When ghost hunting in Phasmophobia, a team of paranormal investigators needs to firs narrow down the ghost's primary location in the house or abandoned building. Phasmophobia pits a team of four ghost hunters against often malevolent spirits. The team needs to find and identify the Ghost and avoid its hunting phases or risk being killed and losing both equipment and pay for the gig. There are a few industry tools ghost hunters in Phasmophobia can purchase and use to find the Ghost room and begin collecting enough evidence to identify the creature doing the haunting, like Cameras, EMF Readers, and Spirit Boxes. If the team is investigating a larger, more advanced map, they may want to purchase and use the Parabolic Microphone.
The Parabolic Microphone is stronger, portable version of the Sound Sensor item that can detect sounds through walls and across long distances. Where the Sound Sensors are useful when searching for a ghost on the smaller maps, the Sound Sensor is excellent for narrowing a Ghost's location within the High School, Asylum, or Prison maps. When it's turned on, the Parabolic Microphone can detect ghostly footsteps and other noises up to 30 meters away. Players will need to be careful when using it, however, as it can also pick up other ambient, non-Ghost sounds that can ruin the reading. Here's how to use the Parabolic Microphone to find the Ghost room in Phasmophobia.
How to Use the Parabolic Microphone to Find the Ghost Room in Phasmophobia
To get a Parabolic Microphone in Phasmophobia, players need to have reached Level 7 and have $50. They will need to purchase this equipment after making money from other investigations and prior to starting a new investigation. A team can bring two with them to any investigation.
The teammate holding the Parabolic Microphone will see a number displayed on it, usually between 1.0 and 3.0. These numbers measure the combined sound detected in the area 30 meters long and 6 meters wide from the player's position. This will not update immediately and takes a few seconds to reflect changes if the player moves or the Ghost makes a sound. Higher numbers indicate the microphone is picking up other sounds beyond those made by the Ghost.
The Parabolic Microphone has some well-documented sensitivity issues, and it is not always the most reliable tool for finding the Ghost room. If it picks up multiple sound sources within the area where it is pointed, these add up and may give the team an inflated reading. To have the best chance of success using this tool, the player holding the microphone should go ahead of their teammates into the building and always be the first person to enter a new area. Other teammates should hang back and remain as quiet as possible.
Typically, players are most likely to get a reading from a Ghost's footsteps, which can be heard through the walls up to 30 meters away. However, the Parabolic Microphone also picks up other Ghost-made sounds, including:
- Doors opening or closing
- Thrown objects
- Sinks turning on or off
- Fuse Box turning on or off
- Motion Sensors activating
- Items being knocked off walls
In addition, the mic will also pick up these player-made or non-Ghost sounds:
- Car alarm
- EMF Reader
- Spirit Box
- Camera Shutter
- Lighter flick
- Ouija Board
- Sanity Pills
- Talking
- Salt
- Thermometer
- Flashlights
It is best to limit these ambient, non-Ghost noises so the microphone only picks up sounds specifically made by the Ghost and helps the team find the right room. On the larger maps, where teams are more likely to use the Parabolic Microphone, any false readings can cause players to waste precious time that may leave them vulnerable to a sudden Hunting Phase. Players can follow the readings on the microphone to narrow down the Ghost room. Generally, as the reading gets higher, sounds are compounding, and the team is getting closer to the Ghost.
The Parabolic Microphone is most essential on large Phasmophobia maps due to its range and portability. On the smaller maps, players should consider using the Sound Sensors instead. These can be placed in rooms around the map and monitored for activity from the van. They have a more limited range that can help the team pinpoint the Ghost's location within a smaller area.
Phasmophobia is in Steam Early Access and is available for PC.