jez riley french

HAND BUILT SPECIALIST MICROPHONES designed by JEZ RILEY FRENCH and built by Jez and daughter, the artist PHEOBE RILEY LAW 

please email your order to tempjez@hotmail.com

and we will reply the same day with payment choices and dispatch schedule

let me know;

YOUR NAME & POSTAL ADDRESS

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO ORDER (inc. quantity, jack choice etc)

& A SOCIAL MEDIA LINK IF YOU HAVE ONE (as an alternative form of contact)

IMPORTANT please CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL FILTER for our reply, which will usually be sent the same day

you can also use the form below, but emailing directly means our reply should show up in your inbox

there's a drop down menu, with pages for each type of JrF microphone on the left-side main menu, or click for;

c-series+ contact mics

d-series+ hydrophones

coils (for recording electromagnetic signals)

&

impedance adaptors 

+

c-series contact mic+  'ecoutic'(plant / soil recording edition) - coming soon

ORDERING
please read carefully

PLACING AN ORDER:
Please email tempjez@hotmail.com or use the form above, detailing your full postal address and what you would like to order. Jez will then reply asap with details of the cost of your order and payment options (see ‘Payment’ section below).

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL FILTER FOR OUR REPLY (WHICH WILL USUALLY BE SENT THE SAME DAY)

THE PRICE:
Our aim is to provide high quality microphones at a price that is affordable to most. There hasn't been an increase in the price of JrF microphones for over a decade, despite costs of parts, postage and other overheads increasing each year, including significant increases during 2022/2023. We'll hold off on increase for now, as we want the mics to be affordable to as many people as possible, but if one is needed at some point, it'll be done with the intention of trying to maintain the balance of high quality microphones, at a reasonable price for all and with an eye (ear) on sustainable, environmental aims. 


PAYMENT:
We are moving away from using paypal & some similar online commerce platforms, whose fees have also increased and now amount to between 3.5% and 5.5% of the cost of each transaction. There are now lots of other payment methods that are either free, have much lower costs and better currency conversion rates, and that are less problematic politically / ethically. For example, wise.com is a much better payment platform and if you set up an account (which is a similar process to paypal) it is either free (depending on which country you are in) or low cost to send a payment. As their exchange rates are much better than other plaforms you will pay less for your order usually than with other methods. If you still wish to use paypal you can do so but do consider using the send money to a contact or someone you know option, to account: tempjez@hotmail.com as the full amount needs to reach us. We have noticed recently that, depending on how a paypal payment is funded, they still take around 5.5% in fees even with this method, so do consider using wise.com or bank transfer if in the UK.

DISPATCH TIMES:
Lead times vary - These microphones are built by hand and usually the lead time to dispatch is under a week, often 2-3 days for example. At certain times, due to demand or our own creative activities, there can be a longer lead time.

IMPORTANT; the weather in the UK this year has felt different, with rapid, large changes in temperature at times. This has recently (winter 2023) affected the drying time of some of the top coatings of the microphones. Rather than rush the process we are currently advising that lead times to dispatch might be longer than normal.

When you place your order you'll be sent an email with an estimate of when it'll be shipped. If you need your mics for a specific project / date then please email first and Jez will let you know if its possible. Please do try to order well in advance.

DELIVERY OPTIONS:
UK: prices include standard p&p, or youcan upgrade to 1st class for £3.95 or special delivery for £8.95 

EUROPE:
Postage & packaging charges in the EU are calculated by weight, size and value of each parcel, hence why there is a postage charge for each item - please see below or the pages for the different types of microphone for more information. Orders are sent via regular airmail services and you can also upgrade delivery to a fully tracked service for an additional £10.


REST OF WORLD: USA / CANADA / SOUTH AMERICA / AUSTRALIA / ASIA etc:
Postage & packing charges charges to the rest of the world are calculated by weight, size and value of each parcel, hence why there is a postage charge for each item please see below or the pages for the different types of microphone for more information. Charges to the USA, Canada and South America increased significantly in 2020, due to political decisions in those countries. Orders are sent via regular airmail services and you can also upgrade delivery to a fully tracked service for an additional £12 - £14 depending on your country.

