equipment$100–220used in 1 side quest
Portable digital field recorder with windscreen
Dedicated audio recorder with quality microphones and proper preamps that capture clean sound smartphones can't match. Records directly to memory card with manual level control.
What to look for
- 1Built-in stereo microphones with low self-noise (under -120dB)
- 2Manual gain control (auto-gain ruins field recordings)
- 3Records to SD card at 24-bit/48kHz minimum
- 4Included windscreen or deadcat (outdoor recordings need this)
Skip
- Units with only automatic level control (compresses dynamic range)
- Recorders requiring computer connection to save files
- Built-in mics without wind protection option
Used for: capturing high-quality environmental audio · recording interviews and field sounds · documenting urban soundscapes · collecting audio without smartphone compromises
Side quests that use it
Pick the adventure first; the gear follows.
