Behind the Sounds: The Recording Gear I Use for Urban Windows
If you’ve ever wondered what gear I use to record the rain, thunderstorms, city traffic, and ambient sounds featured on Urban Windows. The truth is, there isn't one perfect setup. I switch between different microphones and recorders depending on what I'm trying to capture, or sometimes I simply use whatever happens to be in my pocket at the time.
From left to right, the gear in the photo includes:
iPhone Voice Memos App
Sennheiser e614 Super-Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Sennheiser MKE 400 Directional Shotgun Microphone
Zoom H4n Pro Field Recorder
Tascam Portacapture X8 Field Recorder
It All Started With a Terrible Phone
Believe it or not, the oldest videos on this channel, including the most viewed videos I've ever uploaded ( Heavy Rain with Street Traffic ) were recorded with a Samsung Galaxy S5. Let's be honest: the camera wasn't great, the audio wasn't great, and by today's standards it was a pretty terrible recording device. But I wanted to record some sleep sounds for myself, so I used what I had available. That old Galaxy S5 ended up starting the journey that eventually became Urban Windows.
These days I carry an iPhone, and when I'm recording in public places where I don't want to attract attention, I'll often open the Voice Memos app and let it record. The audio quality isn't amazing, but with a little cleanup in post-production it can sound surprisingly good. Sometimes the best microphone is simply the one that's already in your pocket.
Sennheiser e614: Capturing the Details
The Sennheiser e614 is a super-cardioid condenser microphone that connects directly to my field recorders using an XLR cable. What makes this microphone special is its ability to focus on sounds directly in front of it while ignoring sounds coming from the sides and rear. That makes it perfect for recording specific details such as raindrops hitting pavement, water dripping from rooftops, or rain tapping against a window.
I rarely use it as my primary microphone for recording entire storms. Instead, I use it to capture small sound effects that I can layer into a larger recording later. Adding these close-up details helps create a richer and more immersive listening experience.
Sennheiser MKE 400: Small, Simple, and Reliable
When I want a lightweight setup, I reach for the Sennheiser MKE 400. This compact shotgun microphone mounts directly on my mirrorless camera or iphone and delivers excellent audio without requiring a complicated setup. Because it's highly directional, it focuses on sounds in front of the camera while reducing sounds from the sides, behind, and above.
That can be both a blessing and a curse. On the positive side, it helps reduce unwanted noises, such as raindrops hitting the umbrella I'm using to protect my gear. On the downside, it can miss some of the surrounding ambience that helps make a location feel alive.
One of my favorite things about the MKE 400 is its versatility. I can use it with both my mirrorless camera and my iPhone, making it a great tool for recording on the go. If you're a YouTube creator looking for a quality shotgun microphone, I highly recommend it. It's not the cheapest option available, but the audio quality is excellent, the wind protection works surprisingly well, and Sennheiser gear is built to last.
🚚 Check out the MKE400 on Amazon
The only thing missing from my dream setup? A Sennheiser field recorder.
Zoom H4n Pro: The Field Recorder That Built This Channel
The Zoom H4n Pro was the first field recorder I ever purchased back in 2018, and it has recorded the majority of the videos on this channel. In fact I still have a ton of rain recordings I made with it that haven’t even been edited yet.
For years, it has been my go-to recorder. It features two XLR inputs for external microphones, easy-to-use controls, and excellent audio quality for a recorder in its price range. The built-in stereo microphones are arranged in a A/B configuration. You can see in the image how the two mics are pointed towards each other at the top of the recorder. This is great for recording sounds in front of the recorder but don’t really create much stereo separation. Unlike highly directional microphones, these built-in mics are designed to capture sounds from all around the recorder. That's exactly what you want when you're trying to recreate the feeling of standing in the middle of a rainy city street at night.
🚚 This recorder has been discontinued but you can check out the upgraded model on Amazon
Tascam Portacapture X8: My New Favorite Recorder
Earlier this year I decided it was time for an upgrade, and after a lot of research I chose the Tascam Portacapture X8. The biggest feature that attracted me was 32-bit float recording. In simple terms, it gives me much more flexibility when recording unpredictable sounds. Whether it's a sudden thunderclap or a loud truck rumbling down the street, I have far less worry about ruining a recording because the audio clipped. The X8 also includes a large touchscreen interface that makes navigating settings much easier than older recorders. Another huge advantage is USB-C power. Instead of constantly feeding it AA batteries, I can connect a battery bank and record for long periods without interruption.
The big thing for me is that the stereo microphones can be configured in different positions depending on the type of sound you're recording. In the image above I have them setup in the X/Y configuration pointed away from each other. When set up this way, they create a more immersive stereo sound, allowing sounds to move naturally from one side of the listener to the other. For example, you might hear a car approaching in your right ear, pass directly in front of you, and then fade away into your left ear. Small details like that make recordings feel much more realistic and engaging.
Tascam also includes recording presets for different situations, including city ambience and even ASMR recording modes. The ASMR preset is fantastic for capturing close-up details like raindrops on windows or water trickling down surfaces.
The only thing I wish it had is waterproofing. Considering how often my gear ends up getting splashed, or generally being exposed to the elements, waterproofing would be a very welcome feature. Until then, I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope it survives my adventures.
The Future
This is the gear i’m using in 2026. As the channel grows I hope to add new mics to my kit to enhance your listening experience. I’ve got my eye on the Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3 Super-Cardioid Shotgun Tube Condenser Microphone. I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about this mic. It’s picks up a lot of detailed sounds. It’s been the standard go-to mic in most Hollywood movies for years.
Hope you enjoyed that little look into the gear I use to record audio. Subscribe to the channel to hear what I’ve created with them.
