A magnetic field recording system includes a headgear for a user; optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) disposed in or on the headgear to detect magnetic fields and, in response to the detection, produce magnetic field data; at least one sensing modality including an optical sensing modality having at least one light source and at least one camera or light detector to receive light reflected or directed from the user and to produce an optical data stream; a tracking unit to receive the optical data stream and track a position or orientation of the headgear or user; a system controller to control operation of the OPMs and receive, from the tracking unit, the position or orientation of the headgear or user; and a processor to receive the optical data stream and the magnetic field data from the OPMs and analyze the magnetic field data using the optical data stream for validation.