This was a surprisingly useful presentation. I have a couple of hobby projects utilising piezzo mics (hydrophone and horror-box) and I knew bare piezzo mic overcompensates on high frequencies in regards to what i want, but there is no data on how much to insulate the mic (versus the surface versus the material versus the resonant chamber) for more balanced output. I intended to stick mine on top of the insulation tape, but from your test I prefered the audio from the hot glue backed mic better. Thanks! 👍
On of my fav tools is the LOM Audio Geofón I bet you would like them. They are stupid sensitive geophone sensors really go on the super low end and I bet paired with a Piezo would rock. Thanks for sharing.
How to turn an ordinary buzzer into the most professional surface contact microphone possible? Just a 34 mm piezo disk alone provides how many dB? How much can it amplify a sound or noise? Thank you very much.
Hey, sou in order to make a really good sounding contact mic you will have to think about these things: impedance matching (using a preamp), physical construction of the mic (to eliminate resonance), shielding from electromagnetic interference (best done with copper tape, although I never use it). You can use a regular piezo disc, or a buzzer. IDK how much dB amplification you will get, but with the right setup it will be able to amplify really quiet sounds, such as ants walking :) I would say that number one most important thing is to use a preamp, there is a few commercial piezo preamps, and a lot of DIY options. Check these links out for more information: www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/the-first-rule-of-contact-mic-club www.zachpoff.com/resources/building-contact-mics/ www.logosfoundation.org/g_texts/Orfeus/preamps/piezo_disks.html
If you use operational amplifiers as your preamp, you can select the gain as well as the input/output impedance by changing the values of resistors you use.
I was hoping you’d stretch the spring out and take turns attaching the mic to the spring (daub if glue?) and then striking the spring. Interesting hearing the sound of very long steel cable (suspended) being struck. More please.
hi, I am very late with my response, but there is a lot of videos here how to make one, or you can follow instructions such as this www.zachpoff.com/resources/building-contact-mics/
All contact mics were plugged into Radial Engineering StageBug SB-4 Piezo preamps, and recorded with a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2n Generation sound card with the same gain on each channel.
I've been doing some research on piezo transducer placement. Covering the piezo is the worst scenario. It dampens it a lot cuting it's ability to pickup and overall gain. Even thick wires dampens the piezo. Glueing the whole piezo surface is a no no approach. Also very dampening. Keep the piezo with a gap of 1mm to the instrument attaching it only on a small portion on the oposite side of the wires. Attach a counter weight on top of the piezo on the wires side. You won't believe how a piezo can be full sounding and balaced with lows and highs
I'm working on finding the best setup for a 42 string harp. Your findings are interesting and helpful. I was thinking I don't want to cause any muffling of the disc, but at the same time reduce "tinny-ness" and scratching noises picked up through the wood. Having a 1mm gap would likely help with that without muddying the sounds. How to accomplish that reliably and securely is an interesting problem too. If you have any more to share on this or what you've tried, I'd be glad to see or hear it. I'll be doing my own testing once a few more components come in. Planning to try multiple methods similar to what @tindozic1221 has shown in this vid.
@@Z06Stingray18 Smaller piezo tend to be more balanced in tone. My current design involves attaching the piezo in one extremity and putting a counterweight on the other end (the cable side). I'm still in the process of researching my own solutions. This is such a delicate element, one small tweak and it's worlds of diference.
that was unbelievably satisfying..
same
The spring is superb with “A” tuned transducter work like an music instrument.
This was a surprisingly useful presentation. I have a couple of hobby projects utilising piezzo mics (hydrophone and horror-box) and I knew bare piezzo mic overcompensates on high frequencies in regards to what i want, but there is no data on how much to insulate the mic (versus the surface versus the material versus the resonant chamber) for more balanced output. I intended to stick mine on top of the insulation tape, but from your test I prefered the audio from the hot glue backed mic better. Thanks! 👍
The "naked" and hot glued elements combined sound just like a stethoscope.
The large spring reverb sounds awesome
Second one sounds best to me
On of my fav tools is the LOM Audio Geofón I bet you would like them. They are stupid sensitive geophone sensors really go on the super low end and I bet paired with a Piezo would rock. Thanks for sharing.
I have the LOM Geofon and love it! I’ve put it on everything so far, and they do work best in combination with a good piezo.
