Listening to your favorite songs or podcasts makes the process of making high-quality audio recordings seem easy. In fact, without the right equipment and techniques, this is not easy (you can try it yourself). Fortunately, one of the most important tools in the recording process - a sound filter - can be easily made using household equipment. With the new noise filter, you can get rid of the “popping” sound in the recording process that usually comes from pronouncing the letters “P” and “B”.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Filter from Wire and Pantyhose
Step 1. Bend the hanger wire to form a circle
Pull the "bottom" of the triangular coat hanger as if you were pulling an arrow from a bow. You will now have a wire with a rough square shape.
Step 2. Continue to drag the parts that are still flat to make the shape more round - although it doesn't have to be perfectly round
If you have trouble bending the wire, use a pair of pliers to get a firmer grip. If you have a vise, use it to pinch one side of the hanger and pull it to the opposite side
Step 3. Attach a tight cloth or pantyhose to the hoop
Pull them as tight as you can to get a flat shape like the surface of the drum. Tie the remaining end of the fabric around the wire. Use masking tape or rubber bands to secure the remaining fabric and keep the center tight.
Step 4. Position the filter directly in front of the microphone
Place the object about 3-5 cm from the microphone. The filter must not come into contact with the microphone. The filter should be between your mouth and the microphone head when you are recording something. There's no "standard" way to do this - any way that makes the filter stand firmly in front of the microphone is fine. Below are some ideas to try!
- If you want, you can straighten the hanger hook and bend it wide, then attach the tape at the end to the support behind the microphone. Bend the wire so that the filter surface is in the correct position.
- Use tweezers to secure the sound filter to the microphone stand. You can buy small clamps cheaply at almost any hardware store.
- Attach the tape to attach the filter and other microphone support, then place it in front of the microphone.
- Keep in mind that some types of microphones are designed to pick up sound from above, while others are designed to pick up sound from the front. You need to install the filter right in front of the part of the microphone that is used to capture sound.
Step 5. Sing or speak through the pre-installed voice filter
Now, you are ready to record. Turn on your recording equipment and stand or sit down to position the filter between your mouth and microphone. Your mouth should be a few inches from the filter. Do the best!
Hear the sounds of the letters "P," "B," "S," and "Ch" on the recording. You shouldn't hear a popping sound from the pronunciation of the letters as long as the volume level is set correctly. On the other hand, without the use of a sound filter, your recordings will be full of distortion. Click here for a semi-technical guide to it (and how to avoid it!)
Method 2 of 3: Filter of Presence
Step 1. Prepare a marker
Step 2. Stretch the embroidered nylon fabric around the stand
A stapler is a ring-shaped frame of metal or plastic that is used to hold a piece of fabric together as you embroider. You can use a nozzle of any size, but a 15 cm diameter nozzle is the closest to a real air filter.
The shooter usually has a simple barrier on one side. Remove the barrier and tuck the fabric into the inner frame so that the fabric stretches on all sides. Snap the frame back into place and re-attach the barrier to keep the fabric stretchable. Look online for information on how to attach the fabric to the stand
Step 3. Use mosquito netting sheets as an alternative
This may not be entirely true, but sheets of hard fabric are believed to make for better sound filters. If you have a sheet of mosquito net or a plastic net that is usually used to cover the space in the door frame, you can use it. Spread the material around the plate as mentioned above.
Mosquito net can be found at most hardware stores. This stuff is cheap, but you usually need to buy a coil of wire all at once even if you only need a small amount
Step 4. Position the receiver in front of the microphone
Now, you just need to install the sound filter in the right location. As already mentioned, the easiest way to do this is to use tape, glue, or tweezers to attach the sound filter to a microphone stand. You can also attach the marker to a stick or straightened coat hanger wire, then attach it to the back of the microphone.
Sing or speak through the filter and microphone normally. With this method, the filter is only made of one thick layer, but this is not a problem. This thing should still work fine
Method 3 of 3: Filter from the Coffee Container Lid
Step 1. Take the plastic lid from a large coffee container
To use this method, you will need to use a round coffee pot lid to attach the cloth to be used as the filter. You can use a variety of sizes of container lids, but in general, rigid ones with a diameter of 15 cm are best.
Rigid plastic caps are best. Flexible, dented, and elastic can lids are not suitable for use
Step 2. Cut the center of the coffee pot lid, leaving the ring frame
Use scissors or a chisel to remove the entire center. When you're done, you'll get a rigid plastic frame. Discard the cut center.
For hard plastic caps, you may have to use a drill, awl, or saw to make holes in them. Wear gloves and eye protection before starting work
Step 3. Attach pantyhose or nylon cloth to cover the plastic lid frame
Once you have a round plastic frame, all you need to do is make a filter out of a stretchy or porous fabric. Use pantyhose or tights. Simply stretch the fabric around the frame, secure the ends at the bottom of the frame, then tie it with rubber or tape it together.
You can also use embroidered nylon fabric or mosquito net as previously mentioned, but the installation is a little more difficult. You can use tweezers, binder clips, or tape on the back of the frame to keep the material tight enough
Step 4. Use the filter according to the method mentioned above
Your sound filter is now ready to use. Use tape or tongs to position the object in front of the microphone as previously mentioned.
Tips
- Some people recommend wearing socks over the microphone as an alternative to a sound filter. Experts have different opinions on this - some say it's quite effective, while others claim that using a real sound filter provides better protection against “popping” and distortion.
- The raffia string is durable, and is the easiest way to hold a homemade sound filter in place. If you make a mistake, use a knife or scissors to cut the rope and repeat the process.
- Talking or singing quietly to the side of the microphone (not directly in front of it) can also help reduce the popping sound of P, B, etc.
