Mic for “Plosives” and “Sibilance Issues

Phyllis K. Day

I’m looking for a microphone that is recommended for “plosives” and “sibilance” problems. My own speech issues coupled with a mic that seems to bring out the worst, hollers for a solution. Can you make suggestions in the $200 - $500 range? Would an RE20 be a good one? What about a RODE NT-2?

Amy Snively · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007, 20:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Have you got a good pop filter? I use a Stedman, but there are other metal screen pop filters that are good as well. I find them to be superior to the cheap pantyhose filters that many of us use.

I've never heard of a mic that minimizes plosives and esses, though. Maybe someone else has. You can always soften your plosives in Adobe Audition. Esses are harder, de-essing reduces overall audio quality, and it just softens them, it doesn't crisp them up. So it can make the audio more difficult to understand, as well.

Have you tried practicing with a pencil in your mouth?

Good luck!

Edited to add: Oh! Here is a discussion on the Neumann message board about a similar topic. There might be some help for you here!

Phyllis K. Day

Victor Harris · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 02:42 (GMT) Post subject:

I know it sounds a little old school, but I have a Shure SM58 (not a SM57) in my studio just for use with women sometimes. It really is a great mic for cutting down "esses". When used with a pop screen, its awesome. I think you will be "shocked and awed" with one Phyllis. Wink

George Karnes · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 03:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Phyllis-
Are you using a pop filter now?

Nikki Saco · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 04:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi, I mentioned this on another post asking about mics. The Shures do seem to be a little more forgiving with esses and in general are just warmer, less tinny, for the female voice. I use the SM7b. That said, I do think mic placement has more to do with eliminating unwanted noise than does your choice of mics. I now have my mic at eye level pointed down to my mouth which takes it away from my wind stream, and has really helped in reducing all kinds of unwanted noise.

Also, Amy's right that you'll want to have a pop filter if you don't already. Seriously, it doesn't just reduce plosives, but (not to be gross) keeps your mic dry which will prolong it's life.

Phyllis K. Day · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 05:09 (GMT) Post subject: Pop Filters

George Karnes · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 05:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Phyllis-
I think you will be pleased with the change a pop filter will make. I am using one made of a nylon and a kitchen strainer. It looks really odd, but filters out those plosives and eeesssses really well. I plan to buy one because I think it will work even better than what I have and also to help me more with that chin position you noticed.

Be sure to get it stretched tight.

Nikki Saco · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007, 06:04 (GMT) Post subject: Pop Filter Recipe

A plastic 5" kitchen strainer is an excellent frame for a homemade pop filter, and it has a handle you can attach to a mic boom. Use ankle or kneehigh nylons as opposed to stockings. They stretch tighter over the strainer. Mine's doubled up over the frame, so it really eliminates the air without impeding the sound. If like me, you want it to look halfway decent, you can paint the strainer black.

The nylon's held in place with a black plastic cable tie and some electrical tape. There's a hole at the end of the strainer and that slips over the mic boom and I pull the whole thing back towards the boom with a velcro tie. Since the plastic gives a little, it's all snug and steady.

Honestly, you can save $15 or $20 because the only thing a pop filter does is reduce the air bursts and stretched nylon absolutely does that. I'd rather spend the money on hardware and software, and I do.

Don't be shy about homemade stuff. I know of one person who was using a broom handle as a mic boom. I wouldn't trust my mic to a broom handle, but you get the idea. In the 80's we made most of our own sound effects (no Internet downloads). I created squealing rat noises for the play "1984" by sucking air between my bottom lip and upper teeth and dubbing it with delays onto reel to reel. Yeah, the homemade stuff can definitely work.

Phyllis K. Day · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:04 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Pop Filter Recipe

Amy Snively · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Very pretty! Very Happy

Todd Ellis · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:19 (GMT) Post subject:

A metal screen in a pop filter helps more with plosives. --- here's one for a measly $15

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-Metal-Pop-Filter?sku=426600&src=3WFRWXX

Nikki Saco · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Bottoms up!! That's great! Very innovative. How well does it work? If you put your hand up on the other side, can you feel any air when you blow through it?

How's that closet working for you without padding on the wall? I use to record effects in a control room that had little padding, but that was to get it to sound boxy, never for narration. Confined spaces don't seem to work well for me without padding. LOL! I didn't mean it that way... really...

Nikki Saco · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:27 (GMT) Post subject:

you're a kill joy, Ellis

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007, 04:31 (GMT) Post subject:

hahahaha....sure Nikki...sure!