How to turn an ordinary buzzer into the most professional surface contact microphone possible? Just a 34 mm piezo disk alone provides how many dB? How much can it amplify a sound or noise? Thank you very much.
Hey, sou in order to make a really good sounding contact mic you will have to think about these things: impedance matching (using a preamp), physical construction of the mic (to eliminate resonance), shielding from electromagnetic interference (best done with copper tape, although I never use it). You can use a regular piezo disc, or a buzzer. IDK how much dB amplification you will get, but with the right setup it will be able to amplify really quiet sounds, such as ants walking :) I would say that number one most important thing is to use a preamp, there is a few commercial piezo preamps, and a lot of DIY options. Check these links out for more information:
www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/the-first-rule-of-contact-mic-club
www.zachpoff.com/resources/building-contact-mics/
www.logosfoundation.org/g_texts/Orfeus/preamps/piezo_disks.html
@@tindozic1221 Excellent. I'll check now. And I can't wait to get to work. Thanks for the advice.
If you use operational amplifiers as your preamp, you can select the gain as well as the input/output impedance by changing the values of resistors you use.
from the video, the bare one sounds closest to human ear hearing. what's your thought?
Nice experimentation! Phil Studio approved! ^-^
By the way, amazing piezo pre-amp. I'm thinking maybe on designing one, could be a great project!
@@ThePhilStudio hey check out logos foundation piezo preamp guide, amazing! www.logosfoundation.org/g_texts/Orfeus/preamps/piezo_disks.html
thanks for the vid, very useful
Do you have a collection somewhere with all the sounds that you've recorded in .wav (or .aiff/.flac)?
Very useful! Thank you!!!
I was hoping you’d stretch the spring out and take turns attaching the mic to the spring (daub if glue?) and then striking the spring.
Interesting hearing the sound of very long steel cable (suspended) being struck.
More please.
I'm confused. What makes those taps sound so different?
I would be very interested to do diy video where you show how you made your piezo.❤
hi, I am very late with my response, but there is a lot of videos here how to make one, or you can follow instructions such as this www.zachpoff.com/resources/building-contact-mics/
does different size have impact on sound?
Dude, that's amazing! Does it really make it sound better if you cover it with glue?!
How you amplified the signal from the piezoelectric elements?
All contact mics were plugged into Radial Engineering StageBug SB-4 Piezo preamps, and recorded with a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 2n Generation sound card with the same gain on each channel.
@@tindozic1221 Thanks for the explanation.
I really dont know what to do with that information but thanks for sharing
The middle one seems to give the fullest sound to me, what is it?
just a diy piezo with some hot glue on it
are the piezzo homemade ? the second one with glue in the middle sounds great to me
yes, the first two are homemade, the third one is a JrFC-series contact mic
thanks ! (sorry, i didn't saw it was on the description)
do you consider the JrFC-series contact mic as a good / better one for the price ?
@@bbburito for sure. Jrf c series has les of handling noise and less audible resonance compared to these diy ones.
I've been doing some research on piezo transducer placement.
Covering the piezo is the worst scenario. It dampens it a lot cuting it's ability to pickup and overall gain. Even thick wires dampens the piezo.
Glueing the whole piezo surface is a no no approach. Also very dampening. Keep the piezo with a gap of 1mm to the instrument attaching it only on a small portion on the oposite side of the wires. Attach a counter weight on top of the piezo on the wires side.
You won't believe how a piezo can be full sounding and balaced with lows and highs
I'm working on finding the best setup for a 42 string harp. Your findings are interesting and helpful. I was thinking I don't want to cause any muffling of the disc, but at the same time reduce "tinny-ness" and scratching noises picked up through the wood. Having a 1mm gap would likely help with that without muddying the sounds. How to accomplish that reliably and securely is an interesting problem too.
If you have any more to share on this or what you've tried, I'd be glad to see or hear it. I'll be doing my own testing once a few more components come in. Planning to try multiple methods similar to what @tindozic1221 has shown in this vid.
@@Z06Stingray18 Smaller piezo tend to be more balanced in tone. My current design involves attaching the piezo in one extremity and putting a counterweight on the other end (the cable side). I'm still in the process of researching my own solutions. This is such a delicate element, one small tweak and it's worlds of diference.
Also a DI is a must for passive piezo (no active preamp). Their impedance is so hi if you put it direct to a mixer it will sound thin and dull.
Interesting