Help needed: Zoom H1n+piezo mic

[MetaDronos]

Hello,

I need help from more experienced sound-recording gear users.

If I want to use this microphone: http://dacs-audio.com/product_detail...product_id=512
with this sound recorder: http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/h1 do I need any pre-amplifier?

This is example of effect I want to achieve: http://criticalvibrations.com/2012/1...in-link-fence/

Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

I've not had to use a preamp with my recorder and contact mics. See http://hydrophones.blogspot.com.au/ For alternative mics made by someone who does the sort of thing you are interested in all the time. I would ask Jez, (and I've bought his mics) Chris Watson has used them, which is as pro as you get.

From the FAQ
Q: are you products compatible with the recorder I use ? & will I need a separate pre-amp ?
A: I've yet to find a recorder they aren't compatible with & for example lots of folks use my products with recorders such as:
Sound Devices 702, 722, 744, 788
Olympus LS100, LS10, LS11 etc
Fostex FR2le
Zoom H2, H4, H4D, H2N, H4N
Tascam DR100, DR40, DR680
Sony PCM-D50
Marantz PMD661
Edirol R-44
Korg MR2
Nagra recorders
& lots more inc. minidisc recorders
You don't need an additional pre-amp in order to get good results & in fact all of the samples on the soundcloud player at the top of this page were recorded directly into the recorders used without any additional mixers, pre-amps or post production.

[GaryG]

£45 sounds expensive for £3 worth of components... imo of course. The one's at Woggles link seem better value (better made, cheaper etc).

But, yeah, you should be able to plug straight in and get decent results.

*However*, articles like the one below go into the theory of how mismatching the impedances of the mic and recorder result in effectively a high pass filter being introduced. If you're into a bit of DIY then it's easy to make a simple pre-amp that apparently improves the bass response etc markedly.

http://www.zachpoff.com/diy-resources/alex-rice-piezo-preamplifier/

[MetaDronos]

Thank you for your help, guys. I purchased stereo pair of contact microphones from Jez.
I'm considering to buy also pair of coil pick-ups to record various electronically induced noises.