Description

Recording garbage truck sound effects in Orange County, California

When we lived in Costa Mesa, California a very loud garbage truck would come into our neighborhood to pick up and empty everyone’s pins. You probably aren’t surprised when I mention that every garbage truck sound is unique depending on the location, engine, how full the truck is, and even who is driving it!

While capturing sounds of a garbage truck may seem mundane, I knew it was something I had to record. Every time I power on my recorder I know that I’m archiving a sound that someone may need someday!

Equipment used to record these garbage truck sounds

Luckily, one day when the garbage truck came near our home I was able to grab my Zoom H6 (with the XY Microphone) and run down the stairs to where the truck was about to pick up our trash.

You will hear…

– the power of the engine while the truck empties the bins

– the squeaking of the brakes when the truck backs up

– the beeping noise of the reverse gear

– an airplane fly over from the John Wayne Airport

– the puffing noise from the hydraulic

– the truck placing the bin back on the street

– birds before another beeping noise

– the truck goes back and forth

– a bottle rumble sounds in the trash