Hey Everyone,

What do the guys at Electrical prefer when recording vocals? Pop filters (Popper Stopper-style devices) or nothing at all? If used, what type? And, are certain types of pop filter more suitable for certain mics? For instance, Royer markets a metal mesh pop filter rather than the traditional pantyhose type. Also, does anyone notice a loss of certain frequencies with the use of pop filters?

Dan

If it's available, I'll use the royer pop screen. I've had better results with that one over the fabric one. But I have this sneaking suspicion that it's pretty relative and subjective about which one is better most of the time.

Ive never used the Royer screen, but Im pretty sure it works under the same principles as other metal screens ive used. The little holes are actually angled vents the direct the wind from the mouth of the vocalist away from the capsule or ribbon of the microphone to prevent pops. I assume the royer works the same way because in the case of a ribbon microphone, it not only prevents "pops", but it also protects the ribbon element from losing its integrity or getting dislogded from strong gusts of air. These pop filters can also protect your microphones from the stinky breath of interns.

michaeltheangryrussian wrote:Ive never used the Royer screen, but Im pretty sure it works under the same principles as other metal screens ive used. The little holes are actually angled vents the direct the wind from the mouth of the vocalist away from the capsule or ribbon of the microphone to prevent pops. I assume the royer works the same way because in the case of a ribbon microphone, it not only prevents "pops", but it also protects the ribbon element from losing its integrity or getting dislogded from strong gusts of air. These pop filters can also protect your microphones from the stinky breath of interns.

I've always found it hard to believe that those metal screens from Royer and Stedman don't affect the sound in some way. I'm willing to give them a try just because they look cool. But for the time being, I'm pretty content using pantyhose.

The answer to when to use pop screens is:

1.) Depends on the singer.

and sometimes

2.) Depends on the mic

I can generally sing in front of any mic without popping - just through years of practice and taking a step back, or adjusting the angle. But I have one particularly poppy condenser (which shall remain nameless) that I can't do without pantyhose. I've pretty much retired that mic for this reason.

And some singers always require pantyhose - even on dynamics...

Kato