IMPORTANT:

Please insure you select the correct postage option depending on your location and whether you would like regular postage or the upgraded delivery. 

If for example your address does not have individual letter boxes then please do consider paying for the postage upgrade, as this well assist in minimising the chances of parcel being incorrectly delivered. I cannot be held responsible for parcels sent that do not arrive when incomplete addresses are given or where untracked postage has been used and there is therefore no way to confirm what happened to the parcel. I will of course assist customers in any claim for loss of such a parcel, providing the proof of postage, but any compensation offered by postal companies for regular, untracked parcels is limited to a small amount (£20 here in the UK for example)

If paying by paypal or another platform please monitor the email address associated with it in case there is a need to contact you about your order.

When ordering standard series units please remember to let us know which type of jack (3.5mm or 1/4 inch) you would like on them.

Please understand that we can't be held responsible for delays in sending orders where the incorrect payment has been made or emails about any unclear aspects of the order have not been replied to.

Please supply the correct postal address when placing orders! Every now and then we get an order where a customers old address is linked to the payment account. Please understand that we cannot be held responsible if an order is shipped to a provided address that you no longer have access to.

for further information on each product please use the links in the drop down menu (on the left) and also please read the 'tips and guidance' page for information on how to look after your microphones so they give years of service.

The Frequently Asked Questions page and additional tips / guidance are here

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General info on the ethos at JrF

I know sometimes we all want products to arrive almost the same day as we order them but JrF mics are hand crafted and demand is usually high due to their strong reputation. Please order well in advance of when you need the microphones.

Jez will always send an email following your order being placed, letting you know it has been received and to clarify any details if needed - so please check junk mail filters or the email account you use for your payment platform.

JrF is not a big faceless business in some factory on an industrial estate and we have no wish for it to become so. We work hard to get orders dispatched quickly but life is about more than making money, so there might be times, if we are away with family, giving workshops or working on various creative projects that means waiting a bit longer for your mics. If this is a problem then do send an email before ordering and Jez can advise on possible dispatch times. Unless we are 'off grid' internet wise you will get an email letting you know but we would ask for your understanding with any delays.

JrF products are made by Jez and his daughter, the artist Pheobe riley Law, and we both actually use these devices in our work. Jez has a long and very active involvement with creative field recording / sound / music and we strongly believe thats one of the reasons these microphones are as highly regarded as they are. This also means there is a need, and interest, in keeping up with our own creative work, constantly listening at deeper levels.

thanks….

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C-SERIES PRO+ CONTACT MICROPHONES

We’re pleased to announce the release of the JrF c-series pro+ contact microphones, alongside some small batch versions in different colour combinations.

£45 (UK)
£50 (rest of world)

postage options include 1st class, special delivery (UK) or tracked (rest of world)

Supplied with 2m high quality, specifically designed cable & neutrik jack*
Extra cable is £3.50 per metre

The c-series contact microphones are already used by thousands of artists, recordists, sound designers and ecoacoustic researchers so we’re keeping all the good things about that design. Indeed the hand built elements used for the c-series are as good as this technology can get, with the widest frequency range on the market & are also used in the c-series pro+ mics.

. thicker, oxygen free cable, with more core strands and increased flexibility.

. neutrik 1/4 inch jack as standard, with metal barrel, and brass one-piece connection
  points to enhance signal transfer and reject moisture.

. extra layers of acoustic transfer and outer coatings to further protect the
  microphone element

. smaller batches available in a in a range of colours.

. available in the classic black / white dot colour, or, in smaller batches, currently;

cadmium (with black or white dot)
azure (blue with black or white dot)
bark (brown / white dot) 
obsidian (black / black dot)

c-series pro+ contact microphones can be ordered now.

