Episode 355 - Proper Microphone Technique to Reduce Plosives and Sibilance Issues for Your Podcast
Here are four steps to help reduce plosives and sibilance when recording vocals, which can improve the quality of audio for podcasts, voiceovers, or vocal recordings:
1. Use a Windscreen or Pop Shield
- A foam windscreen or pop shield is an effective, affordable tool to prevent plosives (e.g., hard "P" sounds) and sibilance (e.g., sharp "S" sounds).
- Foam windscreens fit directly over the microphone, reducing plosives significantly but may slightly reduce high frequencies.
- A pop shield is a fine mesh screen placed in front of the microphone. It reduces plosives while retaining more high frequencies than a foam windscreen.
2. Increase Distance from the Microphone
- Moving a few inches away from the microphone can help reduce the impact of plosives and sibilance.
- Close proximity emphasizes low-frequency plosives, so maintaining some distance can mitigate this effect. This technique works especially well for condenser microphones but may be less effective for certain dynamic mics, which often sound best at close range.
3. Adjust Pronunciation of Plosives
- Encourage the speaker to consciously soften plosive sounds, such as "P" or "B." For example, they can say "plosive" more gently to avoid a burst of air hitting the microphone.
- This subtle change in articulation can minimize the plosive effect naturally.
4. Angle the Microphone Off-Axis
- Turn the microphone slightly away from the speaker’s mouth, either to the side, up toward the nose, or down toward the chest. This can help reduce high frequencies and control sharp “S” sounds.
- Be cautious with dynamic microphones, as they may not handle off-axis positioning as well as condenser microphones, potentially altering the sound quality.
Condenser Microphones are more sensitive and capture a wider frequency range, making them ideal for studio recording where detail and nuance are important. They require external power (like phantom power) to operate and are typically more delicate, so they’re better suited for controlled environments. A condenser microphone is commonly used for recording vocals in a music studio. Its sensitivity captures the nuances of a singer's voice, making it ideal for creating rich, detailed audio in controlled environments. A well-known condenser mic for this purpose is the Neumann U87.
Dynamic Microphones are more rugged and handle loud sounds well, making them ideal for live performances or noisy environments. They don’t require external power and are generally less sensitive to subtle sound details, but they excel at capturing strong, focused sounds without picking up as much background noise. A dynamic microphone, like the Shure SM58, is often used for live vocals on stage. It’s durable and can handle high sound pressure without distortion, making it perfect for live performances where background noise is present and the mic may be moved around frequently.
By following these four techniques, you can achieve clearer, higher-quality vocal recordings that minimize unwanted plosives and sibilance. __ Meet with Dave for a free consult to help you with your podcast https://calendly.com/truemediasolutions/free-podcast-consult-for-how-to-podcast-listeners
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.