Contact Microphones
Contact microphones sense sound vibrations through contact with solid objects. They are almost completely insensitive to airborne sounds.
This high impedance is not well matched for field recorder mic inputs and can cause them to sound tinny and lacking bass without a matching preamp.
Most manufacturers will offer contact microphones with and without matching preamps, so make sure you get one with a matching preamp. The difference is dramatic.
Best Budget
Cortado MKII Contact Microphone Kit
If you’re proficient at soldering and are interested in DIY projects, the Cortado MKII Kit is a great way to save some money and have an incredible contact microphone.
Included in the kit is a phantom powered preamp for lowering the impedance to match most field recorders.
Best Overall
Cortado MKIII Contact Microphone
The Cortado MKIII Contact Microphone is essentially the same mic as the DIY kit above but features DIP switches for bass boost and pads.
It comes fully assembled, sounds great, and has very low self noise.
