Located 270 kilometres northeast of Aberdeen, in the North Sea, the Brae Alpha oil platform has been in operation since 1983. Throughout that time, it has been central to offshore energy production in the UK. Along with other platforms in the Brae oil field, it has reached its Cessation of Production point and is scheduled for decommission, dismantling and removal by the end of the decade. Geographically remote and closed to the public, this is a rare opportunity to wander through the depths of a working oil rig, from the windy helideck down to the chemist’s lab and mess hall. Take a walk around the pumps, separators and external wellbays, eavesdropping on the platform’s aural character.

Sound recordist Leigh Reuss-Daters explains about life on the rig: “Everyone onboard knows the sonic rhythms of a contented platform. We are acutely aware that we’re living on top of thousands of tonnes of highly flammable, explosive material. The sheer volume from a crude oil processing plant is impossible to convey but you need to listen for the sounds – they will tell you what’s happening”.

Location sounds and images by Leigh Reuss-Daters.

Technical production by Maties Palau.

The Radiophonic Travel Agency, a free to use resource brought to you by The Radiophonic Institute.

​Walk, run, swim, drive, float, ride, fly, wheel and meander around the world as we transport you to places near and far, using only the magic of sound. Freed from guidebooks and narration and with only your imagination as companion, listen to the world in joyous new ways.

Discover more: https://li.sten.to/TheRTA

Follow us: instagram.com/radiophonictravelagency

If you would like to submit recordings to be considered for a Travel Agency journey then please get in touch: hello@radiophonictravel.agency

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Created in the autumn of 2024, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, these recordings* bear witness to the evolving soundscape of Beirut. Recorded at home, from the same vantage point, we follow a typical day in the Lebanese capital during this time, from sunrise to sunset. Ordinary street sounds, barking dogs, generators, gunfire, sonic booms and exploding bombs mix together with the ever-present hum of military drones.

Reflecting on living through the everyday reality of the conflict, the sound designer Rana Eid said: “In this war we realised that it’s not only about taking the land and our homes anymore – it’s about taking the sky as well.”

*This episode contains sensitive material that some listeners may find disturbing.

Location sounds and images by Rana Eid.

Technical production by Maties Palau.

The Radiophonic Travel Agency, a free to use resource brought to you by The Radiophonic Institute.

​Walk, run, swim, drive, float, ride, fly, wheel and meander around the world as we transport you to places near and far, using only the magic of sound. Freed from guidebooks and narration and with only your imagination as companion, listen to the world in joyous new ways.

Discover more: https://li.sten.to/TheRTA

Follow us: instagram.com/radiophonictravelagency

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This field recording project sprang out of the Soundscapes class offered in the Spring of 2025 at the University of Texas at San Antonio (taught by Justin Boyd, Assistant Professor in New Media and Sculpture, Art and Art History). As part of the curriculum students were asked to propose ideas around what San Antonio sounds like. Being a large city, they decided to split the recordings into three zones: The Outer Ring is based around Highway Loop 1604, The Middle Ring is based around Loop 410 and the Inner Ring is the downtown/near downtown area. The sounds you hear represent the students' travels within the city and provide a personal snapshot of San Antonio in the spring.

Location sounds and images by Kayla Byrd, Jaila Castro, Ruby Coker, Alma Cuellar Vazquez, Isabelle Davis, Sep Garcia, Elroy Kay, Nina Lemire, Bryce Mcgowan, Andrew Mendoza, Carmen Montoya, Alyssa Narvaez, Aniyah Nick, Aaron Olivarez, Noah Pitman, Kendell Price, A’Isha Walker and Laurel Westphal. Mixed by Justin Boyd and Charlotte Irakunda.

​Walk, run, swim, drive, float, ride, fly, wheel and meander around the world as we transport you to places near and far, using only the magic of sound. Freed from guidebooks and narration and with only your imagination as companion, listen to the world in joyous new ways.

Follow us on Instagram and discover more here: https://li.sten.to/TheRTA.

If you would like to submit recordings to be considered for a Travel Agency journey then please get in touch: hello@radiophonictravel.agency

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.