Researching Caribbean Environments for Sound Design

For this blog, I will be investigating the environment of the Caribbean, including its wildlife and natural surroundings, to identify sounds that I can incorporate into my piece in order to create a more authentic and immersive atmosphere.

While researching online, I decided to begin by exploring the different animals that inhabit the Caribbean and considering how their sounds could contribute to the overall soundscape of my composition. One of the first resources I came across was an article from Celebrity Cruises, which discusses a variety of animals found throughout the Caribbean islands. I discovered that several species of monkeys can be found across the region, particularly on islands such as Barbados and Saint Kitts.

One animal that stood out to me was the Green Monkey. The vocalisations and movement sounds of monkeys could be incorporated subtly into the background of my composition to help establish a tropical environment. I think these sounds would work particularly well alongside atmospheric pads, creating a sense of depth and bringing the listener closer to the natural setting I am attempting to portray.

Another group of animals that interested me were frogs. According to an article published by Forbes, the Caribbean is home to numerous frog species. Their calls could provide an additional layer of environmental texture within the piece. One species I found especially interesting was the Mountain Chicken Frog, a large amphibian native to parts of the Caribbean. The distinctive sounds of frogs are often associated with tropical climates and could help reinforce the atmosphere I am trying to create.

In addition to animal sounds, I would also like to include recordings or sound design elements inspired by ocean waves, rustling trees, and a gentle breeze. These natural sounds will form the foundation of the opening section of the composition and help establish a calm and immersive environment. This section will then gradually transition into a more synthesiser-focused passage, which I will discuss in a future blog post.

Harvard References

Celebrity Cruises (n.d.) Animals in the Caribbean. Available at: https://www.celebritycruises.com/blog/animals-in-the-caribbean (Accessed: 26 May 2026).

Forbes (2023) Giant Caribbean Mountain Chicken Frog on the Brink of Extinction. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2023/10/16/giant-caribbean-mountain-chicken-frog-on-the-brink-of-extinction/ (Accessed: 26 May 2026).