I do suggest using these microphones with the XLR impedance matching adaptors if your recorder has XLR inputs, as this both improves the frequency response and also helps avoid interference from the recorder.

when Pheobe started to collaborate on building JrF microphones she began thinking about colour, influenced by listening through the mics to trees, plants, insects (inc. ladybirds, hence the cadmium versions) and city surfaces.

the bark shifts, otter
salted
ladybird cadmium
obsidian

tilts metal resonant
foraging beneath the surfaces of
field, architecture, instrument or object

NB. THE WHITE or BLACK FOAM DOT IS THERE TO PROTECT THE MIC WHEN BEING PRESSED ONTO A SURFACE. IT IS THE OTHER 'NON DOT' SIDE THAT SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE SURFACE / OBJECT TO BE RECORDED

nb. if you already have the c-series contact microphones you don’t need to upgrade, unless you want to of course. The differences, though beneficial, don’t make the c-series obsolete, hence why they will continue to be available in the JrF range of specialist microphones. Both designs use the same elements & have a very similar frequency response.

JRF C-SERIES+ 'ECOUTIC' ADAPTED CONTACT MICROPHONE

designed for listening to plants, soil and other subsurface environments, the 'ecoutic' adaptation is suitable for use in ecoacoustic research and creative sound practices. 

An adapted version of the now iconic c-series microphones that have been at the forefront of creative sound and scientific research for many years, leading the way in new techniques to explore sounds in the soil, plants, trees, architecture and in performance. They’ve been part of ground breaking studies, shifts in knowledge about multiple species, installations, exhibitions, albums, award winning documentaries, films and games, and, of course, a vast range of artistic works, across forms & genres.

£60 inc. 3 probes (UK)
£65 inc. 3 probes (rest of world)

postage options include 1st class, special delivery (UK) or tracked (rest of world)

with neutrik jack and 2m cables as standard

supplied with three probes; small, medium and long
(spare probes are also available for an additional cost)

This adaption is based on the mics that Jez and Pheobe use in some of their own work and research into the sounds of moss, trees, plants and soil systems, and allows different sized, interchangeable probes to be attached easily to the microphone.

As with every JrF microphone, ethics and the principle of quality sound at a reasonable price has guided the process, with each part of the adaptation being sourced from recycled or sustainable materials where possible, microphone elements that are custom built for the widest frequency response + acoustic transfer coatings.

The adaptation is simple, with the adaptor attached to a c-cm+ mic. We could have created a new, bespoke part but the additional cost to customers and environmental impact was an issue, therefore we are using parts already in production for other uses. We have however worked with manufacturers to increase the use of recycled materials and to remove coatings on the adaptors and probes that can affect some insect species.

Batches will be released at regular intervals. Email to order or be placed on the list for the next available batch.

*further advice and information can be found here

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D-SERIES+ HYDROPHONES

d-series+ = £65 (UK) / £70 (rest of world)*

postage options include 1st class, special delivery (UK) or tracked (rest of world)

Supplied with 5m high quality, specifically designed cable

*d-series+ hydrophone comes with a neutrik jack and oxygen free cable
standard d-series hydrophone Jack upgrade £5 per microphone

Extra cable is £3.50 per metre

postage upgrades to first class, special delivery (UK) or fully tracked (EU / Rest of World) are also available

Supplied with 5m high quality, specifically designed cable. The standard d-series hydrophone has a Rean brand jack as standard or a higher specification metal barrelled Neutrik 1/4 jack with brass connection points (improving signal pass and condensation rejection) upgrade inc. postage is available for £5 per microphone. The d-series+ hydrophone has the neutrik jack and oxygen free cable. 

Stereo pairs' are always two separate microphones, each with its own cable and jack. Therefore if you are ordering the jack upgrade remember that you need TWO for a stereo pair.

I do suggest using these microphones with the XLR impedance matching adaptors if your recorder has XLR inputs (see below), as this both improved the frequency response and also helps avoid interference from the recorder.

Extra cable can be added and on d-series microphones is currently £3.50 per metre. 
please email me (using the contact form on the main page) for quotes and estimated dispatch of custom length cabled units (nb. postage charges might increase if more than 5 extra metres is added to your order)


features:

Higher spec, low noise, flexible specially designed cable

Small profile capsule 

Calibrated for both fresh and salt water environments**

Weighted to submerge to any depth needed

Higher specification element using a new 'ceramic weld' technique

Additional layer of the JrF exclusive 'acoustic transfer' coating

Quality 1/4 inch jack (Rean / Neutrik).

Available as single mono hydrophone or in stereo pairs. 


