{"title":"Cortado Microphones","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"cortado-mkii-contact-mic-diy-kit","title":"Cortado MkII Balanced Buffered Contact Mic DIY Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center;display: block\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"zeppelin-video\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p-8UPHHF714\" title=\"YouTube video\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePiezo sensors are quite incredible little things.  They can be used to detect the slightest variation in pressure, force, or strain and convert that energy into a voltage.  Over the past several decades they’ve been used in numerous applications in several fields including the audio industry.  Unfortunately, they’ve developed a bad reputation for sounding “harsh” and “brittle” when used as contact microphones in acoustic instruments.  This is due to improper impedance matching and the inadequate driving circuits that are mostly used with these sensors in audio applications.  Piezo sensors in themselves are capable of a very wide bandwidth, and when used properly, can achieve excellent results.  So with the intention to get the most out of a piezo sensor, we are offering the \u003cstrong\u003eCortado Balanced Piezo Contact Mic\u003c\/strong\u003e.  This mic contains a phantom powered circuit that properly matches the piezo sensor input impedance and drives the signal via a balanced output, which allows for wide bandwidth (~20Hz-30kHz), low signal losses, and high signal to noise ratio.  The Cortado’s circuit was originally designed by \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.zachpoff.com\/diy-resources\/alex-rice-piezo-preamplifier\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eAlex Rice\u003c\/a\u003e for use in his contact mic hydrophone, but it can be used in countless more applications with excellent results. In the recording studio or on stage it can be used on pianos, guitars and other stringed instruments, or even percussion.  It can be used as a plate reverb pickup or wooden stomp box mic.  We even created this Tin Can Microphone out of stuff we found in the trash (as illustrated in the product photos).\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Cortado is also the perfect accessory for a low-fi geek or a field recording enthusiast.  Discover the sounds inside the pipes in your apartment building, or in bridge suspension cables, even in melting ice.  Anything that vibrates or resonates with an audible frequency can be captured by this contact mic.  Several field recording enthusiasts around the web use this circuit to record some pretty cool stuff; check out these links:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/zeppelin-design-labs\/sets\/cortado-contact-mic-field-recordings\"\u003eCortado Field Recordings\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.musicofsound.co.nz\/blog\/the-first-rule-of-contact-mic-club\"\u003eThe First Rule of CONTACT MIC Club\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wavreport.com\/2017\/04\/23\/getting-connected-with-contact-mics\/\"\u003eGetting Connected With Contact Mics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/maaheli.ee\/main\/building-contact-microphones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eBuilding Contact Microphones\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado kit includes everything you need to build the circuit, complete with a male XLR output, mounting hardware, and several shielding options.  Requires phantom power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado MkII is under the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eCreative Commons Share-Alike\u003c\/a\u003e license, which means you are free to add or build upon this circuit idea in any way your creativity allows, but any derivatives must be shared using the same license.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca name=\"recordingnotes\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eStudio Band Recording Utilizing Only Cortado Mics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nRecording Notes:\u003cbr\u003e\nEvery sound in this song was recorded with the original Cortado. All instruments were recorded using the standard Surface Contact Mic configuration (in the tin box). The vocals were recorded using the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.instructables.com\/id\/The-New-and-Improved-Tin-Can-Microphone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e“New and Improved Tin Can Microphone” as described by our Instructable\u003c\/a\u003e. The placement of the Cortados on each instrument was fairly haphazard. The tracks were recorded using the first placement we tried. The acoustic guitar was mic’ed with two Cortados on the soundboard, both about 1 inch behind the bridge, near the low E string and high E string. The upright bass also used two Cortados, just below either side of the bridge. The snare used one Cortado on top of the head, muted by one layer of cotton fabric. The \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/percolator-2w-amp-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ePercolator 2W Tube Amp\u003c\/a\u003e was used for electric guitar. The 1×8 speaker cabinet was mic’ed using two Cortados, one taped to the magnet of the speaker, the other taped to the outside of the cabinet. We were pleasantly surprised that this mic arrangement captured such good tone from the electric guitar. All tracks were recorded with Logic Pro 9 and a minimal amount of EQ and effects were used… some compression, reverb, and a bit of delay on the electric guitar. For those interested, the band is called \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/theunfortunate.bandcamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eAmi Moss and the Unfortunate\u003c\/a\u003e (for which our very own product designer, Brach, plays guitar).  