If you’re recording songs at home, audiobooks, podcasts, etc., you need a decent microphone.
Blue Yeti is one of the most famous and highest quality manufacturers. The Blue Yeti mic works with a USB, it’s compact, and the quality of sound is great.
This is quite a bummer, but creative people will always find a way out. Here, we’ll discuss how to attach a Blue pop filter and a regular one to the Blue Yeti microphone.
There will be no drilling; basically everything can be done without any tools. But first of all, let’s see what we’re working with.
Blue Yeti Microphone
Blue Yeti is one of the most advanced modern microphones. It’s very portable, available everywhere around the world.
There are 4 pattern settings and 3 capsules. It also looks very good with the silver cover.
Both amateurs and professionals are using this model, as it saves the sound right on the computer and provides clarity of sound that is usually unachievable for most USB microphones.
The patterns are:
- Stereo;
- Cardioid;
- Omnidirectional;
- Bidirectional.
A Pop Filter
A pop shield, screen, or filter is a tool that is placed between the source of the sound and the microphone.
It reduces or removes the sound of air (the popping sounds) when you talk or sign. Air movements often make the final recording sound unprofessional because you can hear the additional sounds when the person pronounces words.
Why “popping”? The word is perfect for the explanation of the sound the filter tries to eliminate. Try to say the word, and you’ll notice the sound of the air.
The sound affects the microphone on two levels:
- High-frequency – when the air moves through the outer part of the mic;
- Low-frequency – when it affects the diaphragm, causing even more disturbance.
Pop filters are usually made from several layers of woven nylon or another material that is partially transparent and will allow the sound but not the pops. There are also metal filters that use a fine mesh to do the same thing.
Nowadays, a lot of professional microphones have built-in pop filters so that you don’t have to install a lot of stuff. Another type of pop filters is also DIY ones, where stockings are used on any loop to provide the same characteristics.
Ok, now we know what the elements are. