Contact Mics for Foley and Sound Design
Why sound designers reach for contact microphones to capture metal, wood, and machinery — textures air mics cannot hear.
Foley artists live in the world of tactile sound. Footsteps, creaks, impacts, and resonances often originate inside materials — not in open air.
What contact mics capture
A contact microphone on a washing machine drum, a shopping cart, or a sheet of metal records vibration at the source. The result is often richer in low-mid detail and less room-dependent than pointing a condenser at the same object.
Mounting tips
- Use the mounting putty included with Cortado products for quick, removable attachment
- Spring clamps work well on edges and rails
- The MkIII’s separate sensor tolerates rough handling during exploratory sessions
Pair with air mics
Many designers blend a contact track (for body and resonance) with an air mic (for space and air movement). The Cortado MkIII’s balanced output drops straight into a professional interface alongside your usual chain.
Hear examples on our Video & Audio page.