The Sonic Resonator blueprint unlocks after scanning 2 broken fragments in the world. Both fragments can be found inside the Old Habitat, an abandoned base north-northwest of the Lifepod. This guide covers the location, the crafting recipe, what it enables, and the later Feedback Resonator upgrade.
The Sonic Resonator is a mid-game tool that fires a concussive blast. It breaks large ore deposits (Titanium, Copper, Quartz, Enamel, Celestine, and others) and clears Bloom Biofilm — white viral growths that clog cave passages and infect Angel Combs. It is a required step toward the Heat Tolerance Adaptation.
Requirements
Before searching for Sonic Resonator fragments, make sure you have:
| Requirement | How to Get It |
|---|---|
| Scanner | Craft at Fabricator — 2 Titanium + 2 Quartz + 1 Basic Battery |
| Survival Multitool | Craft at Fabricator — 3 Titanium |
| Basic Battery (spare) | Craft at Fabricator — 2 Copper + 1 Acidic Raion Pouch |
The Scanner is essential — you need it to scan every fragment. The Survival Multitool is needed to collect Acidic Raion Pouches for spare batteries. If you have not crafted these yet, see the Scanner to Habitat Builder guide first.
The Old Habitat is also where NOA directs you during the Quaker blackbox signal objective, so following that story marker will lead you to the same location.
Fragment Location — Old Habitat
Both fragments are inside a single abandoned base called the Old Habitat, north-northwest of the Lifepod.
- Direction: North-northwest of the Lifepod
- Landmark: An abandoned base structure on the seafloor
- Entrance: Enter through the underwater hatch at the back of the lower building
- Signal cue: Follow NOA’s Quaker blackbox objective — it points to the same base
Fragment 1 — Right of the Entrance
Once inside, the first fragment is immediately to your right, sitting on a shelf.
Fragment 2 — Next Corridor
Continue into the next room or corridor. The second fragment is on the floor, near an overturned table or shelving.
Both fragments are inside the same base, so you only need to reach one location to complete the unlock. If you cannot find one of them, check every room — the base is small and both pieces are in the entry area.
Alternative Locations
Other Sonic Resonator fragments exist in the world if you happen to explore before reaching the Old Habitat:
- Spider Dome: Southwest of the Lifepod. Look under the dome near a tipped-over crate.
- Metal Platform: Southwest-west of the Lifepod. On a platform with boxes and chests, inside a white container.
These alternatives are useful if you find them during exploration, but the Old Habitat route is the most reliable way to complete the unlock.
Scan Checklist
- Equip the Scanner on your hotbar
- Head north-northwest to the Old Habitat
- Enter through the back of the lower building
- Scan Fragment 1 on the shelf to your right
- Scan Fragment 2 on the floor in the next corridor
- Check the Fabricator — the Sonic Resonator recipe should now appear
- Gather materials and craft the Sonic Resonator
2 scans from two different targets complete the unlock.
Crafting the Sonic Resonator
After scanning both fragments, the recipe appears in the Fabricator (note: you need a Fabricator built in your base — the Lifepod unit does not have this recipe).
Recipe
| Material | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Battery | 1 | Craft at Fabricator — 2 Copper + 1 Acidic Raion Pouch |
| Titanium Ingot | 2 | Craft at Processor — 3 Titanium per ingot, ~30 seconds each |
| Lead | 2 | Mined from lead deposits (see below) |
| Wiring Kit | 1 | Craft at Fabricator — 1 Copper Wire (2 Copper) + 1 Silver |
Material Tips
- Titanium Ingots require the Processor, which you can scan at the Old Habitat. Build the Processor in your base, feed it 3 Titanium per ingot, and wait about 30 seconds per ingot.
- Lead can be found as loose pieces and deposits in caves near the Old Habitat and the Camp One point of interest. Check the deep gorges and ravines in that area.
- Silver Ore for the Wiring Kit is found in small rocks on the deep ocean floor. Try searching northeast of the Lifepod or near the Old Habitat caves.
What the Sonic Resonator Unlocks
Once crafted, the Sonic Resonator lets you:
| Use | Description |
|---|---|
| Break large ore nodes | Titanium, Copper, Quartz, Enamel, Celestine, and other large deposits — the Multitool cannot crack these. |
| Clear Bloom Biofilm | Destroy white viral growths (Bloom Cankers) that clog cave passages and infect marine life. |
| Progress toward Heat Tolerance | Clearing Bloom Cankers from infected Angel Combs unlocks the Heat Tolerance Adaptation, allowing you to explore high-temperature zones to the east. |
| Stun small hostiles | The concussive blast can briefly stun smaller aggressive creatures. |
How to Use
Equip the Sonic Resonator, hold the fire button to charge a shot, and release when the reticle turns green. Aim for the center of large ore nodes or Bloom Cankers for best results.
Upgrade: Feedback Resonator
Later in the game, you can upgrade the Sonic Resonator to a Feedback Resonator at the Modification Station.
Feedback Resonator Recipe
| Material | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Resonator | 1 | The base tool (consumed in the upgrade) |
| Enameled Glass | 2 | Craft from Glass + Creature Enamel |
| Conduit Crystal | 2 | Found near Angel Comb tendrils in corrupted areas |
| Strontium | 2 | Manufactured in the Processor using Celestine |
The Feedback Resonator fires sonic projectiles from a distance, allowing you to destroy armoured Bloom Cankers that retract when approached. It is required for the fourth Angel Comb Adaptation, which lets you understand alien language.
Feedback Resonator Fragment Locations
If you need to unlock the Feedback Resonator blueprint first, fragments can be found in:
- Cicada Wreck: Near the Singh blackbox objective, roughly east-southeast of the Alien Ruins marker
- Metal Farms: Northeast of the Angel Comb, near glowing green pools — watch for hostile creatures in the area
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Only scanning 1 fragment | You need exactly 2. Both are in the Old Habitat. | Visit the Old Habitat and scan both pieces before leaving. |
| Recipe not appearing after scanning 2 | Rare — double-check you scanned 2 different targets. | Return to the base Fabricator and check the Tools tab. |
| Trying to craft at the Lifepod Fabricator | The Lifepod unit does not show all recipes. | Build a Fabricator in your base first. |
| Missing Titanium Ingot recipe | The Processor blueprint is separate. | Scan the broken Processor at the Old Habitat. |
| Cannot find Lead | Lead deposits look different from common Titanium nodes. | Search deep gorges near the Old Habitat and cave floors near Camp One. |
Next Steps
With the Sonic Resonator crafted, your next goals are:
- Clear Bloom Biofilm from Angel Combs to unlock Heat Tolerance Adaptation
- Collect Sulfur in high-temperature zones for the Repair Tool and other recipes
- Upgrade to the Feedback Resonator for long-range Bloom Canker clearing
- Follow NOA objectives to reach the Alien Ruins and beyond
See the Repair Tool Fragment Locations guide for the next tool you should build, or return to the Beginner Guide for a broader early-game overview.