Facts on Pop filters

  • Thread starter Thread starter ax1lla
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ax1lla

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Hi all,

After browsing through a ton of threads regarding pop filters, I feel I still don't have a clue.

Half of what I read tells newbs (like myself) to use panty hose. Another 25% say use metal only (stedman) and not nylon. Another 15% say use the cheap ones and they are just as good. Finally, the last portion says they are not needed and just have the vocalist sing correctly.

So, does anyone have a bit of science or facts behind what the pop filter does to the sound and how the different filters compare? For example, is there any data out there that shows how a metal pop filter changes the high end frequenies compared to panty hose?

I don't want to spend needless money....but I also don't want to take away from quality of the mic sound (SP B1).

Thanks,

Corey
 
There may be research, I don't know, and ok, it doesn't really answer your question, but i wouldn't worry about it.

Any effect a pop filter has is going to be minimal compared to other aspects of your recording chain or environment.

Maybe I'm dismissing this too readily, but if it was that big a deal, the answer would be easier to find, no?
 
Using the cheap/expensive pop filters or panty hose doesn't make a difference exept in price (and maybe smell).

I use a bit more expensive ones with goosenecks, just because they're easy to possition, not soundwise...

...in the end all they do is keep spit and airblasts (pops) out of the mic.

You're reading way to much into this, buy/make any pop filter and start learning about mics, compressors, preamps, arrangements. That's the stuff that matters.
 
yup...buy one or make one. You're just getting rid of the "pop" from your plosives when ya sing.
A lot of that can be taken care of by mic technique, angling the mic or smacking the singer in the head.
:D
 
ax1lla said:
Hi all,

After browsing through a ton of threads regarding pop filters, I feel I still don't have a clue.

Half of what I read tells newbs (like myself) to use panty hose. Another 25% say use metal only (stedman) and not nylon. Another 15% say use the cheap ones and they are just as good. Finally, the last portion says they are not needed and just have the vocalist sing correctly.

So, does anyone have a bit of science or facts behind what the pop filter does to the sound and how the different filters compare? For example, is there any data out there that shows how a metal pop filter changes the high end frequenies compared to panty hose?

I don't want to spend needless money....but I also don't want to take away from quality of the mic sound (SP B1).

Thanks,

Corey
Click to expand...

Wind (and pop) protection depends on the volume of still air that you create round a microphone.

A popperstopper is designed to do just this - create still air between the shield and the microphone.

So the further away from the mic. it is, the better the protection.

Yes, the design can affect the sound.

There seem to be 3 types: nylon screens, metal mesh screens and open-cell foam screens.

The Håkan P110 is reckoned to be one of the best (and not expensive) - it is open-cell foam that can be washed (and delivered with a spare foam) and with a wire frame that will not affect the sound. I know the designer spent a very long time researching the foam before finding a formulation that would effectively stop the plosives without affecting the sound.
HakanP110_webLogo.webp
M930_P110_225x375.webp
 
I've always used metal ones because I used to do a lot of on sight recording and broke the stupid frames on a couple of mesh pop filters. When I get another one it'll be mesh just for cost.

So for cost get the mesh, for durability get the metal (and that's only if you're going to be traveling a lot with it and you're stupid young kid who doesn't take care of his gear).

Oh, and stop reading the internet! It'll just confuse you! Go record! (speaking to myself)
 
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