This article will show you how to make your own microphone pop-filter. A pop-filter is a small screen that goes between a microphone and your mouth to prevent sharp popping sounds (known as plosives) like “P” and “B” words from overloading the mic level and distorting. Commercially available pop-filters are expensive and can often cost 20 dollars or more. The pop-filter you can build here will cost less than $6 dollars.
Parts List:
1 Wooden Embroidery Ring (6 inches) – .50 cents
1 Pair Generic Black Pantyhose – $1
Wooden Dowel (5/16th in Dia.) – .69 cents
Mini Clamp – .37 cents
Regular Clamp – $2. 09
2 Washers, 1 Lock Washer, #4 Bolt (3/4 in) & Nut – .85 cents
Tools Needed:
Wood Glue
Scissors
Small Screwdriver
Awl
Small Saw
Sandpaper
I bought most of the materials at a popular home supply store and got the wooden embroidery ring and pantyhose at a local big-box retailer. I used a Leatherman tool so I didn’t need the separate awl, saw, and screwdriver as this pocket tool has all three tools (and more) combined.
Begin by applying some light sandpaper to the wooden embroidery rings. The rings I bought were slightly rough around the edges and sanding will help prevent them from ripping holes in the nylon mesh. Next take the wooden dowel and cut off a 12 inch length piece. The dowels sold at my local supply store are 48 inches long – enough to make 4 pop-filters. Sand any burrs off the cut ends and also the dowel itself to remove any rough spots.
Next take the outer wooden ring and lightly sand an area near the screw mechanism. The rings I used were lightly coated with a sealer and I needed to expose the bare wood so the glue holding the dowel and ring together would bond better. Lying them both flat on some old paper, I lined up the ring and dowel to look like a lollipop and glued them using some carpenter’s wood glue. Set this aside and give it time to dry.
While the glue is setting you can prepare the nylon mesh screen. Take the pantyhose the cut one of the legs off at the top of the thigh. Take the inner ring from the wooden hoop and insert into the nylon leg. Carefully slide the ring down the leg and into the toe area. Make the nylon stretchy and taut but not too tight. Take the loose leg material and tie it in a tight knot close the the wooden ring. Cut the extra material off.
Once the glue has dried, insert the inner wooden ring with the stretched nylon into the outer ring and tighten the screw mechanism to hold it firmly in place. I positioned the inner ring so that the nylon knot was tucked into the screw connector area and out of the way. This finishes the pop-filter itself. We now need to build a clamp that will hold our filter to the microphone stand and allow for some positioning and adjustment of the screen in front of the microphone.
The two metal clamps I bought had plastic shrink wrapped handles but I was able to tell they had small holes under this covering. This was going to allow me to connect them using a small bolt. The large clamp would connect to the mic stand and the little clamp would hold the dowel in place.
Using an awl or similar sharp pointed tool, poke a starter hole through the handles of your clamps. Take a #4 bolt and thread a plain washer on it. Poke this through the small clamp’s handle from the outside. Next push the bolt through the larger clamp’s handle hole. On the inside of the large handle you now need to place a regular washer, then a lock washer, and then the nut. Tighten by holding the nut and turning the bolt with a small screwdriver. Your clamp is now complete.
Insert the dowel into the small clamp’s jaws and then attach the large clamp to your microphone stand and position the mesh screen in front of the microphone. You’re now ready to record or broadcast!
Related Links:
Make Your Own Pop Screen (Another way to make your own…)
The X-Plosive: A DIY Pop Filter (…still another way…)
Build Your Own Microphone Pop Screen (…and yet another way.)
MXL990 Condenser Mic (highly recommended)
Awesome, I’ve been thinking about making one of these for years. So far, holding my shirt front in front of my mouth has worked pretty well. Thanks for posting!
Say, how did you build that sweet condenser mic?
The MXL990 is quite a deal/steal. Sounds great and at 60 bucks you can’t lose! The build quality is pretty good, comes in a decent case and includes the shock-mount plus another solid type mic stand mount.
HOW TO Make Your Own $6 Microphone Pop-Filter
This article will show you how to make your own microphone pop-filter. A pop-filter is a small screen that goes between a microphone and your mouth to prevent sharp popping sounds (known as plosives) like “P” and “B” words from …
I usually just hold the thinnest piece of paper I can find in front of the microphone. This would certainly be more convenient, however.
Very nice work. I made it and use it now. I was wondering if you play guitar, and if so, have you ever built a box to carry your pedals that can be set down on stage and used to keep them organized. I’ve been working on a few concepts, but none that seem very good.
Well…my background is as a drummer. I do dabble in guitar and have begun to assemble a home studio.
