Pop Filter for Recording Rap: What Does It Actually Do?

Hear a big pop in your recording on every p or b? Those are plosives. A burst of air from your mouth hits the microphone, and you hear it as a thump in the low end. A pop filter helps, but there's more you can do. Here's how to prevent it.

What are plosives?

With sounds like p and b you push a short burst of air forward. Shure calls them plosive sounds and recommends reducing them when you record. If that air hits your microphone straight on, you hear a pop.

Test it first

Record one line with words that start with p or b and listen back on your headphones. Does the rest sound good, but do those letters jump out with a low pop? Then it's time for the tips below.

Not every microphone needs a separate pop filter. Some microphones already have protection built in. So check your own model before you buy extra gear.

1. Use a pop filter

According to Shure, you place a pop filter directly in front of the microphone. It controls the bursts of air without changing your tone much. There are fabric and metal pop filters. Both break up the air before it reaches your microphone.

2. Keep your distance

Shure calls 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) from the mic a good starting point. The closer you get, the harder a burst of air comes in. Keep your distance the same during your take too. According to Shure, your tone and level will shift suddenly otherwise.

3. Watch out for the proximity effect

With a cardioid microphone, the low end gets stronger as you get closer, according to Shure. That's called the proximity effect. A little can make your voice fuller, but if you get really close to the mic, your voice also gets heavier and heavier in the low end.

4. Rap just past the microphone

Shure suggests moving the microphone slightly lower, so it isn't straight in front of your mouth. They mainly give that tip for harsh s and t sounds. A lot of people also angle the mic slightly against plosives: the burst of air then passes the microphone instead of hitting it straight on.

5. Already recorded a pop?

A high-pass filter, also called a low cut, removes the deepest low end. That often makes a pop less noticeable. With a hard pop, it's usually easiest to re-record that one bit. How to do that is in punch-in and comping.

Can a vocal preset fix plosives?

A preset helps you with the mix, but it doesn't replace a clean recording. If the pop is already loud in the recorded signal, re-recording is often the easiest route. Only then turn on your effects and compare the processed take with the raw recording.

Got a clean recording and working in Logic Pro or FL Studio? Check out the Frenna-inspired vocal preset bundle as a starting point for a melodic rap mix. Pick the right version for your DAW and fine-tune it to your own voice.

Common mistakes

• Too close to the mic. Then every p and b comes in hard.
• Changing your distance all the time. Then your tone and level change per line.
• Trying to fix everything in the mix. Preventing a pop is easier than removing it.
• Talking straight into the mic. A slight angle already makes a difference.

Recording distorted instead of popping? Read how to prevent clipping. Looking for the right headphones? Read open or closed-back headphones. Got an SM58? Read how to record rap with the Shure SM58.

FAQ

Do I need a pop filter?

Not always. If you often hear pops in your recordings, it's a simple fix.

How far should I be from the microphone?

Shure calls 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) a good starting point. Keep that distance the same throughout your take.

Can I remove pops afterwards?

Partly, for example with a high-pass filter. A hard pop is usually better to re-record.

Source: Shure, How to Record and Mix Vocals.