Atlantic Sunrise

It was a highly unusual time in terms of climate. Portugal is notoriously windy but during these recording sessions, there was not even a breeze at the coast. I had packed heavy duty wind gear but to my surprise it stayed in the bag. I recorded right next to It was a highly unusual time in terms of climate. Portugal is notoriously windy but during these recording sessions, there was not even a breeze at the coast. I had packed heavy duty wind gear but to my surprise it stayed in the bag. I recorded right next to Ilhéu de Papôa, not far from some of the best surfing spots in the world. During this recording, however, the sea was calm. Even for summer.

I also had to call off a planned night time session due to intense humidity. I had a humble Audio-Technica BP4025 in a Radius blimp, and didn’t want to risk destroying the equipment. Having lived in central Portugal, I am no stranger to (winter) humidity, but it was on another level in Peniche: firstly, it was summer. Secondly, it wasn’t fog, but actual salty ocean water being sprayed through the air, creating the impression of thick fog.

The mic was rigged at about the height of the ears of someone sitting on the beach, at a distance of about seven meters from the breaking waves, with a stone barrier a few meters behind it. The recording started before sunrise, at about 4:30 AM and ran until the sun was fully up. I was completely alone at the beach. , not far from some of the best surfing spots in the world. During this recording, however, the sea was calm. Even for summer.