Pressure Project #2: Alligators in the Sewers!

This audio exploration is designed to evoke sensation through sound in a whimsical way. Working from the myth of the alligators who live in the New York City subway system, I sketched out a one-minute narrative encounter that would be recognizable (especially to a city-dweller), a little creepy, and just a bit funny.

1. A regular day on a busy New York City street
2. The clatter of a manhole cover being opened
3. Climbing down into the dark sewer
4. Walking slowly through the dark through running water (and who knows what else)
5. A sound in the distance . . . a pause
6. The roar of an alligator!

Assembling these sounds was simply a matter of scouring YouTube, but mixing them proved to be a bit more challenging. I layered each track in GarageBand, paying special attention to the transition from the busy world above and the dark, industrial swamp below. I also worked to differentiate the sound of stepping down a ladder from the sound of walking through the tunnel. An overlay of swamp and sewer sounds created the atmosphere belowground, and a random water drop built the tension. It was important to stop the footsteps immediately after you hear the soft roar of the alligator in the distance, pause, and then bring in the loudest sequence of alligators roaring I could find.

The minute-long requirement was tricky to work with because of the relationship between time and tension. I think the project succeeds in general, but an extra minute or two could really ratchet up the sensations of moving from safety, to curiosity, to trepidation, to terror. Take a listen for yourself! I recommend turning off all the lights and lying on the floor.