Transient Recorder

There are moments in our lives that we want to capture. Visually, we do this through photos and videos. But capturing sound presents a unique challenge; it is inherently transient. Auditory events happen in an instant, gone before we can hit record. This makes it challenging to collect the sounds that enrich our daily experiences. This calls for the creation of a new type of recording device, one that is able to address the issue of temporality through technology. What could such a device look like? How does it work? What impact does it have on our ability to remember, but also to forget? And what socio-ethical implications does it bring about?

The transient recorder is a special type of audio recorder that was designed to answer these questions. It is a device capable of retroactive audio capture – recording sounds that have already happened. It acts as an auditory time machine, enabling users to retrieve recordings of any sound they encounter in their direct environment. The transient recorder achieves this through a method called ubiquitous recording: the continuous and uninterrupted capture of audio data. Through an ever-changing interface, this continuous audio stream is visualised and fragments can be revisited and stored, as if constructing an audio-based photo album.

The transient recorder is the result of a dynamic design process filled with generative workshops, design experiments, and field studies. It underwent a number of iterations, fueled by a transforming vision on what the device could and should become. This accumulated into a final design that embodies temporality - that which it was initially meant to overcome has become its central design element.

The transient recorder is both a visionary technological artefact and a speculative object, opening up the conversation on the socio-ethical implications of ubiquitous recording. It provides a glimpse into a future where digital devices are able to capture everything we see and hear, without manual operation. Alarmingly, many of these technologies already exist and are being implemented in a wide range of consumer electronics. Therefore, it is crucial to rethink our relationship with these types of technologies; how do we balance the benefits of ubiquitous recording with concerns about personal privacy and surveillance? And how do we maintain a healthy balance between reminiscing about the past and living in the present? Answering these questions will help us move towards a balanced and mindful digital future.