Close Listening Kit

Contact microphone connects via XLR
Image of contents of kit
Suction cup microphone
Hydrophone that connects via XLR
About

The Close Listening Kit offers three different microphones to record with: a contact microphone, a hydrophone and a suction cup microphone.  Each mic offers the opportunity to explore sound recording in differently from a classic, vocal microphone.  With this kit you can record sound underwater, via surface vibrations and through various surfaces, e.g. a wall or human body.  In order to use these microphones you'll need to check out the Audio Recording Kit.  

Media equipment circulation will end for the Spring Semester on 4/30/26 and resume for the Summer on 5/20/26. Media Equipment will not be available from 5/1/26 to 5/19/26. During the summer media equipment will circulate on on a first-come, first-served basis; booking requests will not be available.

Starting in Fall of 2026, Tisch Library’s media equipment will circulate at the Digital Design Studio desk on the 3rd floor. For more information visit go.tufts.edu/ddsmoves

Location
Tisch
Contents
  • Contact Microphone
    • Microphone that senses audio vibrations through contact with solid objects
  • Sticky putty
    • Allows you to adhere the contact mic onto objects
  • Suction cup microphone
    • Can be used with mixed success for sticking to the body for the collection of heartbeats, lung sounds, etc, as well as other surfaces.
  • Hydrophone
    • Microphone that can record underwater
  • Hard case
    • For ease of use and to safely transport equipment

Regardless of how you choose to get equipment, you need to sign the Media Equipment Policy form once per academic year.  Requests made by patrons without a signed Media Equipment Policy form are not guaranteed. 

There are two ways Tufts ID holders can check out media equipment:

  1. At the front desk, no advance reservation required.  You can stop by the front circulation desk located on the second level of the Tisch library and ask to check out a kit.  The default loan period for media equipment is 7 days, no renewal.  If no kits are available, Frontline Staff can help you to create a request for the next available time.  Once the kit leaves the library, the borrower is responsible for all items listed on the contents tag.
  2. By making a request in Jumbosearch . You can make requests via Jumbosearch up to 2 weeks in advance.  When making a request online, you decide when to pick up and return your equipment but reservation length cannot exceed 7 days.  Kits will not be available until 10am the day of pickup. All media equipment will be loaned from the Front Circulation Desk at the entrance of Tisch Library.  Equipment not picked up within 24 hours will automatically be returned and placed back into circulation. Once the kit leaves the library, the borrower is responsible for all items listed on the contents tag. 

Loan period and renewals

Media equipment is available for a 7-day loan period with no renewals.  If upon returning your kit, there is another kit available that you are interested in using, you are welcome to check it out.  It is imperative we receive all media equipment on time so we can clean it and get it back into circulation for other folks in the community interested in using the kit.  Failure to return the kit today will put a media equipment hold on your account and require that you meet with staff regarding our policies. 

Cancel a Request

To cancel a request, please call at 617-627-3347 or email TischDDS@tufts.edu.  We strongly encourage patrons to cancel when no longer needing a reservation.  This opens up the equipment to community members more quickly than letting the reservation expire without notifying Tisch library staff.  

Return

Equipment must be returned to a staff member at the Tisch Library Circulation Desk at the designated return time and patrons must be present for the entire check-in process.  Equipment borrower assumes full responsibility for damage, loss or theft.

In order to check out media equipment from Tisch library, you must sign a Media Equipment policy form for the current academic year.

For onsite support, you can stop by the Digital Design Studio on the third floor, room 303.  Staff offices are located in room 301 and Studio Assistants are available in room 303. For self-guided learning check out our online tutorials.  You can also contact us at tischdds@tufts.edu with additional questions or feedback.