernet-les-Bains, France, We arrived, me and my parents to Vernet-Les-Bains, a small town in the mountain of the Pyrenees, not far from Spain. This is the town of my father’s family, where he grew up. There is still the house Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 179

Posted onSeptember 30, 2021October 3, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Teyran, France, This is the last day of staying in the Montpellier area. Teyran is the village where my parents live and where I grew up. I am staying here tonight, then we will go to the Pyrenees region to Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 178

Posted onSeptember 26, 2021September 26, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, It has been few days since I have not written my journal. I visited friends and family. I went restaurant with my parents. Another day I biked to a small village to see my friend Marie and her Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 177

Posted onSeptember 22, 2021September 22, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, I had my Malay language class and Spanish class too. I have now a regular weekly habit to schedule my classes. I am happy I can learn these languages, this will come in handy at the right time. Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 176

Posted onSeptember 20, 2021September 20, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, Few days have passed already. Not much activity to report. I continued my exploration of Montpellier and met with family. I am starting to plan Africa for the beginning of 2022. I have a lot of information to Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 175

Posted onSeptember 16, 2021September 16, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, I am now halfway through my stay in Montpellier, 2 weeks spent and 2 weeks left. I feel now totally installed here, I take advantage of this month of September to renew with my origin. It’s a great Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 174

Posted onSeptember 13, 2021September 13, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, It’s been only 10 days since I arrived back in France, I am directly confronted with everything I left back 11 years ago. So after having a little dubious time period on if this move would be beneficial, Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

Journal Entry: Day 173

Posted onSeptember 12, 2021September 12, 2021AuthorStephane FufaLeave a comment

Montpellier, France, Days are passing by in this city where I was born. Though I grew up in a small village on the outskirt I spent many times as a teenager and lived here for 3 years before moving out Read More …

CategoriesDaily Journal

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About This Blog


Iโ€™m Stรฉphane Fufa Dufour, a nomadic field recordist exploring the world through sound. SoundXplorer is my journal of the places I travel, the moments I record, and the stories behind each sonic discovery.
on Soundcloud | on Facebook | on Instagram| on Youtube

Latest Blog Posts

  • Listening as a Tool to Realign Our Existence April 23, 2026
  • The Invisible Rig: Disappearing Into the Soundscape April 7, 2026
  • Journal Entry 286 February 12, 2026
  • Journal Entry 285 February 3, 2026
  • The Hidden Life of Curious Mechanisms November 26, 2025
-->ALL THE POSTS

Latest Video

Settle into the stillness of a Himalayan dawn high in the Kaudia Range of Uttarakhand, India. This immersive one-hour ambience captures the mountains waking at 2300 metres altitude, where bird calls carry across forested valleys, distant insect swarms hum softly through the landscape, and the silence of the hills is only occasionally interrupted by a faraway village dog.

Recorded from a hillside overlooking deep valleys, the natural acoustics create an extraordinary sense of depth and space as sounds travel between the mountain slopes.

[The Concept & Disclaimer]
This recording is part of my ongoing exploration of natural sound environments around the world. Unlike constructed or looped ambiences, this is a real, uninterrupted moment captured in the field. The environment was already remarkably quiet, requiring very little cleanup and preserving the realism of the location.

Personal note: I recorded this during a three-day escape into the mountains while attending a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, a brief period of quiet immersion and personal re-centering. Two years later, Iโ€™m happy to finally share it exactly as it was.

[The Audio Experience]
๐ŸŽง Headphones or surround system recommended!

This version is presented in 5.1 surround sound, offering a spacious and immersive listening experience. Distinct bird calls emerge through the morning atmosphere while layers of insects build and fade in the distance. Occasionally, a single insect passes close to the microphones, and faint sounds from the valley below subtly remind you that this is a real, living environment.

This is not a dramatic dawn chorus, but rather a slowly evolving and naturally repetitive mountain ambience with a meditative rhythm. The mix preserves the original depth, direction, and spatial perspective of the ORTF 3D recording as faithfully as possible within a surround format.

Surround playback is supported on compatible systems; otherwise, YouTube will automatically downmix the audio to stereo.

[Version Note]
This upload focuses purely on the immersive audio experience. More surround field recordings and natural ambiences can be found on the channel.

[Explore More]
๐ŸŒ Blog & behind-the-scenes: soundxplorer.com
๐ŸŽง Individual sounds & previews: SoundCloud
๐Ÿ”Š Professional sound effects library: Articulated Sounds
๐Ÿ”— https://linktr.ee/soundXplorer

If you enjoy authentic environmental recordings, consider subscribing and following the journey as I continue documenting unique soundscapes around the world.

[Recording Notes] ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
Location: Kaudia Range, Uttarakhand, India (~2300 m altitude)
Recorded: Dawn, May 2024
Microphones: Schoeps ORTF 3D array
Technique: Multichannel ORTF 3D adapted to 5.1 surround
Recorder: Zoom F8n Pro
Post-processing: Minimal cleanup only, preserving the natural dynamics and realism of the environment

#Himalaya #KaudiaRange #Uttarakhand #India #NatureSounds #FieldRecording #Ambience #SurroundSound #51Surround #Meditation #Birdsong #NatureAmbience #ImmersiveAudio #asmr
Himalayan Dawn Ambience | Kaudia Range, Uttarakhand, India | Birds & Valley Resonance (5.1 Surround)
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Get the Sounds

For sound designers & creators
High-quality, royalty-free sound effects
96kHz / 192kHz with full metadata
Available via Articulated Sounds

For personal listening
Immersive albums on Bandcamp
Not licensed for commercial use

Latest Journal Entries

  • Journal Entry 286
    February 12, 2026
    (Nomad Day 2869) Dear [โ€ฆ]
  • Journal Entry 285
    February 3, 2026
    (Nomad Day 2860) Dear [โ€ฆ]
  • Journal Entry: Day 284
    May 20, 2023
    (Nomad: Day 1870), Tangkoko, [โ€ฆ]
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