Is There a Need For Microphone Pop Filters?
Pop filters are a kind of transparent screen that is placed between the microphone and the performer, used to protect the microphone and improve the quality of the sound recording. This simple design is a must-have in home and professional recording studios and is also often used during live performances. Pop filters provide high sound quality and are commonly used indoors (studios), and during live performances, in conjunction with a windscreen.
Sound protection
The pop filter was created primarily to cope with explosive and hissing sounds, which are also called pop effects. To understand how it works and why it is needed, you can conduct an experiment (even a mental one): try pronouncing words containing explosive sounds, the so-called plosives, by holding a lit candle in front of you. You will see how the flame literally shakes when pronouncing the sounds “t”, “p”, etc. The fact is that when pronouncing explosive consonants, a sharp stream of air escapes from the mouth and acts on the microphone membrane like drum beats, which distorts the sound picture and can cause unpleasant sound sensations.
Studio condenser microphones are particularly susceptible to pop effects because their diaphragms are very light. Dynamic mics are a bit more tolerant of flat noise due to their bulkier diaphragms, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need pop filter protection.
To improve efficiency, some pop filters have a double grid so that anything that passes by the first layer is destroyed by the second. Such a screen will tame even the loudest explosive sounds. Also, some manufacturers produce pop filters in which you can change the grid density.
How to use a pop filter?
The proper placement is essential for a clean pop filter to work. In this case, two rules must be observed.
The mesh should be placed a few centimeters in front of the microphone so that there is a volume of still air between the pop filter and the microphone surface.
Pop filters should not be attached directly to the microphone, because in this case, vibrations will be transmitted from the first to the second, which will negatively affect the sound.
Mechanical protection
In addition to improving the quality of sound recordings, pop filters also serve to protect the microphone from spits. During singing or broadcasting, wet micro droplets are involuntarily released from the mouth, which, in the absence of a pop filter, settle on the microphone, then dirt sticks to them, mold can develop, etc. In addition to the aesthetic side of the issue, it is worth mentioning the saline composition of saliva, which can seriously damage unprotected equipment.
Let’s summarize
Why should you get a pop filter? To weed out explosive and hissing consonants that can spoil the result of sound recording. To protect the microphone from saliva and prolong its life of the microphone. To become an accessory that will fit perfectly in the studio, because some pop filters look very stylish.
If you are ready to record your hits then, as you can see, you’ll need proper microphone pop filter. To find one, just visit the JD Williams website.
WANT TO RECEIVE PERSONAL, STYLISH SUGGESTIONS TO YOUR EMAIL?
FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING FORM: