When it comes to sound design, capturing authentic, high-quality recordings of nature’s rawest elements is no small feat. Thunderstorms, in particular, present an incredible challenge due to their unpredictability, sheer intensity, and the dangers involved in recording them. Our latest release, THUNDERSTORM CHASER, is the result of six years of dedicated work from renowned field recordist Matt Mikkelsen. This blog post dives into Matt’s journey, the technology behind the recordings, and the stories that make this library a must-have for movie, TV, and game sound designers. Plus these libraries go beyond the common applications and offer powerful resources for those working in other sound design roles.
Meet Matt Mikkelsen: A Pioneer in Natural Sound Recording
Matt Mikkelsen is no stranger to the world of sound design. A musician-turned-engineer, his journey into nature field recording began with a fascination for the balance between science and art.
“I’ve always loved sound—how it works, how it moves through space. It’s a beautiful mix of art and science. But I never wanted to be stuck in a dark studio all day. The outdoors called to me, and that’s where my career led.”
His passion for recording the natural world led him to work alongside legendary sound recordist Gordon Hempton, whose Quiet Planet collection remains one of the most revered natural ambience libraries of all time. Through their collaboration, Matt developed a deep respect for preserving natural soundscapes and capturing the essence of nature in all its forms.
The Art of Storm Chasing: A Six-Year Journey
Capturing thunder and lightning in their purest form is not something that happens overnight. Unlike other sound effects, where elements can be staged or recreated in a controlled environment, thunderstorms are chaotic, uncontrollable forces of nature.
“Recording thunderstorms is kind of the holy grail for sound recordists. It’s one of the hardest things to capture cleanly, and yet it’s one of the most sought-after elements in sound design.”
Matt spent six years traveling across the U.S., primarily in Colorado, chasing the perfect storm. Each year, he would dedicate months to tracking weather patterns, consulting meteorologists, and setting up in the most optimal locations to capture these electrifying events. However, the process was far from straightforward.
“There were years where I came back with nothing. Storms are unpredictable. Sometimes they die out before they reach you, sometimes they shift direction. And sometimes, well, they get too close.”
A Near-Death Experience: Struck by Lightning
One of the most harrowing moments of Matt’s career came during one of these recording sessions in Colorado. He had set up his microphones in a remote area, observing an approaching storm from a safe distance—or so he thought.
“There’s this phenomenon called a ‘bolt from the blue.’ It’s a lightning strike that comes out of the top of a cloud and can hit the ground miles away from the storm itself. I was standing there, monitoring the setup, and suddenly, I was on the ground. I couldn’t see, I couldn’t hear. I didn’t know if time had passed or if I had blacked out.”
Realizing he had narrowly escaped serious injury, Matt threw his equipment into his truck and drove straight to a hospital.
“In the parking lot, I listened to the recording. If I had lost consciousness, I would have checked myself in. But I was still in one piece, so I took a day off, then went right back out to record.”
This level of dedication and risk underscores just how special this library is. These aren’t just sounds—they’re moments of raw, natural power, captured in the most extreme conditions.
Advanced Recording Technologies
One of the defining features of THUNDERSTORM CHASER is the use of the highly-acclaimed Schoeps ORTF-3D setup, a cuboid 8-channel level/time difference ambience setup. This advanced microphone array provides an additional height layer compared to regular surround recording setups, offering unparalleled spatial sound effects and a more realistic three-dimensional reproduction.
“The Schoeps ORTF-3D setup consists of eight supercardioid microphones, carefully arranged to capture a full 3D sound field. The height layer enhances spatial depth, delivers a more natural surround impression, and improves envelopment—offering an authentic and immersive experience.”
This level of detail ensures that THUNDERSTORM CHASER is more than just a collection of thunder rumbles. It captures the full progression of a storm—from distant rumbles and eerie silences before the downpour, to the explosive cracks of lightning overhead, the pounding of rain and hail, and the howling winds that accompany these tempests.
More Than Just a Sound Library: A Conservation Effort
Beyond the technical brilliance of these recordings, Matt sees his work as a form of conservation. As a co-founder of Quiet Parks International, he is committed to preserving the world’s natural soundscapes.
“I see soundscapes as a resource, just like clean water or air. When we preserve quiet spaces, we protect ecosystems. My work isn’t just about recording nature—it’s about ensuring that future generations can experience it.”
This ethos extends into his recording approach. By capturing thunderstorms in their truest form, without artificial embellishments, he provides sound designers with a library that is as close to nature as possible.
Who is THUNDERSTORM CHASER For?
While primarily designed for film, TV, and game sound designers, this library has applications far beyond traditional media. Museums, theatre productions, and natural history documentaries can all benefit from its authentic, cinematic-quality recordings.
“These recordings aren’t dramatized. They’re real. If you want the most accurate and emotionally powerful thunderstorm sounds available, this is the library you need.”
The authenticity of these recordings makes them perfect for sound designers who want to evoke real emotion in their work. Whether creating immersive environments in video games or crafting tense moments in films, THUNDERSTORM CHASER offers an unparalleled level of realism.
Patience, Perseverance, and Passion
Matt’s journey to create this library has been one of patience, perseverance, and passion. From surviving a near-death experience to spending years chasing the perfect storm, his dedication has resulted in one of the most impressive collections of thunderstorm recordings ever made.
“I hope people don’t just use these recordings—I hope they feel them. Sound is all about emotion, and these thunderstorms have a way of making you feel their power, their intensity, and their beauty.”
With THUNDERSTORM CHASER we once again aimed for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sound design, offering professionals the tools to craft truly immersive experiences. For those who demand the very best, this collection is an essential addition to any sound designer’s toolkit.
Part of BOOM Library’s Stunning 3D Sound Collection
THUNDERSTORM CHASER is the latest addition to our breathtaking collection of 3D Surround sound libraries. This expanding collection offers unparalleled spatial audio experiences, ensuring sound designers have the highest quality assets to work with. Explore the full range of our 3D Surround libraries here.
THUNDERSTORM CHASER is available now in our BOOM Library shop. Experience the raw power of nature—captured with precision, passion, and a touch of lightning-induced adrenaline.
About Matt Mikkelsen
Matt Mikkelsen is a sound recordist, audio engineer, and documentary filmmaker based in Duluth, Minnesota. He has worked as a sound designer, director, and producer on several award winning documentaries, but has also devoted much of his professional career to observing, recording, researching, and preserving natural soundscapes. His clients include Skywalker Sound, Emergence Magazine, and Amazon, and his work has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, WBUR’s On Point, New York Times Op-Docs, National Geographic, and CBS Mornings. Matt is the Co-Founder of Spruce Tone and also serves as the Executive Director of Wilderness Quiet Parks for Quiet Parks International.
