20 Contact Microphone Experiments - A Collection of my Favorite Instagram Reels

Here's a roundup of 20 of my favorite contact mic experiments that I've posted to my instagram feed. Many of these are custom-made piezo elements, but quite a few are store-bought elements that are just as fun to play around with.
Follow me on instagram for more sonic nonsense- / thesoundofmachines
Video Breakdown:
00:00 Two contact mics in dead tree bark
00:58 Suction cup contact mic on wine glass
01:58 Piezo element inside a rubber ball
03:11 Processing contact mics on a kalimba
04:35 Magnetic contact mic on piano strings
05:43 Custom Piezo Mic and chain and drill
06:43 Magnetic waterproof contact mic in kitchen
07:25 Big cardboard piezo mic and frogs
08:25 Contact mic on twine between trees
09:21 Contact mic in glass of seltzer water
10:15 Custom piezo mic in a "jangley box"
11:15 Contact mic in the creek
12:08 Contact mic in a block of ice
13:07 Contact mic under metal bowl in the rain
14:03 Custom Jangle Box
15:26 Contact mic under sand on the beach
16:24 Piezo gardening glove pt.1
17:54 Piezo gardening glove pt.2
19:18 Magnetic contact mic in the gym
20:16 Custom piezo mic in the kitchen

[@darrellpidgeon6440]

There is truly no limit to discovering the possibilities. Love the rubber ball, and the thawing brick of ice. Can't forget the "talking tree".

[@modu2255]

The one with the little bouncy ball sounds absolutely amazing! Didnt expect that haha

[@awesomegaming8617]

2:52 Bro just created an entire Shelby burnout synthesizer 💀

[@jalengoode3266]

“No officer you don’t understand I need to be IN THIS TREE BARK”

[@jessemea8438]

Wow! 14:56 is so reminiscent of the Star Trek transporter sound! And by the way, I find this whole video quite inspiring. Great work!

[@TheSoundofMachines]

Yeah right? I thought the same thing! Thank you for the words.

[@123xqp]

Wow! Getting the same buzz off these sounds as I did when I discovered Einstürzende Neubauten back in the 80s. Thanks.

[@awesomegaming8617]

2:32 Excuse you! 😡😂

[@VovanGT90]

This is very strange and beautiful.. I want more!

[@whitelion7976]

Love the melting ice, never expected that sound

[@OmBotCult]

where can i get the spiral spring steel? like you have for the jangley box?

[@stephpicher]

Awesome! Very (very) inspiring!

[@hhaste]

2:52 He made a Honda Civic with a fartcan exhaust!

[@Vincent-Singh17159]

OMG😂

[@Saturnit3]

So underrated video. thanks this made my day

[@KamDaOrcuh]

so this is how horror movie sound effects are made. Very interesting.

[@PhilanderingBastard]

Very inspiring, particularly the rubber ball. What’s the make of your little amp?

[@TheSoundofMachines]

Thanks! The amp is a Roland Cube Micro. Great little thing.

[@PhilanderingBastard]

Thank you @@TheSoundofMachines

[@stuartchapman5171]

​@TheSoundofMachines thanks, I was wondering, great work, I use contact mics, tapr, fx and vinyl for sonic art projects, love this video.

[@jamisondonald384]

This is awesome

[@xhgtg1231]

Amazing techniques

[@TheSoundofMachines]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mukadichisabi8833]

what contact microphone did you use when pouring sand on the ground? Can it be purchased, if yes where? can zoom h4 essential or f3 record it

[@artokraina6142]

Прикольно

[@temporoboto]

💙

[@ChrisLeeW00]

The quartz is a mighty mineral

[@netslav3328]

CHRIST ALMIGHTY
THIS IS SO BASED

[@areusmartinez8343]

🤯👏👏

[@slavagalkov432]

What program do you use?

[@Evelyn-1958]

I'm loving this and so glad to see an update on your channel! I'll be sharing this on my Facebook page! AMAZING!! Do you care if I make it public?
👍🏼🤜🏼🤛🏼🤯😲🤯🤜🏼🤛🏼👍🏼

[@TheSoundofMachines]

Thank you! I don't mind at all :) :)

[@RileyGein]

Are these all your own videos? If so any update on your tutorials with contact mics

[@tornadokat]

Curious what app was being used to add all these effects?

[@slimslim0228]

It's Ableton Live

[@greggorr314]

Not exactly a bass Kalimba, it's more of a Spring-a-Ling.

[@LyricRoy]

!nspiring 🔥

[@albaradu2943]