In the thrilling world of *Phasmophobia*, where ghost hunting is both an art and a science, the Parabolic Microphone stands out as one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal. If you're new to this game or haven't yet explored the full potential of this equipment, let’s delve into how to unlock and effectively use the Parabolic Microphone in your ghost-hunting endeavors.
How To Unlock Parabolic Microphone in Phasmophobia
Three tiers of Parabolic Microphones – Screenshot by The Escapist
Unlock and upgrade the Parabolic Microphone in the shop – Screenshot by The Escapist
The Parabolic Microphone falls into the category of Optional Equipment in *Phasmophobia*. Unlike standard gear, it isn’t automatically provided to your character. To add it to your ghostly toolkit, you must reach the necessary level and then purchase it through the game’s Shop portal.
Like all equipment in *Phasmophobia*, the Parabolic Microphone comes in three tiers, each increasing in quality and effectiveness. To unlock the first tier, you need to reach Level 7. Once there, head to the shop to integrate it into your equipment loadout, as shown in the images above.
The second tier becomes available at Level 31, costing $3,000 for the upgrade. The pinnacle, the third tier, is unlocked at Level 72 and requires a $5,000 investment.
Once unlocked, you can choose any tier of the Parabolic Microphone for your investigations, with the ability to carry up to two, irrespective of your team's size.
Keep in mind, if you decide to Prestige your character, resetting to Level 1 means you’ll need to unlock each tier of the Parabolic Microphone all over again, just like the rest of your equipment.
Related: Phasmophobia 2025 Roadmap & Preview
How To Use Parabolic Microphone in Phasmophobia
Screenshot by The Escapist
To deploy the Parabolic Microphone during your ghost-hunting contracts in *Phasmophobia*, you must first add it to your loadout via the Shop portal, ensuring it's available in the truck upon arrival. Note that in Challenge Mode, the preset loadout might not include the Parabolic Microphone.
Once on-site, select the Parabolic Microphone from the equipment wall in the truck to equip it. Use the designated button to toggle it on or off. If you're wielding the advanced tier 3 version, you'll also have access to a radar screen that pinpoints the source of sounds, as illustrated above.
Screenshot by The Escapist
On medium or large maps in *Phasmophobia*, the Parabolic Microphone becomes an invaluable asset for locating ghosts through auditory cues rather than relying solely on temperature gauges or EMF Readers. It picks up a range of ghostly noises, from object movements and door slams to the ghost's voice itself. This not only aids in pinpointing the ghost's location but can also fulfill Optional Objectives that require capturing the ghost's voice.
Moreover, certain ghost types like the Deogen or Banshee emit unique sounds that can only be detected with the Parabolic Microphone, providing crucial clues for identification.
This guide wraps up the essentials of using the Parabolic Microphone in *Phasmophobia*. For more tips, tricks, and the latest updates on the game, including guides on achievements and trophies, keep checking back with The Escapist.
Phasmophobia is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