We were also fortunate enough to have Chicago blues legend \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/glennkaiser.bandcamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eGlenn Kaiser\u003c\/a\u003e featured on electric guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373464789251,"sku":"PCMK","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/zeppelin-design-labs-cortado-contact-microphone-18-inch-lead.jpg?v=1785809415"},{"product_id":"cortado-mkiii-contact-mic-attachment-accessory-kit","title":"Cortado MkIII Attachment Accessory Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/zeppelin-cortado-mkiii-owners-guide.pdf?v=1785759806\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eThe Cortado MkIII Owners Guide\u003c\/a\u003e contains application notes and tips for use of each item in the attachment accessory kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit contains a variety of clamps and adhesives to attach the Cortado MkIII contact microphone to virtually any surface. Includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpring clamp – attach mic temporarily and securely to the edge of any object up to 1″ (2.5 cm) thick\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCustom hold-down strap with screws – permanently attach the mic to any surface that will take a screw; especially well-suited to the underside of staging, dance floors, and basketball courts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 pats of sensor putty – temporarily attach the sensor to any surface at all. Recommended for musical instruments with fine finishes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 discs double-stick tape – permanently and securely attach the sensor to any smooth surface. CAUTION: This tape will likely damage fine oil and lacquer finishes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373465215235,"sku":"PCAK","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/P4260008-edit2.jpg?v=1785809426"},{"product_id":"cortado-mkiii-contact-microphone-phantom-power-bundle","title":"Cortado MkIII Contact Microphone “In The Field” Bundle with Xvive P1","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado MkIII is a rugged, versatile, easy-to-use contact mic that reveals the silent sounds hidden in the solid world around you. Rugged steel enclosures house the Cortado MkIII’s sensor and phantom-powered preamp circuit. The mic is equally useful for sound design, music recording, and venue sound reinforcement. The sensor head attaches easily to most surfaces with putty (included), clamp, or tape. The built-in pad can be used to cut sensitivity when recording very loud sources. The switchable Bass Boost function extends low-end response when your project needs maximum rumble and boom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sensor head is connected to the preamp chassis with a 6’ (1.8m) high quality shielded cable. The preamp receives 48V phantom power from your standard XLR mic cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado MkIII is the most affordable professional contact mic in its class. The\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortado-mkiii-contact-mic-attachment-accessory-kit\"\u003e attachment accessory kit\u003c\/a\u003e includes a variety of clamps and adhesives to easily attach the Cortado, temporarily or permanently, to most any object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eField Recordings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"zeppelin-soundcloud\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzeppelin-design-labs%2Fsets%2Fcortado-contact-mic-field-recordings\u0026amp;color=%23D4A24C\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SoundCloud player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/zeppelin-design-labs\/sets\/cortado-contact-mic-field-recordings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHear more field recordings on SoundCloud\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudio Recordings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"zeppelin-soundcloud\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzeppelin-design-labs%2Fsets%2Fcortado-mkiii-contact\u0026amp;color=%23D4A24C\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SoundCloud player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/zeppelin-design-labs\/sets\/cortado-mkiii-contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHear more studio recordings on SoundCloud\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373465280771,"sku":"PC3A-P1-BNDL","price":199.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/MkIII-Xvive-P1-Bundle.png?v=1785809437"},{"product_id":"cortado-mkiii-contact-microphone","title":"Cortado MkIII Contact Microphone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado MkIII is a rugged, versatile, easy-to-use contact mic that reveals the silent sounds hidden in the solid world around you. Rugged steel enclosures house the Cortado MkIII’s sensor and phantom-powered preamp circuit. The mic is equally useful for sound design, music recording, and venue sound reinforcement. The sensor head attaches easily to most surfaces with putty (included), clamp, or tape. The built-in pad can be used to cut sensitivity when recording very loud sources. The switchable Bass Boost function extends low-end response when your project needs maximum rumble and boom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sensor head is connected to the preamp chassis with a 6’ (1.8m) high quality shielded cable. The preamp receives 48V phantom power from your standard XLR mic cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado MkIII is the most affordable professional contact mic in its class. The\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortado-mkiii-contact-mic-attachment-accessory-kit\"\u003e attachment accessory kit\u003c\/a\u003e includes a variety of clamps and adhesives to easily attach the Cortado, temporarily or permanently, to most any object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eField