What Is A Microphone Pop Filter

Noise protection filter for microphones

A popular filter between microphone and singer in use during a recording session.

A pop filter, pop shield or pop screen is a noise protection filter for microphones, typically used in a recording studio. It serves to reduce or eliminate popping sounds acquired past the mechanical impact of fast-moving air on the microphone from plosives during recorded speech communication and singing. Popular filters can also keep saliva off the microphone during recording.

Groundwork [edit]

Popping sounds occur peculiarly in the pronunciation of aspirated plosives (such as the first 'p' in the English word "popping"). Other plosives can be 't', 'k', 'd', 'b', and 'g' sounds. The popping audio recorded by a microphone has 2 components: the high-frequency component, acquired past air moving past the grille or other parts of the microphone body; and the low-frequency component, acquired by air impacting the diaphragm.^[1] Mechanical and electrical saturation (e.1000. clipping) can also play a role depending on the amount of headroom designed into these systems.

Construction [edit]

A typical pop filter is composed of one or more than layers of acoustically semi-transparent material such as woven nylon stretched over a circular frame, and often includes a clamp and a flexible mounting bracket. Metallic pop filters use a fine mesh metal screen in place of the nylon. Some studio condenser microphones take an integral pop filter built into their design.

Metal pop filters are durable and designed with wider holes having less effect on high frequencies.

An improvised pop shield, functionally identical to the professional units, tin be made with material from tights or stockings stretched over a kitchen sieve, embroidery hoop or a loop of wire such equally a bent dress hanger. It is of import that the pop shield non be fastened directly to the microphone every bit vibrations volition be transmitted from the shield to the microphone.

Part [edit]

Pop filters are designed to benumb the energy of the plosive, which otherwise might exceed the blueprint input chapters of the microphone, leading to clipping. In effect, the plosive'southward discrete envelope of audio energy is intercepted and broken upwardly by the strands of the filter cloth earlier it tin can impinge on, and momentarily distort, the sensitive diaphragm of the microphone. Popular filters do non appreciably affect hissing sounds or sibilance, for which de-essing is used.

Additionally, a pop filter can protect confronting the accumulation of saliva on the microphone element. Salts in homo saliva are corrosive, so the use of a popular filter may amend the lifespan of the microphone.^[ii]

A popular filter differs from a microphone windscreen. Pop filters are generally used in a studio surround to help improve the audio quality of the recorded vox, while windscreens are typically used outdoors and go rid of whatever low baloney. Windscreens are as well used by vocalists on stage to reduce plosives and saliva, though they may not be as acoustically transparent equally a studio pop filter.

Set up [edit]

The position of the pop filter depends on the amount of power the artist is going to communicate while recording. The position of the pop filter is different in different recording situations, with a further position from the microphone causing fewer pop sounds. More distance ways increasing the microphone gain and gaining more room racket. Normally, to get practiced quality, place the pop filter about 2-vi inches away from the microphone.^[3]

Come across also [edit]

Microphone § Windscreens

References [edit]

^ Wienhöfer, Wolf; Sennheiser, J (June 1, 1988). "Measuring Equipment for the Estimation of "Pop" Sensitivity of Microphones". JAES. Sound Engineering Club.
^ Russell, Mike. "The Microphone Pop Shield". Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
^ "Pop Shields: Why You Need Them". www.soundonsound.com . Retrieved 2021-05-18 .