When good foam goes bad: pop filter replacement options

[Dubmaniac]

So I got a vintage AKG D88 stereo dynamic microphone the other day at a thrift store. It's in fairly good condition, but it has two issues. First, one of the elements has come loose inside the housing. All I have to do is hot glue it back into place and it should be fine. But the second issue is the reason for this post. All the foam that used to be the internal pop filter has dried out and disintegrated. My first thought was to just put more foam inside and call it good, but I know that in a matter of time, it'll do the same thing. What are some other good options for materials? I need something that will allow most of the audio to pass through, but will still stop the pops. Or I could just leave it empty, but that would mean I could never use it outdoors because of wind noise. What would you do?

[CurtZHP]

It takes modern foam 15-20 years to start to disintegrate like that. If you go to a fabric store or upholstery shop, they can sell you a piece of low density foam that you can shape with a razor or other fine cutting tool. Buy a piece bigger than you need so you have more than one try to get it right.

Upholstery shops throw away much larger pieces than you'll need, so they might even give it to you.

[Bill @ Irie Lab]

Great tip.

Loving tag sales and thrift shops myself, I'll add another - blow through it.

Foam (or fabric for acoustic panels) that passes air easily also has low sound attenuation.

Good luck,

Bill

[CurtZHP]

.... passes air easily also has low sound attenuation....

My dad passes air easily, and let me tell you, there's no sound attenuation whatsoever!

[Bill @ Irie Lab]

I didn't realize I was speaking SBD - Silent But Deadly!

Maybe you could bring Dad with you to the foam store.

[CurtZHP]

He's an upholsterer by trade, so he has his own supply.