Recordings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"zeppelin-soundcloud\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"300\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzeppelin-design-labs%2Fsets%2Fcortado-contact-mic-field-recordings\u0026amp;color=%23D4A24C\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SoundCloud player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/zeppelin-design-labs\/sets\/cortado-contact-mic-field-recordings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHear more field recordings on SoundCloud\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudio Recordings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"zeppelin-soundcloud\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"no\" allow=\"autoplay\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsoundcloud.com%2Fzeppelin-design-labs%2Fsets%2Fcortado-mkiii-contact\u0026amp;color=%23D4A24C\u0026amp;auto_play=false\u0026amp;hide_related=false\u0026amp;show_comments=true\u0026amp;show_user=true\u0026amp;show_reposts=false\u0026amp;show_teaser=true\" loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SoundCloud player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/zeppelin-design-labs\/sets\/cortado-mkiii-contact\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHear more studio recordings on SoundCloud\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373465313539,"sku":"PC3A","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/CortadoMkIII-Iso-1-scaled.png?v=1785809447"},{"product_id":"cortado-xe","title":"Cortado Xe Contact Microphone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Cortado Xe packs the entire signal chain — piezo contact sensor, JFET preamplifier, and cable — into one all-steel housing smaller than a guitar pick. Connect to any standard 48V phantom-powered XLR input and go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt for musicians, recording engineers, sound designers, and anyone who needs to capture vibration from a solid surface, the Xe mounts on acoustic instruments, percussion, piano soundboards, or anything that resonates — and it rejects airborne stage noise far better than an air microphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe all-steel ferrous housing is tour-tough and magnet-mountable, so you can reposition it in seconds with the included putty, tape, or any common magnet. Extended frequency response (40 Hz – 40 kHz) captures harmonic detail well past the limits of human hearing — useful for studio layering, live performance, and creative sound design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Xe shares the Cortado family’s core philosophy — balanced XLR output, phantom power, extended high-frequency response — in the smallest, simplest form factor we’ve made. If you want onboard pad and high-pass filter controls at the microphone, the Cortado MkIII is the full-featured option. Many users will want both: the MkIII for control at the source, the Xe for travel, quick setups, and instruments where size matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"list-inside list-disc whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003eAll-in-one design\u003c\/span\u003e — Sensor and preamp in a single 26mm × 11mm all-steel housing with permanently attached XLR cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003eAll-steel ferrous housing\u003c\/span\u003e — Durable, well-shielded, and magnet-mountable for instant repositioning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003eExtended frequency response\u003c\/span\u003e — 40 Hz to 40 kHz captures full harmonic detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003eBalanced XLR output\u003c\/span\u003e — Pro-grade signal, low noise, long cable runs without degradation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003ePhantom powered (48V)\u003c\/span\u003e — No batteries, no DI box, no external preamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"font-semibold\"\u003eVersatile mounting\u003c\/span\u003e — Ships with mounting putty; ferrous housing also accepts magnets or tape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373465379075,"sku":"PCXE","price":159.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/cortado-xe-dark.png?v=1785809455"},{"product_id":"sensor-upgrade-for-cortado-mkii","title":"Sensor Upgrade for Cortado MkII","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou can now upgrade your Cortado \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cortado-balanced-piezo-contact-mic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMkII kit\u003c\/a\u003e with the same nearly indestructible sensor that we use on the\u003ca href=\"\/products\/cortado-mkiii-contact-microphone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e Cortado MkIII\u003c\/a\u003e.  It has a 6 ft. (1.83m) balanced, shielded cable, 1\/8” (3.5mm) in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a very rugged, and robust sensor.  In our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=99WYPUX1Wxg\u0026amp;t=1s\"\u003eCortado MkIII promotion video\u003c\/a\u003e we show this sensor being run over by a car without suffering any damage.  This is the sensor you need if your Cortado MkII application requires something less fragile than the stock option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe hand make each of these sensors in our Naperville workshop, and they are all tested using the same digital analysis QA procedure that we use for the Cortado MkIII.  Installation instructions are in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/zeppelin-cortado-mkii-kit-assembly-and-owners-manual.pdf?v=1785759761\"\u003eCortado MkII manual\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zeppelin Design Labs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49373465936131,"sku":"PCSU","price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/3731\/4563\/files\/Zeppelin_Design_Labs_Sensor_Upgrade1.jpg?v=1785809505"}],"url":"https:\/\/zeppelindesignlabs.com\/collections\/cortado-microphones.oembed","provider":"Zeppelin Design Labs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}