Product Description
Bowling features a wide variety of high-quality stereo sounds from the sport of 10-pin bowling, captured from multiple micing perspectives at three different bowling alleys across the United States.
I visited a 40-lane, a 24-lane and an 8-lane alley, all at different times of day and night to capture sounds during league practice (with no music) and sounds with no one in the house besides myself and the manager. I was given fantastic access, allowing me to record from various perspectives. These include from above, behind and beside the mechanical pinsetter machines and next to the pin deck at the far end of the lanes. I also set my mics down next to the foul line, the ball return behind the approach, behind the settee area (where bowlers sit), the concourse area (where bowlers find the snack machines and bar) and halfway down the service aisle beside the first lane. I followed a robot-like lane machine as it traveled back and forth along the lanes, laying down oil at just the right spots. It works a lot like an inkjet printer putting words onto a page.
I was permitted to turn pinsetter machines off and on at the back of the house, which was pretty fun. Each one has a switch in the back. Who knew? This allowed me to record just one machine in isolation, or several working at once. I rolled (delivered is the term used by the United States Bowling Congress) a few frames down an alley with no machines running. Machine noise can mask the woosh of a ball passing by. Rolling with the machines turned off allowed me to get this delicate sound like I wanted.
So get yourself an oat soda and a limitless bowl of pretzels. Slip on a pair of two-toned suede bowling shoes, you know, those kind with their size stamped on the heel for all to see, and enjoy Bowling.