If you have a home recording studio, a pop filter is a necessity. When a singer is recording a song, he often produces a "pop"-type sound when he sings a word that starts with the letter "P." The extra air that is pushed against the microphone from making this sound forms a distortion in the recording. Placing a thin piece of material, called a pop filter, in front of the microphone helps to alleviate this problem. You can make a homemade pop filter with a hanger and a stocking.

Things You'll Need
Wire coat hanger
Pantyhose
Rubber band or duct tape

Instructions
1 Untwist a wire clothing hanger. The type of hanger without the plastic coating is the easiest to work with.

2 Form a circle at one of the ends of the hanger. This circle should be about seven inches in diameter. Wrap one end of the hanger around the straight part of the hanger to complete the circle.

3 Pull a leg of pantyhose over the circle. Pull it until it is taut. The toe of the pantyhose may not stretch over the circle and may stick up a little at the top. Don't force it, or it may tear.

4 Wrap a rubber band where the pantyhose meets the straight part of the hanger. Alternately, you can wrap duct tape instead of using a rubber band. Cut the excess pantyhose off.

5 Affix the other end of the wire hanger to the microphone stand by wrapping it around the pole of the microphone. Place the pop filter in front of the microphone, about six inches away.

Tips & Warnings
Turn your head slightly to the side when you sing a "P" or "B" sound. The pop filter helps to soften the sounds, but you need to use technique also.

Black is the best color pantyhose to use because the professional ones are often this color.

TAGS: wireless vocal microphone, shure microphones