Free to Use Field Recording Logbook

Documenting the Sounds of the World, One Moment at a Time

Field recording is more than just capturing sound—it’s a way of preserving time, place, and presence. My Field Recording Logbook is a personal archive, a companion to my microphone, and a reflection of the many environments I encounter in my travels. It’s where rustling leaves, distant thunder, laughter in alleyways, or the subtle hum of a late-night train station are documented with intention and care.

Why I Keep a Logbook

Every sound tells a story. But memory is fragile. The logbook helps me track not only where and when a sound was captured, but also the emotions and context behind it. I jot down details that a microphone can’t catch: the weather, the people nearby, my mood, the gear I used, and what caught my attention in that moment. It turns each recording into a full sensory memory.

What’s Inside

Each entry in my logbook typically includes:

• Date & Time
• Location (with GPS or description)
• Environmental Conditions (weather, time of day, season)
• Recording Notes (gear setup, mic placement, levels)
• Sounds Captured (e.g., “early morning birdsong with distant traffic hum”)
• Personal Observations (why I was drawn to that sound, or the story behind it)
• Sketches or Photos (when possible, to complement the audio)

Some entries are clean and structured. Others are chaotic scribbles written on the move. But all of them help me return to that place through sound.

The Logbook as a Creative Tool

The logbook fuels my work across different platforms—YouTube videos, soundscapes for Nomadic Soundscapes, and future audio storytelling projects. It also helps me notice patterns in sound I might have otherwise missed. Over time, it becomes a sonic map of where I’ve been, and a spark for where I want to go next.

Analog Meets Digital

Though much of my work is digital, the logbook is often handwritten. There’s something grounding about pen on paper while sitting in the field, listening. Later, I digitize select entries to keep everything organized and searchable, especially when preparing uploads or building ambient albums.

Invitation to Listen Differently

My Field Recording Logbook is more than a diary—it’s a lens through which I view the world. It reminds me that sound is everywhere and always changing. Whether it’s the crackle of a campfire in the Scottish Highlands or the rhythmic chants from a market in Marrakech, I record not just to listen again, but to feel again.