I’ve seen the fancy pedal boxes you mention in live situations. Seems to me a bunch of velcro would be a main ingredient for making one of those. I know you can get adhesive backed velcro strips in craft and sewing stores.
Heh. My friend John used to make these, and referred to them with an alliterative title. I can’t remember precisely what it was, but it was something along the lines of “the Perfect Pantyhose Popper Stopper.”
(also: Hi Dean!)
I don´t tryed yet but…
i´m gona try to make one.
Thanks for posting! =)
great idea man..
or.. you could go buy one with a gooseneck and not have to deal with clamps and ghetto rigs. lol
[...] a. skateboard dolly: 1, 2, 3 b. home-made steadicams: 1, 2, 3 c. jib arm / crane: 1, 2 d. car mount: 1, 2, 3 e. the aforementioned Depth of Field reducer f. other: 1, 2, 3 [...]
# dan Says:
January 4th, 2006 at 3:52 am
or.. you could go buy one with a gooseneck and not have to deal with clamps and ghetto rigs. lol
the idea is that this is at a fraction of the cost.
I use one of those toy tennis rackets that has like a thin elastic material instead of strings. works perfectly. Cost: $0.
Hey…names Jay…im 17 and im tryin to make it into rap. I havnt been rappin for long but i got same good feed back for some of my tracks. The only complaint i got was “TO GET A GOOD MIC” lol. Well i just would like to ask u guys what is a good mic u can suggest for me. Im not a pro yet i record at home using cool edit pro 2. Some help please?
Jay – how about a Shure Beta 58…or a Shure SM 57? I suggest you go into your local music store and see if you can try either of those mics.
For Jay,
Check out the MXL 990! It’s really cheap and a high quality condenser (recording) mic. Some of the “live-use” mics don’t work very well for recording voice. Good luck.
cool stuff..
shouldn’t have wasted my money on gettin that pop filter….
Any recommendations on a decent podcasting microphone that *doesn’t* require a preamp? With your pop filter design I could almost use what I have, but it is old and sound pretty flat.
Sam – how about the “Blue Snowball” mic?
Thanks! Here are some other options I’m looking at just in case someone else had a similar question.
Samson C01U
or
Shure SM57 (needs preamp so the cost is higher, but tempting since it gets such sweet reviews)
with M-Audio MobilePre USB Mobile Preamp
[...] From Dean Sabtino’s nextplease blog [...]
THANK YOU! YOU JUST SAVE ME A BUNCH OF MONEY ON WITH THIS PROJECT!
Do you know, or have any recommendation of the name of the fabric type that is best for making “T” & “D” filter and “B”&”P” filter as well?
Thanks, and please give me a e-mail reply to: nang_i_yang_18@yahoo.com
-Nang Yang
[...] 5. ** This is huge! A Pop Filter. Normal Pop Filter (Used between your mouth (Even for cheaper mics, btw) and the mic) (http://www.zzounds.com/item–RAXPOMT), Less Expensive DIY version (http://www.deansabatino.com/2005/08/21/67/). You really need one, really. To the people who don’t think so, I have raw lines that had to be re-recorded to play you. [...]
hello. i have a problem recording for sum reason it sounds pretty bad when i record its like a scratchy wierd sound and i dont understand why it is im gonan build one of these to see if it helps much but im not sure if it will. what programs do u guys recomend for recording??? and what mics do u guys recomend
[...] This article will show you how to make your own microphone pop-filter. A pop-filter is a small screen that goes between a microphone and your mouth to prevent sharp popping sounds (known as plosives) like “P” and “B” words from overloading the mic level and distorting. Commercially available pop-filters are expensive and can often cost 20 dollars or more. The pop-filter you can build here will cost less than $6 dollars. [Read More…] [...]
hey dean, wat is the MXL990 mic like??
i am searching for a wuality mic for voice sound dubbing. would this mic do the trick u reckon?
Zander – Yes – the 990 is fine for dubbing. It’s a little bit bright but with a pop filter and some EQ it sounds great. A real deal at 70 bucks.
My friends and I just started our own indie rap label. We were thinkin about spending $40 on a pop filter by now we don’t have to shell out any cash! Thanks! Also, I have a CAD GXL2400 mic. Have you heard of this mic/brand and is it good compared to others for the price ($80)?
I used your method for putting the nylons onto the embroidery ring, and the gooseneck idea from the article you linked. Thanks for the tip!
I just got a new SM57, and I didn’t shell out hte 15$ for the windguard/pop filter attachment. Glad I didn’t now.
I’ve heard of a lot of people using those MXL 990′s are they really that great? What’s so special about them? I’ve been a fan of the SM58′s and 57′s myself.
\/\/
i bought the mxl990/991 combo for 99 bucks. great deal, comes with case, and 2 mics, the 990 is large diaphram and 991 is small diaphram. great bargain for the price, and ive been using them for a year, i suggest this for your first mic for home recording acoustic guitar or vocals.
