6 May 2024

Wind and Metal

by | posted in: contact microphones, Field Recording, Idaho, Ohio, Sound Effects | 0

Wind and Metal explores the awesome ways metal responds sonically under the influence of wind. Large objects like modern wind turbines, old-fashioned windmills, a geodesic dome, an overhead power line transmission tower, a fire tower, flag poles and a giant crucifix, were recorded under varying wind speeds from airy breezes to howling gusts. Each structure produces resonant tones unique to its design, location and weather affecting it. There’s the sound of wire fences too, of course.

Here you’ll find eerie low-end drones plus piercing and painful high-end squeaks. There’s animalistic groaning and scraping. Some serious banging and thumping. Plus rattles and rumbles, deep impacts and rhythmic whooshes.

Wind and Metal sound effects library by Evocative Sound and Visuals
Table Of Contents
  1. Wind Turbines and Windmills
  2. Geodesic Dome
  3. Overhead Power Line Transmission Tower and Fire Tower
  4. Flagpoles and Crucifix
  5. Wire Fences
  6. Listen to a Preview
  7. Library Details
  8. Are you looking for the sound of wind chimes? 
  9. Behind the Scenes
  10. Wind Turbine Specifics

Wind Turbines and Windmills

I captured the rhythmic whooshing sound of modern wind turbines, at varying distances, on expansive wind farms placed smack in the middle of Iowa farmland and Idaho’s high desert. In addition, I visited working wind turbines at county parks and museums. I found one in front of a dentist’s office. This one produced one of the most irritating, grating sounds I’ve ever heard. Far worse than the sound of any dentist’s drill.

There’s plenty of old-school metal windmills featured in the library. The kind with sails instead of blades, and used for pond aeration and water pumps down on the farm. I recorded many of these on Amish farms in Ohio. This was my way of slowly introducing myself to the Amish community in order to cover them in more detail for my Amish sound effects library.

Three 404-foot (123.10 meter) tall S88 wind turbines, manufactured by Suzlon Energy and installed in 2009, face a setting sun in Glenns Ferry, Idaho on October 12, 2018. Part of the Mountain Home Wind Project, each turbine, with a rotor diameter of 88 metes, can produce 2.1 MW of electricity. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Three 404-foot (123.10 meter) tall S88 wind turbines, manufactured by Suzlon Energy and installed in 2009, face a setting sun in Glenns Ferry, Idaho on October 12, 2018. Part of the Mountain Home Wind Project, each turbine, with a rotor diameter of 289 feet (88 meters) and hub height of 259 feet (79 meters), can produce 2.1 MW of electricity. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Richard Alan Hannon using contact microphones to record the Vestas V27 wind turbine as its 89-foot-diameter rotors cast a spinning shadow in front of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio August 18, 2016. Installed in 2006, the 146-foot tall turbine, capable of generating 225 kW of electricity (enough to power over 300 refrigerators) when wind speeds reach 31-mile per hour, needs a minimum 8-m.p.h. breeze to generate electricity, according to signage posted at the museum.
A Vestas V27 wind turbine, with an 89-foot (27 meter) diameter rotor, cast a spinning shadow in front of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio August 18, 2016. Installed in 2006, the 146-foot (45 meter) tall turbine, capable of generating 225 kW of electricity (enough to power over 300 refrigerators) when wind speeds reach 31-mile per hour, needs a minimum 8-m.p.h. breeze to generate electricity, according to signage posted at the museum. The turbine hasn’t spun since 2019 due to a faulty part that is no longer being made .
Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Sound recording of the Rippey Wind Farm south of Grand Junction, Iowa on April 26, 2018.. Photo by Denise Porter
Wind turbines at the Rippey Wind Farm south of Grand Junction, Iowa on April 26, 2018. Twenty Nordex N100 turbines, featuring a 328 foot (100 meters) diameter rotor, produce 2,500 kW of power each. Photo by Denise Porter
Recording the sound of a Windspire Energy Model 800080 vertical axis wind turbine, built in 2010, with a pair of contact microphones in Northfield, Ohio on January 5, 2022. The manufacturer states on the bottom of the unit that there are “no user serviceable parts inside,” which in this case is clearly too bad, as this unit is incredibly squeaky, like fingers raking across a chalkboard, and a bit wobbly as well. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A Windspire Energy Model 800080 vertical axis wind turbine, built in 2010, with a pair of contact microphones in Northfield, Ohio on January 5, 2022. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
The spiral-design wind turbine at Observatory Park in Geauga County, Ohio, August 18, 2017. This type of turbine was chosen to hopefully lesson the incidences of bird and bad collisions, according to park Naturalist Dan Best. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
The UGE-1K, a spiral-design wind turbine that can produce up to 1 kW of power, at Observatory Park in Geauga County, Ohio, August 18, 2017. According to park Naturalist Dan Best, this type of turbine was chosen to hopefully lesson the incidences of bird and bat collisions. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
A metal windmill, reflected in an old building’s window, spins at the Museum of Western Reserve Farms & Equipment in Richfield, Ohio on July 13, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
An amish windmill in Weller Township north of Mansfield, Ohio on 5/25/16. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
An Amish windmill atop a hill in Charm, Ohio on August 5 , 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Geodesic Dome

I recorded an 80-ton, 103-foot high (31 meters), 250-foot (76 meters) diameter geodesic dome. It is made entirely of extruded aluminum pipe, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in. More than 65,000 parts in all according to ASM International’s website. Standing under this structure is pretty cool. Listening to its low drone and rattle under a strong wind with the aid of a pair of contact mics is even better. 

The open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built in 1958 of extruded aluminum pipe in 1958, contains over 65,000 parts. It is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome, standing 103 feet high, measuring 250 feet in diameter and weighing 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
The open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built of extruded aluminum pipe in 1958, contains over 65,000 parts. It is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome, standing 103 feet high, measuring 250 feet in diameter and weighing 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Overhead Power Line Transmission Tower and Fire Tower

I sat at the base of a 345 kV overhead power line transmission tower and did the same atop an 80-foot (24-meter) fire tower that looks down upon a state forest. I captured these in the dead of winter, practically guaranteeing no one else would be around. An otherworldly drone emanates from the transmission tower. Likewise, a clanky, rattling drone emerges from the 90-year-old fire tower.

Using a pair of Barcus Berry contact microphones to capture the sound of wind traveling through a high power metal transmission line tower in northeast Ohio on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Constant winds averaged 16 MPH with gusts up to 37 MPH. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of wind hitting the 80-foot (24-meter) firetower at Mohican State Park on February 19, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of wind hitting the 80-foot (24-meter) fire tower at Mohican State Park on February 19, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Flagpoles and Crucifix

I affixed contact microphones to hollow flagpoles, one being 100 feet (30 meters) tall. Things get interesting when the wind kicks up and the rope attached to the flag hits the pole. I hiked to 3,600 feet above sea level to stand beneath a six-story tall, 4,500-pound (2,041 kilogram) lighted metal crucifix atop Table Rock in Boise, Idaho. The controversial cross has beckoned religious followers and graffiti artists since the 1950s.

Capturing the sound of wind, rope and flagpole with a pair of contact microphones in Northfield, Ohio on January 15, 2022. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of the large metal cross atop Table Rock in the foothills of Boise, Idaho on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Wire Fences

No sound effects library involving metal recorded with contact microphones would be complete without the sound of wire fences captured on windy days. The wind ‘plays’ these wires like a low-toned instrument in the band.

Sound recordist Richard Alan Hannon capturing the sound of a wire fence with a pair of Barcus Berry contact microphones in Mansfield, Ohio on March 30, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon.
Capturing the sound of a wire fence with a pair of Barcus Berry contact microphones in Mansfield, Ohio on March 30, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon.
Capturing the sound of wind as it travels over a barbed wire fence in Eagle, Idaho on January 21, 2019. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Capturing the sound of wind as it travels over a barbed wire fence in Eagle, Idaho on January 21, 2019. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Capturing the sound of wind hitting a wire fence with a pair of contact microphones on a farm in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Friday, March 8, 2024. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Capturing the sound of wind hitting a wire fence with a pair of contact microphones on a farm in Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Friday, March 8, 2024. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Create something soothing, eerie, impactful or in between by inserting Wind and Metal into your next project.

Listen to a Preview

Purchase Library

Library Details

  • 43 files, 6.44 GB, 187 minutes
  • Captured with either a pair of full-frequency Barcus Berry 4000 contact microphones (with their dedicated preamps), or a Sony PCM D100. A Sound Devices 702 recorder and Mixpre D mixer were also used.
  • Loops for wind turbine files that allow for it.

Are you looking for the sound of wind chimes? 

Evocative Sound and Visuals has recorded them too!

