Pop filter for AT4050?

[netwiz]

Audio Technica make this pop filter https://www.audio-technica.com/en-gb/mi ... ens/at8175 but it's only listed as fitting the 20 series mics. There's no mention of pop filters for other mics.

Any recommendations?

I've got one of those bendy ones on another mic but it does tend to flop around so if there's a cage type that would fit I'd prefer it.

AT need to sort their site out.

Nick

[SafeandSound Mastering]

Personally I have had poor results i.e. they don't stop pops very well, from metal mesh pop shields and greatly prefer the standard K&N nylon tights material, double layer and more effective in my experience.

The basic, half decent ones that have always been ok :

K&M 23956 Popkiller Microphone Shield, Black

Do what it takes, pops are extremely annoying and as someone who has done a lot of direct to stereo recording in the past they are not necessarily easy to remove from a stereo 2 track recording.

I have no issue doubling them up either, some vocalists pop more than others, which is natural, in the same way some people are naturally more sibilant.

In my experience often the bigger the diaphragm, the bigger the pop potential (larger slower excursions), for example 1 inch vs 0.75 inch.

Edit : 4050 = 0.84" (21.4mm)

[Hugh Robjohns]

My recommendations would be either (and ideally) the Rycote USM studio kit which combines an excellent shockmount with a superb pop-screen in a very elegant and practical package:

https://rycote.com/invision-usm-studio-kit-ryc045002/



...or one of the Haken pop killers on whatever kind of mount best suits your application:

https://www.sound-link.co.uk/hakan/


These are both open-cell foam pop screens which are far more effective and much less audible than any of the single/double fabric and perforated metal types — in my experience.

[netwiz]

Personally I have had poor results i.e. they don't stop pops very well, from metal mesh pop shields and greatly prefer the standard K&N nylon tights material, double layer and more effective in my experience.

The basic, half decent ones that have always been ok :

K&M 23956 Popkiller Microphone Shield, Black

Good advice thanks.

Any views on this Aokeo one? I've seen comments about both that they struggle to hold their own weight whilst others say they are ok.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aokeo-Studio-M ... 01N21H9WY/

[netwiz]

My recommendations would be either (and ideally) the Rycote USM studio kit which combines an excellent shockmount with a superb pop-screen in a very elegant and practical package:

...or one of the Haken pop killers on whatever kind of mount best suits your application:

https://www.sound-link.co.uk/hakan/


These are both open-cell foam pop screens which are far more effective and much less audible than any of the single/double fabric and perforated metal types — in my experience.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already ordered the AT dedicated shockmount open box from eBay. I'd be more nervous of shockmounts as you want a secure fit.

The Hakan looks good but at those prices would be overkill for my needs. Those guys don't do themselves any favours with their website.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Bad website? Perhaps. But on the other hand it is very informative for professional work.

Any views on this Aokeo one? I've seen comments about both that they struggle to hold their own weight whilst others say they are ok.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aokeo-Studio-M ... 01N21H9WY/

That looks suspiciously like a past budget offering from Thomann, which I have in a box here. It is awful to mount, truly awkward. And it droops after a few months. I ended up using it "upside down" so that gravity was on its side. Incidentally, that was mostly with an AT4033a and AT2020.

[sonics]

I've cobbled together some of my own over the years. I'll choose a decent mount/frame and then replace the materials as required. I've various types of foam and cloth in single and double layers which gives me a choices. As mentioned, rarely does one pop shield "fit all".

I realise that this is not for everyone, though.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already ordered the AT dedicated shockmount open box from eBay. I'd be more nervous of shockmounts as you want a secure fit.

Not possible to get more secure than the Rycote, and I find those AT mounts awkward and fiddly to get the mic in and out... but, more importantly, you need a shockmount that actually works and I find the AT dedicated mounts too stiff to give effective isolation. I bought the AT mounts for my 4040s, but don't use them because the Rycotes perform better, are easier to use and, if I'm using them for vocals, the Rycote pop shield clips on in seconds.

The Hakan looks good but at those prices would be overkill for my needs.

You'll find better prices from the usual dealers — I linked to the UK importer and his public prices are higher.

But yes, the Haken is more expensive than the Amazon model, but for a good reason Difference is, the Haken actually works, will last a lifetime, is easy to clean, and you can get replacement foams should you ever need them. You'll probably ditch the Amazon fabric one inside of 12 months because it doesn't stop pops very well, muffles the sound slightly, and droops at the most inconvenient moments. Been there, done that, chucked them all out! Only Rycotes and Hakens here, now...

[adrian_k]

I can also recommend the Rycote shockmount and pop shield. Very easy to use and works well.

[netwiz]

Sigh. My mic boom arm has just arrived and turns out it comes with one of those cage rubber band pop filters. On my Samson G Pro it's not very good. Haven't tried it on the 4050 yet.

I might well go for the Rycote then although it means I've pissed £50 up the wall on the AT mount. I should really come here and ask first.

[Bob Bickerton]

That's too bad, but a good lesson learnt.

I invested in Rycote USM mounts some years ago and never looked back. They're better than any of the bespoke microphone mounts I already had, including Neumann and AEA.

Bob