Can I do this in any way with a metal hoop? That way I don’t need to go out and buy just one small wooden hoop.
I was about to spend about $50.00 dollars on a professional dual screen popscreen, and then I ran into this site. I couldnt belive how easy it is to make one and I promptly slapped accross my self very hard for even thinking about buying instead of building. I should build my Dual screen pop filter and post it on my site with in the month. Thanks alot for your inspiration. ..X..
ON PODCASTING…
Because I did some podcasting for IMAO, and because blogdaughter Michele of Letters From New York City suggested it in the post where I mentioned the upcoming PodCamp Conference in NYC (April 6th & 7th, 2007, and there’s still time……
yes, i really like this… but, i wanted to know if the pantyhose material is the best, and if it is enough…I have a lot of supplies, but i want to make sure i get the best type of material. Thanks
[...] selberbauen: Hier und hier. Abgelegt unter: Allgemein Geschrieben von: [...]
[...] Nextplease: How To Make Your Own Microphone Pop Filter [...]
Where do you buy all stuff for built it.
thank’s
My solution was way faster, but it doest look as awesome as yours! I just put a pany over a coat hanger and used tape to mount it to the stand:
http://www.secondhandsuperheroes.com/site/images/recfront.jpg
Wow this was a great idea. Saved me money. Looks tacky but I painted the dowel to match my stand. Makes me look less polish now. Nice and neat.
[...] recipe I am going to test first is the M-Audio preamp along with a ghetto homemade pop filter and a mixture of microphones I have laying around (ranging from cheap ones to so-so quality). [...]
[...] Boom Pole for Under $30.00 Home Recording Studio Microphone Pop Filter Microphone Windscreen Sound Studio Acoustic Treatments Microphone Desk Stand Zero Budget Dubbing [...]
[...] or at least lessening pops. For studio mics, pop filters are widely available. You can even make your own for about six bucks. But for field recording, a hoop-type pop screen is too awkward. For stick [...]
[...] it or getting a good yet inexpensive headset), but this excellent article in Nextplease shows you How To Make Your Own Microphone Pop-Filter. This article will show you how to make your own microphone pop-filter. A pop-filter is a small [...]
[...] Boom Pole for Under $30.00 Home Recording Studio Microphone Pop Filter Microphone Windscreen Sound Studio Acoustic Treatments Microphone Desk Stand Zero Budget Dubbing [...]
[...] These are cheap and doesn’t cost much to buy from a music hardware store. But you can always create your own pop-filter for hardly anything at all. Or you can go real amateur and just use a t-shirt over your nose (as [...]
[...] It’s difficult to imagine that something as primitive as an ordinary towel can work as a “pop shield” but it does! In fact it has been known for some unprepared journalists even to use stockings wrapped around the head of a mic. You could always make your own out of an embroidery ring and pair of tights! [...]
Thanks so much. This is steps above the coat hanger rig!
Or you could just learn to sing a slight “bray” instead of “pray,” and such. Saved me $20…
I wish I could have seen this before! I just spent $20 on my pop filter! Thank you for post! :)
[...] 1 Ghost Galaxy I think its the mixing. lower the music, increase your vocals. And buy or make a pop filter. Nice 1st episode. [...]
[...] How To: Make Your Own Microphone Pop-Filter This guy has a really nice plan. He uses an embroidery ring from a craft store, a definite contender. [...]
[...] Boom Pole for Under $30.00 Home Recording Studio Microphone Pop Filter Microphone Windscreen Sound Studio Acoustic Treatments Microphone Desk Stand Zero Budget Dubbing [...]
Great idea!
I spent only about 200 Philippine Pesos or about $4.
I used hard electrical wire instead of the boom stick- flexible, can be easily adjusted to desired position.
-Used Epoxy Steel glue to attach the end of the wire to a paper clip.
I used this guide as a reference to making my Pop-Filter. I made one slight alteration from this design though. My local big-box store did not carry embroidery hoops, so I did what any good musician would do: I improvised.
The lids of the new plastic coffee containers (Folgers and Maxwell House use them now) are a suitable alternative if you cannot find an embroidery hoop or wish to shave another $0.50 off the price. Just carefukky cut away the central portion of the plastic lid and staple the pantyhose in place.
