MAKING CONTACT

This 2 hour workshop, led by Manchester based sound designer and composer Emily Zurowski, will introduce participants to the world of contact microphones.

Contact mics can produce unexpected and interesting results as they do not ‘hear’ in the way that our ears do. Rather than picking up vibrations that travel through air, they sense vibrations that travel through solid objects. They are widely available and can be purchased for as little as £5, making them an accessible recording tool. They are generally quite durable and can be attached to a wide range of materials/surfaces such as metal, glass and even the human body.

The workshop will include the following activities:

• Learning how to record a variety of sound sources with contact microphones
• Learning how to use hydrophones, which are microphones that pick up vibrations from bodies of water
• Learning how to process the recorded sounds
• Creating a live, collaborative soundscape

Participants will also have the opportunity to take home learning materials and the sound effects and soundscapes produced during the workshop.

This workshop will be accessible for people of a range of abilities and does not require participants to have specialist knowledge. Participants will be encouraged to experiment, ask questions and explore ideas in a safe and welcoming learning environment!

Event details

Date: Sunday 10th August 2025

Location: PINK, 2nd Floor, Hilton House, Stockport, SK1 3NA

Time: 14:00 - 16:00

Cost: £12/£10 concession

Duration: 2 hours

This event runs on a NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away for Lack of Funds) basis. If you would like to attend but don’t have the financial means please contact Emily at emilyzurowski@gmail.com

Venue Accessibility

• The venue has step-free access and a gender-neutral accessible toilet available upon request.
• Enclosed, gender-neutral toilets are conveniently located on every floor of the building
• An on-site (paid) car park is available, with spaces located directly opposite the building entrance
• Inside the building, a lift provides access to the space on the second floor, with step access also available.

About Emily Zurowski:

Emily is a Scottish composer, sound designer and performer based in Manchester. Her practice encompasses immersive, interactive and socially-engaged projects. She produces work for a range of media, using field recordings, audio programming, and a range of acoustic and electronic instruments. She is an active collaborator with the filmmaker Maire Tracey (BBC, National Geographic) and has worked as a session musician with artists such as The Orielles and WH Lung. She is particularly interested in creating place-centred work and is currently creating an immersive audio project with local community members in Manchester about green space that is under threat from property development plans.