Field Notes - Field Recording Logbook

 

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Field Notes is a data-logging tool to help field recordists keep track of important information and metadata while recording. Entry details include file name, date, location, time, recorder, gain, mics, lo-cut, and a lined section for any additional notes (environment settings, species, type of sfx, etc.) Field Notes will help keep your recordings organized, help you record better metadata, and create a physical memory of your recording adventures as you fill up its pages.

What’s Inside

Each entry in my logbook typically includes:

• Date & Time
• Location (with GPS or description)
• Recording Notes (gear setup, mic placement, levels)
• Personal Observations (why I was drawn to that sound, or the story behind it)

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.

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.