Last year JJ Blair posted a shootout of 5 pop filters over on the PSW Acid Test forum. The topic came up in the latest HRS episode, I thought it was interesting as it’s one of those things you don’t really think about. You likely use a pop filter for vocals as a rule without thinking about the effect on the sound. There is a subtle difference in coloration with each one. Download the file to hear for yourself below.
This is a listening test. I used 4 commercial pop filters, and Terry’s foam method. This is a blind listening test for the first number of days. All you need to know is that the first sample of my terrible singing is me, a Manley Gold, a Vac Rac pre, and no filter. The file is 44.1/16 aiff.
The filters used were the Pauly, the Pete’s Place, the Steadman (round one) and the Popper Stopper.
Download Filter Test
Answers
ɹǝʌoɔ ɯɐoɟ (9#
ʎןnɐd ǝɥʇ (5#
ǝɔɐןd s,ǝʇǝd (4#
ɹǝddoʇs ɹǝddod (3#
uɐɯpɐǝʇs (2#
ɹǝʇןıɟ ou (1#
I for one will not stop using a pop filter (I have far better things to do than edit out pops from vocals) but I’m more aware than ever that this choice affects the sound in a negative way.
What do you guys like for pop filters?
Also Interesting:
Quite awhile ago i got away from the standard pop filters and have instead gone to the slide on foam covers. I find it colors very little and it’s really convenient. It also serves as a dust cover when the mic isn’t in use.
I used pantty hose on a wire coat hanger for years. Worked just as good as the $20 pop-filter have now, except, the wire hanger never tossed the filter circle when adjusting. Really can’t justify the price of these things.
I know this is a bit old but I’m about to get a new pop filter and don’t really know which one… this test would help A LOT but the link to download the zip file doesn’t work anymoe… any chance somebody could re-upload it, please?
Thank you