When purchasing the right microphone for yourself, there are several factors to consider, and choosing between a windscreen and a pop filter is one of the most important.
Understanding wind noise and pop filters can be quite confusing, so we have decided to clarify this for you.
If you want to make the best choice for yourself, read our article thoroughly to discover which type of microphone is suitable for you.
Table of Contents
What Are Pop Filters?
Microphones equipped with pop filters are the type of microphones typically used in studio recordings, and all musicians utilize them to capture high-frequency audio.
You can easily identify a pop filter by its appearance; it is a large, black, circular device that typically stands between a person and the microphone stand.
Its primary purpose is to offer you a tool designed for use in the recording studio that eliminates any unwanted noise or sounds from your surroundings. This is the key difference compared to foam windscreens.
Most of these devices are nylon pop filters or foam filters, but you may also encounter nylon mesh pop filters.
You should install the pop filter on your microphone stand, ensuring it is positioned slightly away from the metal mount of your mic.
Additionally, you should maintain a distance of a few inches from it to achieve the highest quality sound recording.
These pop filters are designed to eliminate annoying pops that often occur during sound recording, even in a recording studio.
It completely removes the plosives that often occur from the vocalist during the recording, as well as well-known explosive sounds like harsh Ts and Bs that can harm audio quality.
While it may not be essential to use it constantly, if you are recording music and require a flawless vocal recording, you need look no further—this is the microphone for you.
Can I Use Pop Filters Outside of the Studio?
Pop filters were originally designed to enhance the proximity effect and eliminate popping sounds that often occur when using microphones. However, they may not be very effective if you are recording outdoors.
The audio you receive will be professional, and if you select the options with an additional layer, you will experience a sound that resembles that of the best studios in the world.
What Are Mic Windscreens?
Microphone windscreens are highly effective for recording vocals outdoors, providing a solution to challenges such as wind interference that can disrupt sound quality or when background noise from traffic is present.
The material used in mic windscreens is typically fur, foam, or a type of gauze that possesses a high acoustic impedance, making it an ideal choice for outdoor recordings.
All microphones used outdoors should have a foam cover or foam windscreen. Additionally, your entire microphone should be equipped with foam covers or foam filters to effectively eliminate popping sounds and outdoor noise.
The foam material will disrupt the air before it reaches your microphone, so you won’t have to worry about wind or background noise.
Without microphone covers made of woven nylon, metal mesh, or other materials designed to block wind, you will not be able to effectively reduce wind noise or eliminate surrounding sounds.
Microphone windscreens experience low velocity changes that generate specific sound waves capable of traveling with minimal to no attenuation, demonstrating that their foam filters perform effectively without obstruction.
All of these foam windscreen microphones are thoughtfully designed to ensure that the entire microphone is covered with a foam cover or another wind noise-reducing material. Therefore, if you see a microphone marketed as a windscreen model, you can be assured that it is effective and performs its intended function.
However, if you are selecting options with synthetic fur covers, ensure that they only reduce background noise and do not make your voice sound distant.
They tend to eliminate not only unwanted sounds but also higher frequencies, which can sometimes include your voice. Therefore, ensure you choose the right perforated material.
The best windscreen microphones are those made from nylon mesh material, as they effectively dampen higher frequencies and completely block air blasts, ensuring that high frequencies remain pristine.
Conversely, the windscreen will provide the best outdoor recording if placed between you and the microphone, so never underestimate the importance of proper positioning.
Should I Put a Windscreen on My Mic?
These microphones should be used in recommended environments. Although the package states “universal windscreens,” this does not guarantee good performance indoors, particularly if the perforated metal is unsuitable.
Windscreens are named for a reason; they provide wind protection and reduce unwanted street noise. However, they are not designed to have the same effect when placed in front of a singer’s mouth.
For that reason, if you are not filming outdoors, you don’t really need a windscreen. Unless you are working in specific conditions, a foam windscreen is definitely not something you should spend your money on.
Do You Need Both a Pop Filter and a Windscreen?
Generally, these two items serve entirely different purposes, so most people will not require both.
However, if you are someone who podcasts or has your own YouTube channel, and you sometimes film outside while at other times film at home, you may find it to be a worthwhile investment.
In my opinion, 99% of creators do not need both options. If you understand your needs and working conditions, you can avoid spending hundreds of dollars by selecting one microphone with a foam windscreen or pop filter.
What’s Better – Pop Filter vs. Windscreen?
If you are a streamer who primarily stays at home and does not create content outside, then I believe you will be pleased with a condenser mic equipped with a pop filter.
You will have a microphone with a mounted stand, excellent audio quality, and a device that will eliminate any background noise that may be coming from your game.
It will also maintain stable frequencies throughout the entire stream, so you won’t have to worry about your audience not hearing you clearly.
You can also adjust anything you may not like, so I believe this is the best microphone choice for all my fellow streamers out there.