**other hydrophones are built for use in salt water / ocean environments, and whilst they can pick up some sounds in fresh water, the JrF d-series hydrophone can pick up a wider range, including fish, aquatic insects, pond weed etc.

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COIL PICK-UP'S 
for electromagnetic recording



£15 / £18 (3.5mm / 1/4 inch - UK) 
£18 / £20 (3.5mm / 1/4 inch - rest of world)

postage options include 1st class, special delivery (UK) or tracked (rest of world)

supplied with pre-fitted 1m cable and with 3.5mm or 1/4 inch jack

NB. I only adapt these coils, to remove the frequency limiting circuits mostly applied to ones bound for Europe. Depending on your location you might be able to find un-limited ones elsewhere.

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STANDARD SERIES MICROPHONES

CONTACT MIC

£28 (UK)
£30 (rest of world) 

HYDROPHONE

£50 (UK)
£55 (rest of world)

postage options include 1st class, special delivery (UK) or tracked (rest of world)

Supplied with 2m cable
Extra cable is £2.50 per metre


Available with a Rean brand 1/4 inch or 3.5mm mini-jack (please specify) as standard.

IMPORTANT: please remember to add a note to your payment letting me know whether you want 3.5mm or 1/4 inch jack on your microphone.

I do suggest using these microphones with the XLR impedance matching adaptors if your recorder has XLR inputs, as this both improves the frequency response and also helps avoid interference from the recorder.

Extra cable on standard units is currently £2.50 per metre. 

Please email me (using the contact form at the bottom of this website) for quotes and estimated dispatch of custom length cabled units (nb. postage charges might increase if more than 5 extra metres is added to your order)

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XLR IMPEDANCE ADAPTORS



£25

*Free postage when ordered with microphones. If ordered separately standard p&p is £3 per adaptor

Recommended for connecting JrF c-series contact microphones, d-series hydrophones (and standard contact mics and hydrophones) to XLR input recorders such as those made by Sound Devices, Fostex, Nagra, Tascam, Edirol, etc.  

Impedance matching significantly improved frequency response and also avoids interference from a recorders internal circuits.

I've used lots of different adaptors over the years and these are the ones that work best. Well built and they work better than transforming adaptors costing a great deal more.

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DUAL 1/4 INCH TO STEREO 3.5MM ADAPTOR



£12 (UK)
£15 (REST OF WORLD)

*Free postage when ordered with microphones. If ordered separately standard p&p is £3 per adaptor.

Ideal for connecting 2 JrF contact mics, hydrophones or coils to recorders with 3.5mm input socket such as those made by Zoom, Olympus, Sony etc.

Allows everyone to explore the possibilities of true stereo sound capture, working with two microphones into a single mini jack input.

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DUAL 3.5MM TO STEREO 3.5MM ADAPTOR

£12 (UK)
£15 (REST OF WORLD)

*Free postage when ordered with microphones. If ordered separately standard p&p is £3 per adaptor.

Ideal for connecting 2 JrF contact mics, hydrophones or coils fitted with 3.5mm jacks to recorders with 3.5mm input socket such as those made by Zoom, Olympus, Sony etc.

Allows everyone to explore the possibilities of true stereo sound capture, working with two microphones into a single mini jack input.

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AUDIO RELEASES, BOOKS ETC




Digital and physical releases of sound works by Jrf, and other artists, are available by visiting the Engraved Glass bandcamp page here

Various books are also available - details here


 IN THE FIELD

CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT (SUMMER 2024)

£15 (UK)
£20 (EU)
£25 (REST OF WORLD)


240 page book featuring interviews with leading creative field recordists

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For tips & guidance on how to use contact microphones, hydrophones and coil microphones, inc. advice of how to attach the contact mics to surfaces, click here

JrF microphones are widely used around the world by sound recordists, artists, musicians, galleries, museums, universities, sound designers (for film, tv, games, radio), nature researchers, environmental groups, wildlife trusts, aquariums and other organisations. You can find a small list here

To hear examples of recordings and sound works using JrF microphones please click here, here and here

all content is copyright Jez riley French and cannot be used without the express permission of the artist