...::...::...::...::...::...
INFO
Contact mics are designed to pickup surface vibrations. That means that if you tape one to, say, a board, and step back and talk, the microphone most likely will not pick it up. But tap, scrape, or in some way touch the board and even the softest vibrations will be picked up.
+ Uses as microphones
These mics will work as pickups for acoustic instruments, but work best for more non-traditional uses. Freeze one in an ice cube and listen to it crack and melt. Tape it to all kinds of objects to make weird percussion sounds.
+ Uses as drum triggers
These also work great as drum or sample triggers. They can be plugged into a trigger to MIDI converter (Roland and Alesis make inexpensive units) or hooked up to a sampler or drum machine with a trigger input.
We will soon be releasing a kit for building trigger pads, complete with parts for making the contact mic and rubber pad.
+ Uses as sensors
The piezo elements in all the contact mics we carry generate voltage in a range of 0-5v, meaning they are ideal for sensor applications with microcontrollers like the ever-popular Arduino. Detect bumps and knocks as voltage spikes, or measure pressure or volume as variable voltage.
+ Custom orders
We welcome custom orders, whether it be longer cables, different plugs, or any other request. Please email with your ideas and we'll get a quote to you right away.
NEW! We now have black rubber for deluxe mics. When you want that sleek stealth-bomber look. To order, please include a request for black in the comments.
SHIPPING
We ship all mics USPS First Class Mail in a durable cardboard box.
If you are ordering from outside the US, please email first for shipping rates (usually $15-20 for Priority Mail).
...::...::...::...::...::...
BASIC CONTACT MIC
Starting at $20.00
An basic, uncoated contact mic.
- Three- or six-foot heavy duty shielded cable
- Standard 1/4" mono plug.
This is the bare-bones version of the deluxe. Works the same, but with no frills. For when you think you may destroy your mic, or if you want to stock up on the cheap.
If you are ordering from outside the US, please email first for shipping costs.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
DELUXE CONTACT MIC
Starting at $30.00
Contact mic dipped in a tough, waterproof rubber coating.
- Three- or six-foot heavy duty shielded cable
- Gold 1/4" mono plug
The most popular mic: the rubber coating means you can get this mic wet, freeze it in ice, etc. The coating also protects and reinforces the soldering and helps bond the mic together, making it much more durable than the basic mic.
Also available with black rubber - just add a comment when ordering.
If you are ordering from outside the US, please email first for shipping costs.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
CELLPHONE COMPATIBLE MIC
$35.00
Same as the deluxe mic, but with 1/8" (3.5mm) connector compatible with most cellphones
- Three-foot cable, thin and flexible
- Black, waterproof rubber coating for durability
- Four-pin 1/8" plug campanile with most cell phones (including the iPhone)
A convenient solution to dragging around recording equipment - use your cell phone to capture interesting sounds. An added bonus, using your phone allows for incognito recordings.
Fully tested with the iPhone, this mic should be compatible with any cell phone that accepts 1/8" (3.5mm) hands-free devices. Additionally, this mic works great with regular gear using a 1/8-to-1/4" mono adapter.
Please note: as far as my testing goes, this mic will
not work with a standard 1/8" jack. It should, but doesn't. Sorry!
Surprisingly, the iPhone's built-in "Voice Recorder"
app works great, recording lossless mono audio at 16 bit, 44.1kHz. Here are a few samples, recorded direct into the iPhone with no processing, amplification, or eq.
HEATER
A baseboard heater on a cold day
CORDLESS DRILL ON TABLE
The mic is taped to a table, as the drill itself was way too loud!
LAPTOP DVD PLAYER
Loading, starting, and ejecting (mic taped to the body of the laptop)
SEWING MACHINE
A sewing machine being controlled by the foot-pedal
If you are ordering from outside the US, please email first for shipping costs.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
CONTACT MIC KITS
Due to lack of interest, no longer available. If you would like to purchase kits for a workshop or course, please feel free to email.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
SOUND SAMPLES
All sampled recorded direct to M-Audio MicroTrack with the deluxe mic and no eq or effects, unless otherwise noted.
THE CLASSIC
A contact mic, frozen in a block of ice. The squeals and creaks recorded are very quiet, so some compression and EQ were added for clarity.
ACOUSTIC GUITAR
Taped to the top surface of a small, nylon-stringed acoustic guitar. This isn't the ideal use, but it does create an interesting sound.
TABLE TOP
Taped to the surface of a table. The table top was tapped, rubbed, scraped, and struck lightly with various objects.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
RECOMMENDATIONS and PRECAUTIONS
Because the contact microphone is picking up vibrations from the surface rather than air, the sounds it captures are not as "acoustic" as a regular microphone - there is a slight overemphasis on lower frequencies and a loss of higher pitches.
Contact microphones, due to their size and structure are somewhat fragile. All steps are taken to ensure their durability, including the soldering, cables, and in the case of the deluxe mic the rubber coating. However, rough handling, long-term exposure to cold and water, and "non-standard" uses can result in the microphones breaking.
Please be as careful as possible. They're pretty rugged little guys, but they have their limits.
We recommend using masking or "artists" tape to attach the mics. Duct tape is too strong, and you may damage the mic when removing the tape. Do not leave a mic taped to any object for more than a few days or you may leave a sticky residue that is difficult to remove. For permanent applications, we recommend using hot glue, which will not greatly dampen the sound and will bond much better than tape.
Also, please keep in mind that these mics, especially plugged directly into an amp, are really really really loud. Turn the amp all the way down, plug in the mic, and then find the appropriate level.
These mics come with a limited warranty:
Basically, if it arrives and doesn't work we'll replace it for free. If you use it and break it, sorry.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
CONTACT
mail@ContactMics.com
If you have any questions or would like to place a special order (different color rubber, special plugs, longer cables, etc) please feel free to send an email.
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
ABOUT
[performance at the Department of Safety, Anacortes, WA]
[the contact mic laboratory and studio, seen from the storage loft]
ContactMics.com is run by Jeff Thompson, an artist, musician, and teacher living in Lincoln, Nebraska where he teaches interdisciplinary digital media.
You can check out:
www.jeffreythompson.org - artwork, sound
www.myspace.com/jeffreythompson - music
www.texasfirehouse.org - alternative art and performance space
| top
...::...::...::...::...::...
