Microphone Pop Filter: Why You Need Them

Almost every picture of a voice actor taken during a recording session includes a pop filter.

However, does the fact that microphone pop filters are everywhere mean that you need one for every single microphone model on the market?

Is it possible to stand in front of the microphone in a way that you could get the same results you’d get if you had a pop filter?

To answer questions like this, we need to understand how popping sounds emerge, what microphone pop filters are, and how they might be useful.

Why Do Popping Sounds Happen?

Plosive sounds are those noticed on letters such as P and B and appear spontaneously when speaking. If you visualize holding a lit match close to your mouth when speaking, such sounds will cause the light to flare.

Popping sounds can be amplified if you record with your mouth too close to the mic. The plosive sounds interact with the diaphragm of the mic, resulting in an output waveform.

A microphone pop filter functions as a wall between plosive sounds and the mic, removing them entirely from the finished piece.

What Exactly Are Mic Pop Filters And When Should They Be Used?

A microphone pop filter (see also ‘Blue Yeti Pop Filter‘) is a device that shields mic capsules from plosive power. A pop filter reduces the popping sounds caused by air gusts from the vocal tract and other inputs.

Microphone pop filters dissipate transient sound waves between a transmitter and a microphone capsule. As you can tell, they are pretty useful.

Using your own pop filter eliminates issues at both the high and low frequencies of the audio, allowing for simpler post-production and, inevitably, nicer sounding demos, recording vocals, and final projects.

Several voice actors cherish their pop filters and wouldn’t ever record without them, but it’s up to you to figure out what works best for you.

Here are the benefits of utilizing a microphone pop filter, as well as possible alternatives for attaining maximum sound if a pop filter somehow doesn’t work for you:

• Microphone pop filters are ideal for use indoors.
• Using a pop filter eliminates problems on both the high and low ends, making it easier to remove unwanted sounds and frequency bands.
• They reduce the popping noises induced by the mechanical abrasion of rapidly flowing air on the mic.
• They help to reduce plosives like Ps and Bs, as well as sibilance (the hissing noise caused by overly obvious S sounds). They also assist you in keeping moisture off the microphone, which aids in the preservation of your equipment.

Aspects To Think About When Purchasing A Microphone Pop Filter

Size

The size of the pop filter is determined by the size of your microphone. You’ll want a diameter that fits both your mic and the way you usually behave when you record.

For instance, if you keep moving around a lot while recording, a larger diameter pop filter is probably something you should choose.

Shape

You can find pop filters of all shapes on the marketplace.

Flat filters are less expensive, but you must speak more actively into their center. Curved filters, on the contrary, provide more gamut and motion during recording because they function properly from every angle.

Mounts

The mounts that come with the filters are also worth taking into account. Most pop filters include microphone accessories such as telescoping mount that mounts into the filter frame and clamp.

Make absolutely sure the telescoping neck is sufficiently long to allow you to properly attach the filter right in front of the mic.

Alternative Ways To Remove Popping Sounds

Before you go for your own pop filter, let’s look at some other options for removing unwanted pops.

Try Singing Off-Axis

 You are “on-axis” when you sing straight into the front of a mic, roughly parallel to its capsule. Any stance other than a 90 ° angle is considered off-axis.

To prevent a head-on interference between the singer’s air chamber and your condenser microphone, attempt turning the mic or making a step to the left or right.

Even so, singing off-axis may not be the safest alternative in a live multitrack setting where polar structures are important and bleed-through from other instruments is a big worry. But it’s fantastic for overdubs!

Smile And Sing

When vocal recording, smiling raises the edges of your mouth and tightens the lips and jaw, resulting in a controlled air column that is probably not going to require a pop filter.

Try to sing things like “peanut butter” into the microphone and compare tight, smiling lips to the plosive, popping ones.

Use A Pencil

If you frequently record vocalists or voice actors, a trusty schoolground special #2 pencil may become your greatest and most valuable piece of equipment.

Whenever a vocalist with stage experience is having trouble in the studio, having them hold a pencil to their lips while singing as it assists in preventing pops by obstructing the air column.

It also assists with microphone technique, as several live performers prefer to use portable microphones as opposed to a condenser microphone that is stable and has a pop filter on it.

Advise the performer to “sing into the pencil” and place the microphone where it will sound better.

Top Microphone Pop Filters And Pop Screens Available

There are numerous pop screens and filters on the market. The best one for you will be determined by your requirements and your budget.

Here are different kinds of pop filters to keep in mind, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

Pop Filters Made Of Nylon Mesh

Pros

• Excellent for beginners.
• Standard for low cost in the music and performance business
• Excellent for stripping away plosives.

Cons

• Because audio can be hampered, high frequencies are frequently removed.
• Nylon is a sensitive material that is easily damaged.

Metallic Mesh Filters/Metal Pop Filters

Pros

• Wider holes were used to reduce the effect of high frequencies.
• Solidly built
• They are usually smaller, which means they are less obstructive.

Cons

• Because the metal sheet is slim, it is easy to bend if you’re not cautious.
• Metallic filters can generate a subtle whistling sound over time.

The Bottom Line: How To Choose Your Own Pop Filter

A great microphone pop filter will place all the importance on your recording’s excellent sound quality and the removal of undesired plosive sounds.

So, when choosing a pop filter, do your best to test as many as you can to ensure that the one you choose fits your voice and mic.