Packing Sound: My Field Recording Kit and the Art of Listening
The Art of Listening in a New Landscape.
Before dawn, the rainforest hums. The air is thick with moisture, and unseen creatures stir beneath the canopy. This is what I’m after—not just sounds, but the pulse of a place. In a few weeks, I’ll be traveling to Puerto Rico to capture the deep soundscape of the island: the calls of coquí frogs, the rustling palms along the coast, and the underwater world teeming with life.
This journey is about more than just recording—it's about listening. About understanding a place through its sonic presence. I’ll be bringing a carefully selected set of gear to document everything from rainforest atmospheres to the hidden sounds beneath the waves. Here’s a look at what I’m packing and what I hope to discover.
My Field Recording Kit: What I’m Bringing & Why
Recorders & Sound Gear
Tascam PortaCapture X6 – A versatile recorder, perfect for both built-in mics and line-in sources. It records with 32-bit float for clear, flexible sound quality.
Hydrophone HY-03 + Hydrophone Amplifier HY-11 (H-Instruments) – To capture the mysteries beneath the water's surface. This is a small, rechargable, high quality hydrophone with a built in high impedance and high gain pre-amplifier - for optimum use with with high impedance hydrophones.
Bubblebee Windkiller SE – Essential for the rainforest—this keeps recordings clear, even in the midst of strong winds.
Shure SE215 Pro In-Ear Monitors – Perfect for isolating sounds and making sure everything I capture is pristine and true to life.
Camera & Visuals
GoPro HERO 13 BLACK + ND Filter Kit – Ideal for capturing the visual textures of the landscape while keeping my hands free to focus on sound.
iPhone 11 – Sometimes, the best shots happen spontaneously—this gives me the flexibility to capture those fleeting moments.
Tripods & Stability
GoPro Handle/Tripod – Stability is key for capturing clean, steady recordings, even when on the move.
Manfrotto PIXI Mini Aluminum Table Top Tripod. I’ve had this for years, it’s almost pocket sized, and offers easy stability on rough terrrain.
HPUSN 55-inch Extendable Aluminum Tripod Stand - Lightweight and travel friendly, this is perhaps a bit light duty for extreme scenarios, but for my GoPro, field recorder or iPhone it works a charm.
Protection & Power
Pelican M60 Micro Case & EarthPak Waterproof Dry Bag – These will keep my gear safe from moisture, whether I’m trekking through the rainforest or paddling a kayak.
Anker Powerbank (10,000mAh) – With long days of recording ahead, having reliable backup power is essential.
Barska Reusable Dehumidifier – To prevent moisture buildup inside my cases in the humid climate.
Sensei Microfiber Lens Cloth – To keep camera lenses and mics free of moisture.
Field Essentials
Marmot Lightweight All-Weather Shell – Practical protection for both me and my gear against the unpredictable rainforest weather.
Fjallraven Kanken Rucksack – Comfort and practicality for carrying my gear while I explore.
What I Hope to Capture
Puerto Rico offers a vast range of sonic textures, and I’m especially excited about three key environments:
🌿 Rainforest Ambience – The dense, layered sound of El Yunque’s biodiversity, from insects to rare birds.
🌊 Coastal & Ocean Sounds – Waves breaking on volcanic rock, shifting sands, and the hidden rhythms of tide pools.
🐠 Underwater Soundscapes – Using the hydrophone to reveal what’s beneath the surface—maybe even snapping shrimp or distant whale calls.
This trip is as much about deep listening as it is about recording. By immersing myself in these soundscapes, I hope to uncover new ways to connect with place and time through sound.
Join the Journey
Want to hear Puerto Rico’s rainforest before anyone else? Subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive early recordings, behind-the-scenes insights, and a free ambient track from the trip.
📩 Sign up here to be part of the experience. Have you heard my latest album Green Green Earth yet?
Also, I’d love to hear from you—what’s the most unforgettable sound you’ve ever heard in nature? Drop a comment below or reply to my newsletter with your story.
Excited to share this journey with you!
-Matthew
