How to Make a Homemade Pop Filter

Have you ever recorded a voice over or song and been disappointed by the harsh sound of the recording? Certain words can cause a microphone to peak and cause distortion. These sounds are plosives and often occur when you speak with P or B sounds.

Luckily, there is a simple solution to the problem caused by peaks during plosives. Pop filters act as a barrier between you and the microphone and improve your voice over recordings. 

In this article

1. What is a Pop Filter?
2. Why Make a Pop Filter Instead of Buying One?
3. Pros and Cons of Using a Homemade Pop Filter
4. Pros
5. Cons 
6. Cool Homemade Pop Filter Examples
7. Wire Hanger and Pantyhose Pop Filter 
8. Using a Sock as a Pop Filter
9. DIY Pop Filter with Embroidery Hoops
10. Crafting a Pop Filter from Empty Food Containers
11. Homemade Pop Filter, Final Thoughts

What is a Pop Filter?

Pop filters are a tool that helps reduce the harshness in your voice while speaking. They filter out popping sounds during speaking or singing. Even if you have the best voice over microphone, you need to add a pop filter to your studio setup. 

During recording, certain sounds cause the high and low frequencies to peak. This results in the clipping of the recorded sound. Adding a pop filter between your mouth and the microphone helps to reduce popping sounds. 

The simplest pop filter is built from woven materials like nylon. You stretch the nylon across a circular frame and the frame is attached to a mounting bracket. The filter is then attached to the microphone stand.

Pop filters also improve hygiene in a recording studio. The woven material acts as a barrier between you and the microphone. This means there is less chance of saliva hitting the microphone. 

Adding a pop filter to your studio can also make you more efficient. The pop filter reduces the peaking and clipping of your recording. This means you have a better chance of completing your voice over or singing in one take. 

Why Make a Pop Filter Instead of Buying One?

A DIY pop filter is ideal if you are on a budget. You may already have all the components of a pop filter in your home. If you have a wire hanger and nylon stockings at home, you can quickly craft a pop filter for your studio microphone. 

Other DIY pop filter solutions use socks, food containers, embroidery hoops, foam, and screen door material. Since it’s a DIY project, feel free to be creative and use similar materials you have at home.

Pros and Cons of Using a Homemade Pop Filter

While it’s easy to craft a homemade pop filter, a DIY solution is not for everyone. Here are the pros and cons of using a homemade pop filter. 

Pros

• A DIY pop filter is easy to set up
• They are cheap or free to install. 
• They offer good protection from moisture.
• It can effectively eliminate plosive sounds and reduce clipping during recording. 

Cons 

• Homemade pop filters are not durable compared to professional pop filters.
• A DIY pop filter can mute or block frequencies while recording. 
• Clamps on professional pop filters offer better stability than DIY filters. 
• Professional pop filters look better in the studio.

Cool Homemade Pop Filter Examples

Now that you’re an expert on pop filters, it’s time to build your own. Here are some of the best DIY pop filter designs we found: 

Wire Hanger and Pantyhose Pop Filter 

A wire hanger and pantyhose make one of the best DIY pop filters. This simple design is low cost and offers excellent plosive protection. 

You’ll need a wire hanger, pantyhose, and a set of pliers to craft this DIY pop filter. 

1. Bend the wire hanger into a circle. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
2. Take the pantyhose and stretch them tightly around the surface of the hanger.
3. Secure the pantyhose at the bottom of the hanger with tape or rubber bands.
4. Use pliers to bend the hanger to connect it to your microphone stand.
5. Alternatively, you can use any type of clamp to attach the pop filter to your microphone. 

Using a Sock as a Pop Filter

If you’re in a hurry and on a budget, you can use a sock as a pop filter. You can use any sock from your drawer, but a thinner sock will provide better results than a thick wool sock.

While this technique will reduce popping sounds, you’ll also reduce the sound quality of the recording. 

A sock is an easy way to protect the microphone. If you have several artists performing voice overs, you can quickly replace the sock with another to improve hygiene in the studio. 

DIY Pop Filter with Embroidery Hoops

An embroidery hoop pop filter gives your studio a professional-looking filter for a fraction of the price. You can find embroidery hoops at any local arts and craft shop. For less than $4, you can have an effective pop filter in your studio

1. Choose an embroidery hoop that is approximately six inches in diameter.
2. On the hoop, open the latch.
3. Add the fabric to the embroidery hoop and stretch it beyond the edges. 
4. While keeping the fabric tight, place the inner hoop back into the larger hoop and close the latch. 
5. You can use the latch on the hoop to connect a rod and clamp. 
6. Attach the clamp to your microphone stand to use the DIY pop filter.

Crafting a Pop Filter from Empty Food Containers

This DIY method gives you a great-looking and effective pop filter that eliminates most plosive sounds. While this method takes some crafting skill, you’ll get a beautiful pop filter that looks like it was professionally built. 

You’ll need a variety of tools and components to build this pop filter including scissors, cutting tools, spray paint, chicken wire, and more. Even if you don’t have these items at home, these items are affordable and still cost less than a professional pop filter. 

Video instructions are much better for this DIY pop filter design. Here’s how to use empty food containers to build a pop filter. 

Homemade Pop Filter, Final Thoughts

Whether you are brand new to recording or a seasoned expert, a pop filter is an essential piece of equipment that improves your recordings and efficiency. 

If you need a voice acting pop filter but have a limited budget, don’t hesitate to try one of the above DIY pop filters. 

Want more information on what the best pop filters are for professional voice actors to purchase? Read this article to learn about which pop filter is for you!