NOTE: This workshop is followed by the "Make a Mikrophonie" DIY Eurorack module build workshop, both of which are piezo/contact mic focused, and this was not by mere coincidence! We grouped these two workshops together because they have complementary yet distinct material covered and very different DIY projects to take home. We encourage folks sign up to both and make a whole afternoon of it! What a technically simple yet amazingly useful and philosophically intriguing way to create or capture sound!
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Ever wanted to hear the sound of ice melting? Or record the sound of metal expanding? Contact mics can make that possible!

In this workshop we'll be exploring the mighty piezo crystal, how to convert vibrations into sound and back into vibrations again, and how to turn a colander into a custom reverb device.

You'll learn how to make your own contact mic and how to build a simple amplifier for a piezo transducer. All parts for these will be provided, but feel free to bring something from home to use for the custom reverb device. Anything that will vibrate can work, but the best results tend to be with metal objects or thin plastic.

This workshop involves soldering, and beginners are welcome. No prior knowledge of soldering or audio electronics is required. Attendees will build their own devices at separate soldering stations and all building/soldering tools will be provided on site.

$40, includes supplies to build two contact mics and an amplifier
Date: Saturday, June 27th, 2026
Time: 12 PM- 2:30 PM
Taught by: Jon Daries

Location: Synth Library Portland
1256 Lloyd Center
Lloyd Center Mall, 2nd Floor, near Dicepool