The Power of Sound Masterclass
Wonderful and inspiring workshop. – RUTH MELVILLE, NSW (Masterclass, Winter 2025)
The 2024/25 Power of Sound online course on field-recorded sound was cancelled in 2025. In its place, Kim V. Goldsmith ran a 3-hour Summer 2025 Masterclass in February and a Winter 2025 course in June/July. This format has proven to be popular and still covers the same content as the longer format course.
Cost is A$330pp
Limited placement of 5 participants
Note: Placements are only secured once payments have cleared.
Besides learning about some key methodologies and equipment, it was being reminded about the preparation of respectfully listening to place and it’s inhabitants; instinctually working in right relationship with the more than human world. – CHARLOTTE HAYWOOD, NSW (Masterclass, Summer 2025)
Run over two, 1.5-hour blocks with a break, this face-to-face online masterclass provides an opportunity for you to learn how other field recordists approach the practice; tips and tricks learned from experience over many years; how to get the best from your equipment in the field through pre-production preparation and sound working methods in the field; as well as understanding there’s more than one way to approach post-production. You’ll be encouraged to share samples of your work with your facilitator and masterclass participants through online links to your work. Feedback on recordings is provided on request through the use of share folders.
Following your payment for the masterclass clearing, you’ll have access to The Power of Sound course manual (a downloadable PDF) and the online course pages of resources and links to work through before the masterclass date. This will provide an opportunity to learn or refresh your understanding of the fundamentals and bring any issues you’re having to the table in a face-to-face session with the facilitator and other participants.
The most enjoyable part of the course was the ways the exercises in the modules built on each other and towards different aspects of what makes a field recording “work”. – ANNA MUNSTER, NSW (Masterclass, Summer 2025)
This masterclass course is more about the practice of field recording rather than the final output, however, it applies to a wide range of field-recorded sound uses i.e. sound art, video production, music and more. You do not need professional or prosumer audio recording equipment to participate in this course. You can start field recording with a recent model mobile phone.
This masterclass is delivered from New South Wales, Australia. Being online, interstate and international participants are welcome, time zones permitting.
Who is Kim V. Goldsmith? Based in Central West New South Wales, Australia, Kim is a former ABC Radio journalist, storyteller, and content producer of 33 years’ experience, who fell in love again with sound recorded outside the studio in 2008, when commissioned to develop a body of digital media works for an exhibition about the rural history and ecology of inland New South Wales. Since then, she’s used field-recorded sound for installations, video soundtracks, and soundscape compositions presented in exhibitions, festivals, and online across Australia and internationally. Kim is an experienced facilitator and trainer.
I’d recommend this course because you have the chance to learn from a dedicated, passionate and experienced practitioner. – CHARLOTTE HAYWOOD, NSW (Masterclass, Summer 2025)
The Power of Sound Summer Course (3 months)
This longer version of The Power of Sound is no longer available, however the same course content has been transferred to the Masterclass courses.
Kim’s online sound workshop last year (3 month course) really opened my ears and knowledge about field recording. It was practical and the feedback was extremely valuable. I have been recording in my forest all year. – JANE RICHENS, NSW
This is a 3-part small group course designed and delivered by field recordist, sound artist and content producer, Kim V. Goldsmith, for creatives interested in using quality field recordings in their work — video/film, music compositions, sound art installations, podcasts and more. The starting point is having a mobile device you can record with, in the field.
No previous experience is required but a willingness to learn and play. Showing up for one-hour, monthly group sessions is essential to get the most from this course. To start this course you need nothing but a mobile phone to record on and a computer to be able to retrieve the recordings. Professional equipment may also be used if available to you, and anything in between. This is about getting the most from what you have available.
The 3 self-paced modules in the course manual will provide the basics of field recording, with professional tips, links to many resources, and exercises — all supported by 3 monthly group face-to-face sessions on Google Meet that are recorded in case you miss them. When we can, we organise a special guest for one of the online sessions, with someone who might match the interests of group participants. You’ll also receive email support throughout the course.
- PLANNING TO USE SOUND FROM PREPARATION TO POST-PRODUCTION
- LOCATION PREPARATION, EQUIPMENT PREPARATION, TIPS + TECHNIQUES IN THE FIELD
- CREATIVE FIELD RECORDINGS + CREATIVE USES OF FIELD RECORDINGS
- SHARING EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS IN THE GROUP
- FILE SHARING YOUR RECORDINGS WITH YOUR FACILITATOR FOR FEEDBACK
- RECORDED ONLINE SESSIONS FOR WATCHING BACK
- GUEST FIELD RECORDIST/SOUND ARTIST
The course provided just the right amount of prompts and signposts to start my own exploration of the world of sound. I’ve been listening for a while but this is the first time I’ve really examined the practice of other field recordists to contextualise and make sense of my own activity in this field. – JAC CAMPBELL, UK
Why was this course developed?
The Power of Sound was developed by Kim V. Goldsmith during COVID in 2020/2021 as a 3-part course made up of online and face-to-face workshops extending the idea of deep, active listening to the environment through the use of readily available audio recording technology, and gaining a greater understanding of field recording to create sound art, music, and soundtracks for videos.
The pilot course was delivered to a group of young people from Mudgee with assistance from Mudgee Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), Orana Arts, and funding from the Country Arts Support Program (CASP) through Create NSW in 2021. Guest contributor, Stephan van der Merwe provided additional professional input into course materials.
This course also looked at deepening connections to and understandings of the environment—both the natural world and built environments. This aligns with the mission of ecoPULSE.art and the practice of lead artist, Kim V. Goldsmith.
It has been designed to be accessible using basic technology such as a phone and earbuds with an inline microphone, and free editing software, with exposure to prosumer and professional quality field recording equipment.
TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE POWER OF SOUND CONTACT KIM V. GOLDSMITH