Pop Filters

DannyJones21 · Post by **DannyJones21** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:41 am

I'm a student studying business at Uni but I'm also a musician/amateur recording engineer. I'm currently doing a market research module and have decided to do it on the exciting world of pop filters.

I know they are almost an essential when recording certain sources but have always found them to be failing in a few areas. Because of this I'd be interested to hear your opinions on pop filters on the market and what you think of them.

The questionnaire is 8 questions long and shouldn't take you more than 2 minutes to do so if you've got some spare time and want to give pop shields some love I'd really like to hear your thoughts!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HSX5HDC

I know that when I use pop filters I often find them relatively annoying but I'm not sure if this is because I'm using cheap ones that droop all the time. What do you think is the best pop filter on the market and are expensive ones better than the cheaper ones? Do pop filters really colour the sound that much, I've never noticed anything myself when using metal and fabric ones. Is it really that much of an issue or are there more important things in your recording chain to worry about?

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:05 am

I don't use pop filters because they make my Jack & Coke taste funny.

(Them and the Coke.)

(I answered the survey more seriously.)

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 5:53 am

Answered your survey.
I try to not use a poop filter.
But then, sometimes it cannot be helped.

Cheers

Gregg Juke · Post by **Gregg Juke** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 5:58 am

You guys are like Stiller & Meara (you decide which one is which). vvv, that was a looong way around the horn to make a boozing joke...

OP, I will answer your questions. But Just. This. Once.

GJ

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:03 pm

Ha!

Y'know, I never really expect anyone to pay much attention to my tomfoolery ...

I should mention, I was reading somewhere that one reason Sinatra, et al. had their expensive Neuemanns hung upside down was so that any spit would drain away from the mic body.

I mean, if ever someone needed a reason to use a pop filter ...

RoyMatthews · Post by **RoyMatthews** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:14 pm

vvv wrote:Ha!

Y'know, I never really expect anyone to pay much attention to my tomfoolery ...

I should mention, I was reading somewhere that one reason Sinatra, et al. had their expensive Neuemanns hung upside down was so that any spit would drain away from the mic body.

I mean, if ever someone needed a reason to use a pop filter ...

I was told it was so the heat in the tubes didn't rise towards the capsule. Who know's what's true these days...

vvv · Post by **vvv** » Fri Feb 14, 2014 3:04 pm

Found it; it was actually a cuppla comments to the below-cited Recordinghacks article:

"Tube or FET, don?t forget about one thing ? spitting. When mic is uspide-down {sic}, it?s much cleaner after recording session, and pop-filter helps only a bit."

and,

"I have always hung my LDC microphones upside down. Two main reasons:
1. As mentioned to get it out of the way of the music stand with the words or music.
2. if perchance any spit goes on the capsule it will drain downwards because of gravity towards the ground and away from the other electronics of the microphone."

Besides mebbe ruling out temperature, not blocking the music stand, singer's movements/gestures and singer's posture are also theorized as reasons.

cite

jgimbel · Post by **jgimbel** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:59 am

So basically what we're saying we'd all like a newly-designed pop filter with a trough at the bottom to catch everything that inevitably pours out of the microphone at the end of every session.

In all seriousness, I took the survey. I'm curious what improvements are being considered.

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:40 pm

I recently ordered a JZ microphone pop filter and it's simply amazing. you can blow pretty fiercely and not feel a breeze on the other side. no noticeable effect on the frequency content. it's basically 2 steel mesh ripples the raise outward in the center with a steel brace between them. the gooseneck and clap are top notch too.

http://www.jzmic.com/eng/jzstore/Accessories

Gregg Juke · Post by **Gregg Juke** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 5:14 am

Hey, looks cool otto, how much does it cost (the site's not telling)?

GJ

rhythm ranch · Post by **rhythm ranch** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:08 am

One dealer has it "discounted" to $119.
http://www.purewaveaudio.com/product/JZ ... ilter.html

ott0bot · Post by **ott0bot** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:07 pm

I got it for around $100 direct from JZ. I joined the mailing list and got a 20% off coupon mailed to me. Worth every penny.

gregovertone · Post by **gregovertone** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:20 pm

kurt ballou referenced one he bought (in his create live series) because it's dishwasher safe.

i need to revisit that segment and get the brand, because that's brilliant.

The Scum · Post by **The Scum** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 12:56 pm

I've got Steadman and Groove Tubes pop filters that are virtually indistinguishable...one has a "GT" embossed in the metal, and I think the clamps are slightly different.

Dishwasher-safe being a prime criteria.

The clamps on both are stamped out of sheet metal, but in practice they're no more flimsy/flexible than my mic stands.

If you really wanted to DIY a nice pop filter, start with one of these:
http://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/ ... mic-stands

Then add one of these:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12054

And a piece of this:
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/perfo ... c:AV-36594

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:06 am

I made my own pop filter in 1998 out of a coat-hanger and a pair of my ex's black nylon stockings. The girl is long gone but the pop filter still works great. I use it when I need something for a bit of a nostalgic, emotionally immature sound.

I also have this combo, http://www.shockmount.com/page2.html, and I still use it all of the time. Foam the shock mount if needed.

Survey completed.

Jeff

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