VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeff McNeal · Guest

An easy way to rid yourself of plosives, when smiling isn't necessarily appropriate and you don't have a wind screen (aside from the already aforementioned suggestions).

Put the palm of your hand in right in front of your mouth and say the letter "p" normally. You'll feel the puff of air that causes the plosive. Now, try it again with your upper lip pushed forward, just slightly. It will be enough to direct the plosive downward, away from your hand and more importantly, the diaphram of the microphone. This will allow you to work the mic straight on if you wish, while effectively eliminating the plosives.

I generally haven't used a windscreen on a microphone in 25 years, and only started to in limited fashion just recently, more as a condensation barrier to protect the diaphram more than anything else, I think that even the finest windscreens color the sound albeit slightly, and I don't care for that aspect of using them.

Bruce · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 8:17 am Post subject:

Frank F · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

The key here gang is: this is a wireless lavalier Sgt. Eder is working with in the field (i.e.: a press conference). NOT a studio microphone.

Bruce has the right concept, however, you must deal with the assets and limitations of the lavalier. Pantyhose, windscreens, pop filters, etc. of the traditional "studio" variety will not work, and I specifically do not want to see any General walking around with pantyhose on his/her uniform.

All right, so here is what I do when confronted with 'plosive's (which means a rush of air; forcably and quickly presented to the pickup (diaphragm) of a microphone) with lavaliers: using a foam lavalier windscreen, I change the aspect of the microphone first - from vertical (12:00/6:00) to horizontal (3:00/9:00).

Then, if necessary, I will cut a peice of fine mesh metal window screen into a square; which will be formed into a cylindar and wrapped around the foam windscreen of the lavalier. The windscreen should be tight enough to hold on nicely and be secured with duct tape (or duck tape for those who need clarification). The screen "cylindar" should extend approximately 1/4" past the active end of the lavalier.

The above process works as a "pop filter" or 'plosive filter in this case. and if fashioned with black fine mesh metal window screen... it actually looks fairly nice... well, O.K., -- it works.

Toodles

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

BenWils · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

This is all strange to me. I have done some live sound and video production in my day and used lav mics. I am not sure how someone is getting plosives if the mic is secured to a jacket/uniform or shirt. I have never heard of this problem. Is the mic being held by the person up to their mouth? Are they talking downward toward their jacket? Or are the sounds you hear from clothing rubbing the mic?

Wind noise...yes. The mic rubbing against clothing...yes. The person accidentally hitting or bumping the mic, yes also. I have experienced these but not plosives on a lav mic. Interesting.
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

Frank F · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

Ben, et al:

You hit it on the nose in one part of your dissertation...

Kasbah · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject:

BenWils · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:19 pm Post subject:

Ahh, that makes sense Frank. I really have never recorded/videotaped anyone looking down at notes while standing at a podium. So, I can now see how this can happen.

All the stuff I have ever done has either been teleprompted or interview fashion and no popping p's have ever been an issue. Smile

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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."