Behind the Scenes

Sound recording of the Rippey Wind Farm south of Grand Junction, Iowa on April 26, 2018.. Photo by Denise Porter
Richard Alan Hannon sound recording at the Rippey Wind Farm south of Grand Junction, Iowa on April 26, 2018.. Photo by Denise Porter
Richard Alan Hannon using contact microphones to record the Vestas V27 wind turbine as its 89-foot-diameter rotors cast a spinning shadow in front of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio August 18, 2016. Installed in 2006, the 146-foot tall turbine, capable of generating 225 kW of electricity (enough to power over 300 refrigerators) when wind speeds reach 31-mile per hour, needs a minimum 8-m.p.h. breeze to generate electricity, according to signage posted at the museum. Photo by Denise Porter
Richard Alan Hannon using contact microphones to record the Vestas V27 wind turbine as its 89-foot-diameter rotors cast a spinning shadow in front of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio August 18, 2016. Installed in 2006, the 146-foot tall turbine, capable of generating 225 kW of electricity (enough to power over 300 refrigerators) when wind speeds reach 31-mile per hour, needs a minimum 8-m.p.h. breeze to generate electricity, according to signage posted at the museum. Photo by Denise Porter
Sound recordist Richard Alan Hannon capturing the sound of a wire fence with a pair of Barcus Berry contact microphones in Mansfield, Ohio on March 30, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon.
Sound recordist Richard Alan Hannon capturing the sound of a wire fence with a pair of Barcus Berry contact microphones in Mansfield, Ohio on March 30, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon.
Field recordist Richard Alan Hannon captures the sound of steady winds blowing across the open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built with extruded aluminum pipe in 1958 with over 65,000 parts, is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome. It stands 103 feet high, measures 250 feet in diameter and weighs 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Field recordist Richard Alan Hannon captures the sound of steady winds blowing across the open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built with extruded aluminum pipe in 1958 with over 65,000 parts, is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome. It stands 103 feet high, measures 250 feet in diameter and weighs 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Using two contact microphones, one per pylon, to capture the sound of steady winds blowing across the open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built with extruded aluminum pipe in 1958 with over 65,000 parts, is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome. It stands 103 feet high, measures 250 feet in diameter and weighs 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Using two contact microphones, one per pylon, to capture the sound of steady winds blowing across the open latticework geodesic dome that spans ASM International’s headquarters at Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The dome, built with extruded aluminum pipe in 1958 with over 65,000 parts, is the world’s largest open-work geodesic dome. It stands 103 feet high, measures 250 feet in diameter and weighs 80 tons. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of wind hitting the fire tower at Mohican State Park on February 19, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of wind hitting the fire tower at Mohican State Park on February 19, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Capturing the sound of wind hitting the flagpoles with contact microphones at Julius Kleiner Park in Meridian, Idaho on November 27, 2019. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Capturing the sound of wind hitting the flagpoles with contact microphones at Julius Kleiner Park in Meridian, Idaho on November 27, 2019. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Sound recording of amish windmill in Weller Township north of Mansfield, Ohio on 5/25/16. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Sound recording of an Amish windmill in Weller Township north of Mansfield, Ohio on May 25, 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of a Windspire Energy Model 800080 vertical axis wind turbine, built in 2010, with a pair of contact microphones in Northfield, Ohio on January 5, 2022. The manufacturer states on the bottom of the unit that there are “no user serviceable parts inside,” which in this case is clearly too bad, as this unit is incredibly squeaky, like fingers raking across a chalkboard, and a bit wobbly as well. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Recording the sound of a Windspire Energy Model 800080 vertical axis wind turbine, built in 2010, with a pair of contact microphones in Northfield, Ohio on January 5, 2022. The manufacturer states on the bottom of the unit that there are “no user serviceable parts inside,” which in this case is clearly too bad, as this unit is incredibly squeaky, like fingers raking across a chalkboard, and a bit wobbly as well. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Sound recording of an Aermotor windmill at an Amish farm in Charm, Ohio on August 5 , 2016. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon

Wind Turbine Specifics

  • Nordex N100: hub height = 100 meters/rotor diameter = 100 meters/Rated power = 2,500 kW/year online 2012
  • Suzlon S88: hub height = 79 meters/rotor diameter = 88 meters/Rated power=2.5 MW/year online 2009
  • UGE-1K: Rated power 1 kW
  • Vestas V27: rotor diameter = 27 meters/hub height 30 meters/Rated power 225 kW/year online 2006
  • Windspire Energy Model 800080: vertical axis wind turbine/Rated power 1.2 kW

Information above via the USGS’ U.S. Wind Turbine Database

Multiple 123.10 meter tall S88 wind turbines, manufactured by Suzlon Energy and installed in 2009, are seen at twilight in Glenns Ferry, Idaho on October 12, 2018. Part of the Mountain Home Wind Project, each turbine, with a rotor diameter of 88 metes, can produce 2.5 MW of electricity. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
Multiple 123.10 meter tall S88 wind turbines, manufactured by Suzlon Energy and installed in 2009, are seen at twilight in Glenns Ferry, Idaho on October 12, 2018. Part of the Mountain Home Wind Project, each turbine, with a rotor diameter of 88 metes, can produce 2.5 MW of electricity. Photo by Richard Alan Hannon
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