SoundWorks Collection Interview Series - Michael Raphael and Rudy Trubitt - Lionel Train Recording

This week we spoke with sound recordist Michael Raphael from Rabbit Ears Audio and Rudy Trubitt who is the Director of Audio for Lionel Trains.

Rudy and Michael worked together on sourcing a new group of steam whistles for Lionel’s new products. They traveled to North Carolina and recorded over 15 steam whistles which are incredibly challenging sounds to record because of the high amount of SPL, and lionel’s specific needs.

Although steam whistles emerged in the mid-19th century as a warning device, train whistles quickly became the rail industry’s iconic sound. Many railways even cast their own whistles, branding the sound of their particular train line.

Equipment: Schoeps MK4, Schoeps MK8, Sennheiser MKH40, Sennheiser MKH30, Sennheiser MD421, Sennheiser MKH60, Sanken CUB–01, DPA 4060

The whistles were recorded while the steam engine was stationary with no electrical system running. This means the whistle blows are completely isolated from any other train noise.