snap, crackle and pop!

[Erland]

Hi, perhaps you can help. When recording singing......

I find that I have to step to either side of the mic and sing from an angled direction as opposed to right into into it. Does that make sense? I am trying to stop it making a thump noise every so often especially just before a high part comes in. Also the occasional sss noise.

Im using a dynamic mic (contributed so kindly by a star here in the forum, thankyou ####) instead of the shure 606. Any advice. I just did a quick song, when the high part comes in, is this what I described as happening or am I just dodgy?

Erland Cooper


MatesTonight, nowhereradio but its in the clinic too.

[Randy Yell]

Try using a pop filter.You can buy one for twenty five bucks or so or you can make one using panty hose stretched over a small hoop.You can fashion a hoop out of a coat hanger but if that doesn't work for you you can buy a small embrodery hoop in the sewing dept of a department store.

[Erland]

I was goin to try the tights filter thing, does that really stop the thumps..cheers

[Randy Yell]

It will definetly help!

[Track Rat]

Angleing the mic as you're already doing plus using the pop filter will go a long way towards tameing esses and pops.

[Erland]

Best get some tights!

Cheers, Randy Yell and Track Rat. If you say it works, its works. Thanks fro the advice.

Cooper

[Axis]

you can go out and buy a windscreen those work for me when i record my pathetic vocals. What kind of mic is the #### it can't be as bad as what i use sometimes. what happened to the shure?

[Axis]

oops my mistake forget everything i said after my first .

OH no! you took off "its all about the live wire"? that was a good song!

[Erland]

Axis. Windscreen, think I`ll just make one. I can`t afford luxuries like that. I am not sure what kind of mic it is. I friend on the forum gave me one that he did not use and I think it sounds warmer than my shure. Its still a dynamic but it takes an AA battery. Live wire, no one really commented on that one and so I thought I would slap a new one on. What do you think?

Later

[battleminnow]

Musician's friend recently had the 4" pop filter for $9.99

Pete

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

I somehow see you being able to afford stuff REAL soon, my friend. *wink*. Best of luck, CHEEEERS! ---ROB )

Originally posted by Erland
Axis. Windscreen, think I`ll just make one. I can`t afford luxuries like that. I am not sure what kind of mic it is. I friend on the forum gave me one that he did not use and I think it sounds warmer than my shure. Its still a dynamic but it takes an AA battery. Live wire, no one really commented on that one and so I thought I would slap a new one on. What do you think?

Later

[Axis]

Live wire was actually my favorite of the songs that you had up. I sent it to some friends and they also thought the same. Windscreens are only like 2.99 I'm talking about the kind that slide on over the microphone. One thing i noticed with all your songs I'm not shure if you did it on purpuse or not, but i really like it is how you would start it out softer on one speaker and then increase the volume and pan it more central.

[Erland]

I may pop into my local guitar shop and have a look!

battleminnow. Cheers

SOUND DIAGNOSIS. Dude!

Axis. Me too. Cheers. Thats just right by the way! I am so chuffed you listened to them.

Here is another question?

If I did save up for a diaphram mic, would that mean that everything would be picked up? My flatmates, the people upstairs, the firdge. etc. I suppose that would just get frustrating?

Erland

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

"If I did save up for a diaphragm mic, would that mean that everything would be picked up? My flatmates, the people upstairs, the firdge. etc. I suppose that would just get frustrating?"

To a point yes. Answer??? 1.) Give your flatmates and your upstairs neighbors 15 mgs Valium® or any other Diazepam product prior to recording tracks. 2.) Remove fridge; through out the window; watch out for pedestrians.
Seriously, in my opinion, with what fine ordinance you have loaded in your particular musical weapon, just pick up a Marshall V67 for 100 bucks (great for vocals I may add) and a decent pre-amp. Make a few more demos (only with a little more added crispness and clarity from which I observed), and just let "THEM" (studios) worry about your productions when you are all set up for same. And if I don't hear your shit on the air in a year, I am going to go over there and kick some U.K. ass! Have I made myself clear??? Good luck, brother! ----ROB

[Harvey Gerst]

Erland,

You can also use a rubberband and a pencil to eliminate esses and reduce popping. Place the pencil so that it is directly in front of the diaphragm and secure it with a rubberband. The pencil diverts the airstream to either side and prevents any popping. It's an old studio trick which works very well on side address microphones, although it can be adapted to front address mics as well.

[Randy Yell]

That sounds pretty cool!

[Erland]

SOUND DIAGNOSIS. dude! thankyou so much for that

Harvey Gerst. that is the coolest thing! i love learing these cheeky wee tricks.

thankyou, bye

[knownuttin]

Erland, sounds like you're in the unique position of having more brains and talent than money. Be sure to take full advantage of this blessing. You can accomplish so much with mic placement. Experiment with different angles and distances. If I were you, I'd strap a pencil on the mic and try cutting some vocals with it hanging from the height of my forehead angled down at my nose from about 8 inches away.

PS-I used the wife's stocking stretched over a coat hanger loop for months before getting a store-bought foam screen which only looks better but is no more effective.
-kent

[DarthFaders]

Interesting, Harvey. I'll have to try that out...seems like it wouldn't sound as good as just using a pop filter. Doesn't it mess with the pickup pattern, or the coloration of the mic? You'd have to have a big diaphram I would think. I'm anxious to try it out.

Darth

[SOUND DIAGNOSIS]

Would the acoustic properties of a Ticonderoga® #2 pencil be adequate for this modification? Just kidding, Harvey. Great posts as always. Don't change. You have my ear, my friend. ---ROB

[heylow]

Can't one just point angle the mic downward at the nose while singing stright ahead to avoid this?

I think I got this tidbit offa Harvey as well!


I like Harvey



heylow

[knownuttin]

Yes, one can, and this helps. That's why I suggested about two posts up.

As for the pencil, it doesn't interfere with the sound much, but it does help deflect the impact of the low frequency pops, etc., away from the diaphram.
-kent

[Erland]

Cheers for the advice. I am ready now to ask my big question? I will put it on a new thread. Cheers

[muzeman]

Erland,
Your music is so good I don't think anyone even noticed,hope it works for you though.

A pencil and a rubber band,pure genius!
Can't wait to try this one.

Harvey,
Is it ok to rap the rubber band around the face of the mic,or would it be better to hook it top and bottom around the back?

Best to you,
Pete

[Harvey Gerst]

Originally posted by muzeman
A pencil and a rubber band,pure genius!
Can't wait to try this one.

Harvey,
Is it ok to rap the rubber band around the face of the mic,or would it be better to hook it top and bottom around the back?

Best to you,
Pete

Since the typical mic diaphragm is round, it shouldn't make much difference which way the pencil is orientated. All you're trying to do is divert the air blast.