November 2005

Podcast (11/09/2005) - Transcript

A pop filter is a windscreen that protects a microphone from sound degrading popping noises generated by the small bursts of air often created by “plosive” consonants such as the “p” sound.

Before I was ready to start posting my podcasts to the blog, I recorded several trial podcasts in order to familiarize myself with the process, equipment, and software. Coincidentally, the subject of this final test recording was the pop filter that I had recently built for myself. (View Picture)

The following transcript is for this podcast, which I have entitled “The Original Podcast.”

Podcast: 11/09/2005 - The Original Podcast (MP3 - 1.6 MB) | Listen Now!

Welcome to the PACT America podcast for November 9, 2005.

I'm new to this whole sound recording thing, but I'd like to share something that I learned recently.

If you were to hold your hand a couple of inches away from your mouth while you spoke, you would feel a small burst of air whenever you said the “p” sound. Well unfortunately, a microphone picks up on this burst of air, and it creates an annoying popping sound.

Well they've created this thing called a pop filter that successfully eliminates this noise, but they're kind of expensive for what they are. I found out that you can actually make your own with an embroidery hoop and a pair of nylons, so I decided to give it a try.

Thankfully it was Halloween on the day that I went to the store, which is the one day of the year when a guy can walk in and buy a pair of black nylons without raising any eyebrows.

I'm not exactly the kind of guy who's in to sewing, so it wasn't too easy for me to put this thing together. The nylons kept stretching the wrong way, and... I don't know; it was a mess. But I was finally able to get it all figured out, and to my surprise, it actually worked.

Here's an example of the pop filter in action:

“Peter Piper picked a pair of pickled peppers.”

(removes pop filter)

And without the pop filter:

“Peter Piper picked a pair of pickled peppers.” (small popping noises after each “p” sound)

(reinstalls pop filter)

Nylons... making the ladies look good, making me sound good.

Well, I think I'm about to wrap things up. This podcasting thing is a lot harder than I thought it would be, and I wasn't quite prepared. So hopefully next time I'll do better.

This is Adam Florzak keeping it real.