Rattlecore is a dedicated piezo microphone preamp and filter circuit designed for experimental sound design, noise instruments and DIY contact mic boxes.

​

The circuit is built around a low-noise, high-performance op-amp stage and provides enough gain to bring even very weak piezo signals into a usable audio range. The gain can be adjusted via an onboard potentiometer, allowing anything from subtle amplification to aggressive boosting for noisy textures.

​

A second stage implements an adjustable high-pass filter. This helps to remove low-frequency rumble. It also allows you to shape the tonal character of your sound source, from deep thumps to sharp clicks and textures.

​

The PCB uses a virtual ground (rail splitter) to run cleanly from a single 9V supply. This keeps the design simple and makes it ideal for standalone DIY builds.

​

This is not a complete instrument. The PCB design is provided as a DIY project component.

​

You will need to:
 

• add your own piezo sensors

• build or design an enclosure

• add jacks, controls and mechanical parts

• install power supply socket or battery
   

The design is intended for DIY builders who want to create their own custom noise boxes or experimental instruments.
 

RattleCore works especially well with piezo contact microphones that capture vibrations from:
 

• metal objects

• springs

• surfaces

• resonant bodies

​

Every build can sound completely different depending on what you attach to it.