The 2HP Module That Brings the Outside World Inside
Most Eurorack microphone modules are contact mics designed for capturing vibrations from solid objects. But Intellijel’s MEMS Mic takes a different approach—it uses the same omnidirectional MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphone found in smartphones and cameras, delivering flat frequency response from 6Hz to 20kHz in just 2HP of rack space.
This isn’t about exotic sound capture techniques; it’s about bringing studio-quality ambient recording directly into your modular workflow. At $99/€108, the MEMS Mic transforms any Eurorack system into a responsive environmental instrument.
MEMS Technology: The Smartphone Revolution Comes to Modular
MEMS microphones revolutionized mobile audio by providing flat frequency response in tiny packages. Unlike traditional electret microphones, MEMS devices use silicon-based mechanical structures that vibrate in response to sound waves, offering exceptional consistency and reliability.
MEMS Mic Specifications:
- Omnidirectional MEMS microphone element
- 6Hz to 20kHz frequency response (±3dB)
- 2HP Eurorack format
- Output level control via slider and CV input
- LED indicators for signal (green) and overload (red)
- High-pass filter: 180Hz, 6dB/octave (switchable)
- $99 USD / €108 pricing
- Available from Perfect Circuit and Thomann
The flat frequency response is crucial—it means the MEMS Mic captures sound accurately without the coloration that makes many microphones unsuitable for precise audio applications.
Smart Design Features: Beyond Basic Microphone Functionality
Intellijel’s engineering approach shines in the MEMS Mic’s control implementation. The generous slider provides manual output level control, while a dedicated CV input allows voltage control of gain. Used together, the CV input controls overall level while the slider functions as an attenuator—a flexible approach that accommodates both performance and automation needs.
The LED feedback system provides essential visual monitoring: green for signal presence, red for overload conditions. In modular environments where audio levels can vary dramatically, this visual feedback prevents the kind of level mismatches that can damage downstream modules or create unwanted distortion.
High-Pass Filtering: Taming the Low End
The switchable 180Hz high-pass filter addresses one of ambient recording’s persistent challenges—low-frequency rumble from air conditioning, traffic, building vibrations, and other environmental noise. The 6dB/octave slope provides gentle filtering that removes problematic low frequencies without dramatically altering the character of wanted audio content.
This filtering capability makes the MEMS Mic practical for live performance situations where environmental noise could otherwise overwhelm musical content. Enable the filter for clean ambient capture, or leave it bypassed when low-frequency content is musically relevant.
Versatility Beyond Contact Mics
While contact microphones excel at capturing vibrations from solid objects, the MEMS Mic’s omnidirectional pattern and flat response make it more versatile for general audio capture. Record room ambience, capture acoustic instruments, sample found sounds, or use it as a responsive trigger source for envelope followers and other dynamics processors.
The omnidirectional pattern means the MEMS Mic captures sound equally from all directions, making placement less critical than with directional microphones. This forgiving characteristic makes it practical for modular applications where precise microphone positioning might be difficult.
Stereo Applications: Two Modules, Spatial Possibilities
Intellijel’s suggestion to use two MEMS Mics for stereo recording opens interesting spatial recording possibilities. Place modules in different locations within your modular case, or use extension cables to position them as a stereo pair for ambient recording or live sound capture.
The 2HP format makes dual-module installations practical even in compact systems. Two MEMS Mics consume only 4HP total while providing complete stereo recording capability with independent level control and filtering for each channel.
CV Integration: Automation Meets Audio Capture
The CV input for level control transforms the MEMS Mic from a passive recording device into an active part of modular patches. Use envelope generators to create gated recording effects, LFOs for tremolo-style level modulation, or sequencers for rhythmic audio capture patterns.
This CV integration capability distinguishes the MEMS Mic from traditional audio interfaces, making ambient sound an actively controllable element rather than simply recorded material. The combination of manual slider control and CV automation provides both immediate tactile control and complex automated behaviors.
Creative Applications: Beyond Traditional Recording
The MEMS Mic’s modular integration encourages creative applications that wouldn’t occur with traditional recording equipment:
Environmental Triggers: Use ambient sound to trigger envelopes, gates, or other modular functions through envelope followers or comparators.
Reactive Processing: Process ambient audio through filters, delays, and other effects in real-time, creating responsive soundscapes that react to environmental conditions.
Feedback Experiments: Create controlled feedback by routing processed MEMS Mic output through speakers positioned near the microphone, using the modular environment to shape and contain the feedback characteristics.
Live Sampling: Capture environmental audio directly into sampling modules for immediate manipulation and integration into patches.
Design Aesthetics: Form Follows Function
The MEMS Mic’s concentric circle design provides visual interest while protecting the delicate MEMS element underneath. The mechanical cover serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, preventing damage to the microphone while creating an instantly recognizable visual signature.
The 2HP format maximizes functionality while minimizing rack space consumption. In systems where every HP counts, the MEMS Mic provides essential audio input capabilities without the space penalties associated with larger interface modules.
Value Proposition: Studio Quality in Modular Format
At $99/€108, the MEMS Mic delivers smartphone-quality audio capture in modular format. Compare this to the cost of external audio interfaces, microphone preamps, and the complexity of routing external audio into modular systems, and the value becomes clear.
The flat frequency response and omnidirectional pattern provide recording quality that rivals much more expensive microphone solutions, while the modular integration creates creative possibilities that external recording equipment can’t match.
Canadian Engineering Excellence
Intellijel’s Canadian engineering heritage shows in the MEMS Mic’s thoughtful feature implementation and robust build quality. The company’s reputation for reliable, well-designed modules makes the MEMS Mic a safe investment for users seeking dependable audio input capabilities.
The availability through both Perfect Circuit and Thomann (both with pre-order) provides multiple purchase options for international customers.
The Ambient Future
The MEMS Mic represents Intellijel’s vision of modular synthesis that engages with the acoustic world rather than existing in digital isolation. By making high-quality ambient recording simple and space-efficient, it encourages hybrid approaches that combine electronic synthesis with environmental audio capture.
Whether you’re creating ambient compositions, building responsive installations, or simply want high-quality audio input for your modular system, the MEMS Mic provides professional capabilities in an remarkably compact package.
Ready to bring the outside world into your modular universe? The Intellijel MEMS Mic at $99/€108 transforms environmental sound from background noise into musical material, proving that sometimes the best microphone is the one that’s always there when inspiration strikes.
More information at Intellijel website
About Me
Hi, I’m Canoy Dang. I grew up in Granada and now living in Málaga, in the south of Spain. Sound has always played a central role in my life — from early home recordings to the deeper, ongoing exploration of the modular synth world. Modular, semi-modular, and desktop synthesizers have become my main tools for expression, experimentation, and sometimes, simply for getting lost in the process.
