We are ready to begin recording audio, with both the aesthetic and technical direction entirely up to us. We can slate as needed or record longer files to edit in post-production. We have the flexibility to record directly into ProTools or use a field recorder, depending on our needs. Using your cell phone as a field recorder allows for mobility and the ability to capture audio in various locations, though it may not offer the same quality as a dedicated microphone. Additionally, you'll need to transfer the audio files back to your computer. Alternatively, recording directly into ProTools in a studio setup provides a controlled and acoustically treated environment, ensuring consistent audio quality. Each method has its own set of pros and cons, allowing us to choose the best approach for our project. ## Recording Audio Using a Field Recorder You've learned a lot of microphone techniques so far, but you may not have access to a wide variety of high-quality microphones just yet. Despite this, one of the most important concepts in recording that we haven't discussed in detail is placement. The position of the microphone in the room can greatly influence the sound. Simply placing a field recorder or cell phone in the correct position can yield excellent results. Cell phone microphones are small diaphragm condenser microphones with an omnidirectional polar pattern, meaning they pick up sound equally from all directions. However, omnidirectional microphones can become more directional at higher frequencies, so it's still beneficial to point the microphone in the right direction. Unlike directional microphones, omnidirectional microphones don't experience the proximity effect, which means they pick up low frequencies at the same volume regardless of how close you are to the source. However, you can experiment to see how this applies in your recordings. Have fun, and collect some great sounds! ## Recording Audio Using An Audio Interface Revisit the first section of the [Playback Engine Page]($WIKI_REFERENCE$/pages/g56914a4afc00f28f4ec8067dcde62c40) to gain a better understanding of how an audio interface works. Also, review the sections on [Record Enabling and Record]($WIKI_REFERENCE$/pages/g78dda7a387d41c84a206040c3c2c60f7?module_item_id=g63efb50375e109e000d52642498aaf83) to learn how to record audio into Pro Tools. Remember, since you are recording onto an audio track, ensure the track type is set to audio, not instrument or MIDI. Watch this video for a detailed explanation on how to properly configure your session for recording: