Field Recording the Hidden Sounds of Everyday Objects
Use a Cortado contact microphone to discover resonances in fences, bridges, trees, and machinery — a field recordist's guide.
Field recording with contact mics is exploration. Walk up to a object, attach a sensor, and listen to a world you have never heard.
What to try first
- Metal fences and guard rails (long, ringing decays)
- Wooden benches and playground structures
- Bridge cables and structural steel
- Industrial machinery (safely, with permission)
Gear notes
The Cortado MkIII operates from -40°F to 175°F and keeps electronics in a rugged chassis away from the sensor — useful when the pickup itself is clamped in harsh conditions.
Run balanced XLR into a portable recorder or interface with phantom power. Carry putty, clamps, and gaffer tape for fast mounting.
Listen before you record
Spend thirty seconds moving the sensor while monitoring headphones. Sweet spots are rarely obvious from visual inspection alone.
More inspiration: Applications and audio samples.