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Mark Vernon
Sounds of the Modern Hospital
Death Is Not The End - Cat No: DEATH121LP
- Release: 2026-02-27
- updated:2026-03-19
Mark Vernon, an electro-acoustic experimental musician from Glasgow, Scotland, known for his original and unique work, released “ "Sounds of the Modern Hospital," a masterpiece of field recordings made in a hospital featuring the latest medical equipment, has finally been reissued by Death Is Not The End with new artwork!!! (This is a limited-edition analog LP.)
Track List
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1. Full Blood Count Analyzer processing samples
01:14 -
2. QuickRinse automated instrument rinse system in operation
01:17 -
3. MRI Scan recorded through operator/patient intercom
01:46 -
4. Anaesthetic machine – valves shutting gas off
00:24 -
5. METI Human Patient Simulator - mannequin breathing (used in exercises by trainee medical staff)
00:45 -
6. SimMan Essential mannequin – pre-recorded coughs played back through in-built speakers
00:55 -
7. Heart rate and blood pressure monitor attached to mannequin
00:44 -
8. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment - speech therapy exercises with female patient
00:48 -
9. Haemoglobin A1C Analyzer processing samples
02:43 -
10. Anaesthetic machine - Two one-way valves rattle in tandem as patient inhales and exhales
01:48 -
11. Infusion Pump (Alaris Plus GH Care Fusion) – general alert / drive disengaged alert / empty alert
01:23 -
12. Heater fan (used to keep patients warm during anaesthetic procedures) – air from fan blowing across microphone
01:30 -
13. Phacoemulsifier – suction and ultrasound during cataract surgery – two perspectives
02:14 -
14. Manually restocking supplies in robotic pharmacy – two perspectives
01:08 -
15. CT scan (condensed time-span)
00:52 -
16. Pharmacy label printer
00:23 -
17. Dialysis machine in operation (with alerts)
00:41 -
18. Portable Ventilator (Draeger Oxylog 3000 plus) switched on and off
00:21 -
19. METI Human Patient Simulator – powering up of bellows that control mannequin’s artificial lungs
01:35 -
20. Dental X-ray machine rotations (Orthopantomograph OP 2000) recorded using electromagnetic induction coil microphone
00:16 -
21. Helium Cooler for MRI Scanner recorded through operator/patient intercom
00:51 -
22. Coagulation Analyzer in operation – with phone ringing in background
02:19 -
23. Bilateral Radial Pulse – METI HPS mannequin recorded with contact microphone
00:29 -
24. Ophthalmology – Visual field test
03:22 -
25. Automated slide-maker (Sysmex SP1000i) - making glass slides from samples
02:04 -
26. AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) robots in basement of hospital transporting waste and dirty linen
01:36 -
27. Ultrasound Doppler waves – Carotid artery pulse
01:18 -
28. Operating theatre – instrument check / heart rate and blood pressure monitor with surgical team discussing the next procedure
01:17 -
29. Automated Chemistry Analyzer (Beckman Coulter Access 2 Analyzer) - processing samples
00:45 -
30. Geiger counter (Berthold LB124) coming into proximity with source of radiation
00:20 -
31. Automated mailroom (OPEX Mail Matrix) - scanning and reading envelopes / i-BOTS distributing mail to bins
01:38 -
32. Wall mounted suction unit
00:37 -
33. Dialysis machine in operation – close up of pumps
01:57
>> 16bit/44.1khz [wav/flac/aiff/alac/mp3]
All recordings were made by Mark Vernon between 2011 and 2013 at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Laith, the Stirling Community Hospital, and the Falkirk Community Hospital, and include MRI scans, anesthesia machines, the breathing of human patient simulators and mannequins, heart rate and blood pressure monitors attached to mannequins, voice therapy devices, phacoemulsification and aspiration devices, visual field tests, Doppler ultrasound sounds, manual restocking in a robotic pharmacy, pharmacy label printers, the operational sounds of dialysis machines, dental X-ray machines, and even the sound of a Geiger counter approaching a radiation source—this album features 33 sound recordings produced by cutting-edge medical equipment that are also superb examples of contemporary electronic music. It stands as a masterpiece among field recording works with unique themes. I highly recommend this album.
The recordings included here were made between 2011 and 2013. I am very curious to hear what the cutting-edge medical devices will sound like in 2026, 15 years from now, having evolved further.
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(From the label information)
While every effort was made to record in as isolated an environment as possible, the audio on this record was recorded in actual, operational hospitals rather than controlled environments. As a result, unavoidable background noise, conversations, and other extraneous sounds may occasionally be heard. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)