Introduction: $3 Contact Mic
In a nutshell, I didn't want to buy a contact mic and I like making things. To do what I did, you must first acquire the following:
piezo conductor - I got 5 for a buck on Ebay.
Wires - I recycled mine from a toy but insulate copper wire is cheap.
1/4' stereo jack - another dollar on ebay but you can get them in lots of 3-5 for the same amount.
clear plastic container - I used an old peanut butter container but really, anything works.
Soldiering pen and skills. Self explanatory.
Its simple:
Red wire goes from middle part of piezo to the contact for the long piece on the stereo jack. This is the + hot wire. The black wire goes from the outer ring of the piezo to the other contact on the stereo jack. this is the - ground wire.
I drilled a hole in the side of the container for the jack and the bottom for the contact mic, then attached them. Its a rough piece but its a prototype. Now you just plug a cable into it, connect your recording device, and go!
You can see it in action here:
piezo conductor - I got 5 for a buck on Ebay.
Wires - I recycled mine from a toy but insulate copper wire is cheap.
1/4' stereo jack - another dollar on ebay but you can get them in lots of 3-5 for the same amount.
clear plastic container - I used an old peanut butter container but really, anything works.
Soldiering pen and skills. Self explanatory.
Its simple:
Red wire goes from middle part of piezo to the contact for the long piece on the stereo jack. This is the + hot wire. The black wire goes from the outer ring of the piezo to the other contact on the stereo jack. this is the - ground wire.
I drilled a hole in the side of the container for the jack and the bottom for the contact mic, then attached them. Its a rough piece but its a prototype. Now you just plug a cable into it, connect your recording device, and go!
You can see it in action here:
