Poppin' and lockin'

[CedarSound]

Probably showing my age with that title.. Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo..

I am thinking about picking up a new pop filter, and keep reading conflicting opinions... metal filters are better than fabric, metal filters are terrible, all filters introduce weird phasing issues so they all should be avoided, etc..

I have a cheap fabric one that I have had for years, and am thinking about buying one of the stedman pro-screens... would that be, in your experience, a good idea or a bad idea? discuss..

(Oh, and I did use the search function on this, by the way... thought maybe someone would have a fresh opinion on this topic..if that makes sense) Thanks!
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[Nick Sevilla]

I have both a regular nylon mesh one, and a newer style one from Blue, which has metal mesh instead of nylon.
They both work great, I usually use the metal mesh one for more intense poppers.
And as to it introducing weird phasing or masking the sound. I have not experienced this issue.

Cheers
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The Song. Nothing else really matters.

[Gregg Juke]

I've never heard of the issues that were cited, but I've always used one, and for years as a musician, singer, and v.o. person in other people's studios, I always saw them being used.

What I have heard is the nasty sound of popped plosives and moisture-overwhelmed low end distortion that accompanies the use of almost all condenser mikes if a filter isn't used. So, I'd go with a filter!

If you want to go really DIY, a wooden craft hoop and some L'Egg's pantyhose do the trick nicely.

GJ

[CedarSound]

Cool, I think I will pick one up and check it out then.. Pantyhose definitely works, for sure... If I was just recording myself, that would be a good, cheap solution. Since I record other folks though, I want something that looks a little less home grown, if you know what I mean.
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[Gregg Juke]

Understood. But, a can of black spray paint and some care in construction can help the DIY filter look just as pro as the ones that are going to cost you $25 to $75 each. Otherwise, there are a variety of relatively decent and inexpensive models at your local Guitar Center.

GJ

[vvv]

Also a good idear with ribbons, and not just for singing ...
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[Marc Alan Goodman]

I've definitely heard pop filters have a seriously negative effect before, specifically in the esses. There have been singers where I had to move the filter, change it, or sometimes just take it out and deal with it (it helps if they know how to sing without blowing up a microphone). But there have also been plenty of cases where it didn't matter to me, and cases where the pop filter was absolutely essential to keep things from getting out of hand.

I've never had luck with the metal ones, but I've been using just standard cheap ones or pantyhose for years. I picked up a charter-oak one that velcros on to the mic which I use a lot. However I've been very interested in checking out some of the new, crazy options (that one with all the crazy waves in it, Pan50's blast pad, I know there was another one I can't remember) but that's an expense for another day.

For now, I'd say use a standard dual layer nylon one (or even just pantyhoes if your singer won't feel accuse you of overcharging for it), but if the vocal sounds strangely essey or smeary in the upper mids consider that it may be the cause. You can always try the old tape-a-pencil-to-the-mic trick to combat plosives as well, though it doesn't do much to keep spit off your capsules.
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[CedarSound]

Out of curiousity, why did you not have luck with the metal ones? Was it the problem with the esses that you mentioned?
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[Nick Sevilla]

I usuallt place the pop filter NOT close to the microphone, as this engates much of what it can do usefully.

Typically I place it about 4-6" from the microphone, and have the singer use "technique" behind this, without ever getting to touch the pop filter is possible.

Sometimes, when there is a really soft verse compared to a very loud chorus, I do two passes and or use two mics set to different sounds and gains for each section. The one with a pop filter might be the one for the choruses...

This usually will sort out any weirdness coming from the singers' mouth.

Cheers
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The Song. Nothing else really matters.

[Brett Siler]

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My musical endeavors!

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Studio:Mother Brain Sound Infrastructure

[chorga1]

The pencil trick works shockingly well - if your singer doesn't move around too much...

[JamesHE]

Singer / engineer here.

Sometimes I will hold the pop filter - and just stick in in front of my face on the plosives. I much prefer the sound of the mic without it.

Sometimes I pretend it's a tambourine and rock out with it, which is rather hilarious. not recommended with those frameless metal ones.

When I do use it attached, I put it at about a 30 degree angle to the plane of the capsule, this seems to help.

I wonder if anyone has tried anything similar.
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[CedarSound]

I just noticed the quote at the bottom of the photo... Man, if anyone is an expert in break dancing, it's that Carson Daly guy!
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