Description

Hong Kong night sounds at Yik Cheong “Monster building!”

You know the type of sounds that give you the chills? The spooky, eerie, and hair-raising kind that’s in your face and makes you’re heart skip a beat. Welcome to Hong Kong’s Yik Cheong Monster Building complex.

Transformers: Age of Extinction & Ghost in the Shell changed it all

Once this complex was just another visually captivating group of high-rise apartment buildings with only locals and residents walking through. However, after this release of Transformers 4, the courtyards of Yik Cheong Monster Building complex had new faces roaming around and snapping photos. With both Transformers and Ghost in the Shell choosing this spot as a filming location, there has been an influx of urban explorers and Instagrammers.

While most come there to strike a pose in front of the now-iconic wall of colorful terraces and balconies, we decided to swing by to hear what it sounded like. We were greeted with several posters prohibiting the usage of drones and capturing photos and videos for the sake of the residents’ privacy. We talked to one of the complex security, he said now more than ever have tourists been coming and interrupting the residents by taking photos in the courtyard. Sound recording is different and very unique and after we asked for permission, we were able to record some fantastic sound effects.

Where We Recorded The Soundscape & What Equipment Used

Contrary to popular belief, the “Monster Building” isn’t just one building but rather a complex of connecting structures. Comprised of Yick Cheong, Yick Fat, Fook Cheong Building, Oceanic Mansion, and Montane Mansion, this collection of buildings were erected as subsidized housing in the 1960s.

This behemoth of five interconnected towers created an unexpected soundscape. Since it’s essentially a large courtyard surrounded by some of the tallest buildings in the area, the sounds felt closed off yet unexplainably eerie. We recorded sounds in both inner courtyards, near the stairs, between the closed shops, and traffic & escalators by the nearest bus stop.

For the recordings I used the new Zoom F6 and the Wildtronics Stereo Microphones. I recorded hundreds of Gigabyte in Hong Kong and more unique sound libraries are coming soon.

Conclusion

We enjoyed our experience taking in the local life of the Monster Building complex. If you ever come to Hong Kong and decide to visit Quarry Bay please be respectful of the residents. If possible ask for permission and understand that people are living there!