How to Avoid Plosives When Recording | Shure

Learn how to avoid plosives (stop sounds) when recording just by adjusting your mic placement.

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#avoidplosives
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[williamthompson]

having V/O talent slightly off-axis _diminishes_ plosives, tho (as is evident from the word "completely" at 00:40, ) doesn't squelch the LF energy entirely. In my experience, using a mesh pop screen (and, it can't be overemphasized - at least two layers of taut fabric are required, ) in conjunction with off-axis mic placement, goes a long way, along with some side-chain compression (avoiding the tendency for the low frequency blast to attenuate full-spectrum signal, by overwhelming detector in dynamics processor.
Actually, if your mic support (nominally, boom stand, or table-clamp arm) is up to it, position the mic above the nose of the subject, pointing downward at an angle, and >7" away from the face. While this relative positioning can still encounter some specific popping, based on how the announcer or vocalist forms their Ps or Bs (lips dictate which direction this "thump" is heading, ) it knocks out the lion's share of plosive force. "Forehead" or overhead mic placement can distract novices on mic, as you don't want head position to change, based on where the mic is, so make sure they have plenty of their own voice in headphone mix. to allay any fear of insufficient pickup, Yes, it's not ideal for onscreen talent, in terms of sight lines, but it can afford more flexibility of script, music chart or V/O copy placement, and has the added benefit of picking up more resonance from nasal cavity, and head in general, yielding richer midrange, without reaching for EQ controls too quickly.

[StartupBoss]

Easy tip! And timely...I just got mi mv7 this week. Thank you!

[RomanBercot]

Helpful, though I wish the included windscreen was more effective for this. I put the SM7B windscreen on my MV7 and it is much more effective. But it annoys me that it’s not a perfect fit and made for the MV7.

[SenorDonut.]

This is a great tip, thanks for sharing :D

[MrBradHendrickson]

You already make the RK345 for the SM7B and it's a reasonably straightforward replacement for my MV7. Your entire line should come with foam as effective as the RK345 -- absolutely no excuses for saving two pennies on inferior, ineffective OEM foam on these new SM7B-inspired models.

[Trinigmatic]

I have the sponge cover for the mic, the pop filter, and the off axis placement. Maybe my mic just sucks. I’m having to do so much work in Audition to edit out the siblance and plosives. It still sounds okay but could be better.

[syretaboothe]

not working for me..got this mic..put off to side...got filter....spent so much money (for me) on the mic and can't get the sound right...smh very disappointing