Suggestions on Geophones?

[joeyluck]

I'm looking at getting a geophone. The one by LOM is very popular, but like most of their stuff, it's not in stock and sold periodically in batches, selling out very quickly.

Here's a few others I'm looking at that are similar:

Tremor Labs Geophone
https://www.perfectcircuit.com/tremor-l ... phone.html

Interharmonics Geophon
https://interharmonics.store/shop/geophon/

Wham Sismophone
https://whamelectronics.com/product/geo ... ismophone/

Leaf Audio geophones
https://www.leaf-audio.com/machines/geophones/

And for reference, here is the Geofon by LOM
https://store.lom.audio/products/geofon

I'm considering the one by Interharmonics. Currently it's out of stock, but I contacted them and they said it should be back in stock soon. I like that it comes with a case.

I'm not sure how these all compare. I've listened to demos and they all sound cool, but with all the diverse sounds and different applications make it difficult to compare directly. I'd like to figure out which ones have the least self noise.

Anybody here using one of these? Or another one?

[turbopage]

Some time ago, I was also captivated by environmental recording microphones like the Lom Geofon. Considering the price and availability, I decided to try building one myself.
I experimented with a hydrophone by starting with simple contact microphones equipped with magnets and sealed in a waterproof container. The results were mixed: out of the three prototypes I've made so far, a couple sound good and can capture sounds in an interesting way without significant interference, but they are aesthetically quite unattractive. The third one, on the other hand, looks more decent (I’m not sure why), but perhaps due to an imperfect soldering, it’s very noisy.
By using materials I already had on hand and only purchasing the piezo elements and magnets, the cost was really minimal.
The construction process wasn't difficult either. Soldering the piezo elements is fairly straightforward, and there are plenty of diagrams available online.

[selig]

Don't know about geophones specifically, but contact mics are AWESOME fun to explore. I just grabbed a bag of 10 for about $1-2 each and put them on anything.
I think if you want to record/detect low frequency movement, a geophone is ideal, but if you want to record vibrations than any decent contact mic might be a better option - especially if you want to explore stereo or other multi-channel options (highly suggested).

[joeyluck]

Some time ago, I was also captivated by environmental recording microphones like the Lom Geofon. Considering the price and availability, I decided to try building one myself.
I experimented with a hydrophone by starting with simple contact microphones equipped with magnets and sealed in a waterproof container. The results were mixed: out of the three prototypes I've made so far, a couple sound good and can capture sounds in an interesting way without significant interference, but they are aesthetically quite unattractive. The third one, on the other hand, looks more decent (I’m not sure why), but perhaps due to an imperfect soldering, it’s very noisy.
By using materials I already had on hand and only purchasing the piezo elements and magnets, the cost was really minimal.
The construction process wasn't difficult either. Soldering the piezo elements is fairly straightforward, and there are plenty of diagrams available online.

Thanks! I also considered making one, which would be fun, but I'm leaning more towards just buying one that's been through all the prototypes. I'm also interested in hydrophones, so I've been looking into those as well.

[joeyluck]

Don't know about geophones specifically, but contact mics are AWESOME fun to explore. I just grabbed a bag of 10 for about $1-2 each and put them on anything.
I think if you want to record/detect low frequency movement, a geophone is ideal, but if you want to record vibrations than any decent contact mic might be a better option - especially if you want to explore stereo or other multi-channel options (highly suggested).

Oh yeah! I've already got a cheap contact mic I use. I was looking at maybe getting the Zeppelin Labs Cortado MKIII.
https://www.perfectcircuit.com/zeppelin ... phone.html

Looks well built (it can be submerged in water or you can drive over it with your car lol). And it covers a good frequency range for a contact mic.

It was also fun to learn what they've been used for, like live sporting venues (under NBA courts, on NFL goal posts and MLB foul poles).

The JrF contact mics are also on my radar, which are regarded as some of the best. I have the JrF electromagnet mic and that's a fun one!

[joeyluck]

Came across another geophone:

Leaf Audio geophones
https://www.leaf-audio.com/machines/geophones/

It's currently in preorder with two models, the L and S. The L has a wider (lower) frequency response of 15 Hz and is sold out. The S goes as low as 28 Hz.

For comparison, the ones by LOM, Tremor Labs, Interharmonics, Wham, all claim a frequency response of 10 - 1000 Hz.

The Leaf Audio ones offer some option accessories that are different, like the bow and wood screw attachment. I'd probably wait until they have the L in stock and probably after they show up at Perfect Circuit before I consider this one.

JrF goes into some thoughts about geophones and use of contact mics for similar effects.
https://jezrileyfrench.co.uk/geophones.php

JrF c-series contact mic:
https://jezrileyfrench.co.uk/contact-microphones.php

JrF c-series contact mic with probe:

So there's lots for me to consider! I still like the idea of a geophone made with a geophone sensor and the ease of use with all the fun attachments.

[joeyluck]

Just bought the Cortado MkIII contact mic

Geophones are still on my wishlist as well as the new JrF ecoacoustic adapted contact mic... https://jezrileyfrench.co.uk/ecoutic-microphone.php

But for now, the Cortado MkIII looks to check many boxes for me because it's so versatile. It's got a wide frequency response as far contact mics go, it sounds pretty clean with its built-in preamp, and it's rugged and can be submerged in water. I don't yet have a hydrophone, so that capability is a plus. And Perfect Circuit currently has a Fall sale with 10% off most things right now. Looking forward to playing with it soon! I'll report back here with some recordings

[Dionysus]

Hello

I'm interested to know what you are into recording ? My interest is starting to move into environmental recordings, and I have some crazy ideas. A seismic microphone isn't one of them though !

Somewhere I do have a cheap clip-on contact mic, from memory with a 3.5mm plug. If I can build/buy an adaptor for XLR maybe I add this to my project somehow. My recorder has the ability to use up to SIX inputs (XLR)

[joeyluck]

Hello

I'm interested to know what you are into recording ? My interest is starting to move into environmental recordings, and I have some crazy ideas. A seismic microphone isn't one of them though !

Somewhere I do have a cheap clip-on contact mic, from memory with a 3.5mm plug. If I can build/buy an adaptor for XLR maybe I add this to my project somehow. My recorder has the ability to use up to SIX inputs (XLR)

I like recording all things in different ways, thus the different types of mics

I'm really into recording binaural audio with my Sound Professionals MS-TFB-2 in-ear mics. I'll also often record with X/Y mics or a shotgun mic.

I've got a few contact mics now and I've also got an electromagnetic mic, which is fun.