Compare Cortado Models
Full specifications side by side. Click a model name to jump to its detailed section.
| Specification | Cortado MkIII | Cortado Xe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | MSRP $159.95 | MSRP $169.95 |
| Target Use | Professional and home recording studios, field recording, sound design, live sound reinforcement | Acoustic instrument players, luthiers, live sound, sound design, anyone who needs a durable pro contact mic in a compact package |
| Output | Balanced XLR | Balanced XLR |
| Frequency Response | 23Hz – 40kHz (Bass Boost on) | 40 Hz – 40 kHz (typical) |
| Power | 24V – 48V Phantom Power | 24V – 48V Phantom Power |
| Pad | -10dB switchable | — |
| Bass Boost | Switchable | — |
| Cable Length | 6 ft (1.8m) | 6 ft (1.8m) |
| Chassis | 20 gauge steel | — |
| Sensor Housing | All-steel, ferrous (magnet-mountable) | — |
| Operating Temp | -40°F to 175°F (-40°C to 80°C) | — |
Which Cortado Is Right for You?
Get the Cortado Xe if…
- ✓ You want the smallest, simplest pro contact mic
- ✓ You play acoustic instruments (guitar, banjo, violin, ukulele)
- ✓ You need something compact that fits on small instruments
- ✓ You prefer all-in-one simplicity: sensor → cable → XLR
- ✓ You want magnet-mountable repositionable attachment
Compact all-in-one form factor, 26mm sensor, all-steel ferrous housing, extended HF to ~40 kHz
Get the Cortado MkIII if…
- ✓ You need onboard controls (pad + high-pass filter)
- ✓ You work in sound design, field recording, or live sound
- ✓ You need a more rugged sensor for demanding environments
- ✓ You record percussion, piano soundboards, or architectural surfaces
- ✓ You want a separate sensor from the electronics chassis
Full-featured with pad + HPF controls, 36mm sensor separate from chassis
Both models handle the same core tasks. The Xe is the compact, streamlined option; the MkIII offers onboard controls and a sensor that tolerates harsher environments.
Cortado MkIII
View full product page →The Cortado MkIII is a robust and versatile contact microphone that reveals the hidden sounds in the solid world around you. The Cortado's active circuitry delivers a balanced signal with wide bandwidth and flat frequency response which can be driven over very long cable runs with no signal degradation.
| Price | MSRP $159.95 |
| Output | Balanced XLR |
| Frequency Response | 23Hz – 40kHz (Bass Boost on) |
| Power | 24V – 48V Phantom Power |
| Pad | -10dB switchable |
| Bass Boost | Switchable |
| Cable Length | 6 ft (1.8m) |
| Chassis | 20 gauge steel |
| Sensor Housing | All-steel, ferrous (magnet-mountable) |
| Operating Temp | -40°F to 175°F (-40°C to 80°C) |
Downloads
Cortado Xe
View full product page →The Cortado Xe is the most compact pro contact microphone we've ever built — a balanced piezo sensor and a phantom-powered JFET preamp integrated into a single all-steel housing 26mm across and 11mm tall, with a permanently attached XLR cable. Plug into any 48V phantom input and you're ready to record or perform. No battery. No DI box. No outboard preamp.
| Price | MSRP $169.95 |
| Output | Balanced XLR |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz – 40 kHz (typical) |
| Power | 24V – 48V Phantom Power |
| Form Factor | 26mm ⌀ × 11mm — sensor, preamp, and XLR cable in one housing |
| Transducer | Piezo contact sensor with built-in JFET preamp (fixed bias) |
| Housing | All-steel, ferrous (magnet-mountable) |
| Cable Length | 6 ft (1.8m) |
| Mounting | Mounting putty (included), magnet, or tape |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |