For the most part, I was there following him around, Tomek. The only time I left mics up and a recorder running without constantly adjusting mic position was the overnight recordings I did to capture the sounds he makes when dreaming. After living with me for so many years, Loki is relatively accustomed to me handling microphones. Loki can be very easy to work with, in that he gets very focused on whatever has captured his attention. If he thinks he’s going to get food, he doesn’t really care what you stick in his face. If there’s someone outside, he wants them to come in…and he will NOT stop expressing that for a while. lol

I got one question: did you participate in those recordings or you’ve just set up the mike and waited for some hours? I’m wondering whether Loki was aware you’re nearby while barking ;) I’m asking because of some issues you mentioned in the beginning, like “act differently when your boss is around? Your parents? Your significant other? Your best friend? When you’re by yourself?”. Did you try to leave Loki with a stranger (stranger from Loki’s perspective of course ;) ).

Cheers!

Correction. The “dreaming” had a little noise reduction. I wasn’t paying attention to the setup when I started the 744T, as I was about to go to bed myself. Didn’t realize I had the inputs “linked,” and setting the gain on the second input actually panned the signal away from the record track. Had to add gain to that particular sound, then used a combination of RX3 and Waves WNS to get rid of the system noise. Been running the recorder for the last few nights in the hopes he’ll dream again. ;)

No post processing, Hubert. Just edits. The panting was recorded a few years ago using a Sony PCM-D50. Everything else was recorded using an AKG C393B (Blue Line with hypercardioid capsule) and Sound Devices 744T…most of it on Friday (the “dreaming” recording, being the only exception).