Love the design of your pop filter. I made one using an old wire clothes hanger. I bent one end of it into a curved shape and then stretched a portion of the pantyhose over the circle. I secured the pantyhose to the wire by tieing in small knots around the circle to keep it pulled tight. I then used the other end of the wire to wrap it around the microphone stand. it was adjustable and all available in my home–no tools, no out of pocket cost.
the pop filter i have was $95…like 3 days after i bought it i saw a video on youtube showin how to make on for basically free. so i made it, and it works about the same if not better than the one i paid 95 for. and the store i got it from dont give refunds so i was just s.o.l.
i’m gunna have to try this, i need a pop filter (: thanks for the idea
[...] Boom Pole for Under $30.00 Home Recording Studio Microphone Pop Filter Microphone Windscreen Sound Studio Acoustic Treatments Microphone Desk Stand Zero Budget Dubbing [...]
[...] Boom Pole for Under $30.00 Home Recording Studio Microphone Pop Filter Microphone Windscreen Sound Studio Acoustic Treatments Microphone Desk Stand Zero Budget Dubbing [...]
[...] got the idea from a couple of places on the web, here’s a link to another set of instructions with pictures, not that I’m sure pictures are [...]
I can’t imagine it being used by a professional studio, but thanks for putting this together. It makes my recordings sound worlds more professional!
it is cheap it cost about $15.00 at walmart and best buy
[...] mesh dissipates that air before it reaches the micrphone. You can make a pop filter yourself from some pantyhose and an embroidery hoop or coat hanger, but there are lots of pre-fab options starting at around $15 or $20. If you plan to [...]
Damn what a cheapest and an easy way of making a pop filter thanks guys
I already decided on pantyhose and an embroidery hoop when I found this article through Googling “Makeshift Pop Filter”, but I wasn’t sure how to fasten it to the mic stand. Thanks for solving that problem for me. It will save me between $13 and $50. I have everything except the pantyhose, so actually it will save me more than that. This article is a keeper. My thanks to the author. I see that the article has been up since at least 2009, which goes to show that as long as there are new musicians and vocalists entering on budgets, there will be a demand for “how to” article like this one.
Thanks again.
The prices of materials in the article should be updated. The prices I had to pay here in Chattanooga, tax not included, were as follows:
1 Wooden Embroidery hoop – $1.19 (Hobby Lobby)
1 Pair Generic Black Pantyhose – $4.25 (Walmart)
Wooden Dowel (5/16th in Dia.) – .89 cents (Walmart)
Mini Clamp – 1.50 cents (Lowe’s)
Regular Clamp – $1.98 (Lowe’s)
2 Washers, 1 Lock Washer, #4 Bolt (3/4 in) & Nut – (.98 cents per pack each) – $2.94
Glue (I used super glue, which dries faster and holds as well as wood glue) $2.00
Total cost: $14.75 + tax
A new Musician’s Gear 6″ diameter gooseneck (13.25″) pop filter from Guitar Center costs $14.99 + tax (and shipping if ordered online), and there’s no assembly involved.
A 24-cents saving is hardly worth the effort. Lucky for me I had everything except the panty hose, so I was able to build one for $4.25 plus tax, for a total of $4.65.
I could have gotten a cheaper pair of panty hose for about $1 less, but I wanted black and the store I was in didn’t have black in the lower priced hosiery.
The bottom line is, if you have some of the items on hand, then it is cheaper to make your own pop filter. If you have to buy everything, though, it’s less aggravation and only 24 cents more to buy a 6″ pop filter from Guitar Center.
I used an 8-inch diameter embroidery hoop. I like that size better than the 6-inch diameter.
Sorry for the typos in the last comment. It looks as though the clamp costs one-and-a half cents and that the bolt, nut, and washers cost less than a penny each from the way I worded it. My apologies. Just strike the word “cents” from the price list. The corrected prices are as follows:
1 Wooden Embroidery hoop – $1.19 (Hobby Lobby)
1 Pair Generic Black Pantyhose – $4.25 (Walmart)
Wooden Dowel (5/16th in Dia.) – $0.89 (Walmart)
Mini Clamp – $1.50 (Lowe’s)
Regular Clamp – $1.98 (Lowe’s)
2 Washers, 1 Lock Washer, #4 Bolt (3/4 in) & Nut – ($0.98 per pack each) – $2.94 (Lowe’s)
Glue (I used super glue, which dries faster and holds as well as wood glue) – $2.00 (Lowe’s)
Total cost: $14.75 + tax
A new Musician’s Gear 6″ diameter gooseneck (13.25″) pop filter from Guitar Center costs $14.99 + tax, which is 24 cents less than making it yourself and having to buy everything.
Oh, and be prepared to be treated like a criminal at Guitar Center if you work a dirty job or have long hair. I was watched like a hawk and given the bum’s rush the last time I went into that store here in Chattanooga. Maybe it’s just something in the local water supply that makes the people at that particular store paranoid. Whatever the reason, that’s why I opted to build my own pop filter. I would rather pay as much to build it myself than to put up with Guitar Center’s crappy attitude.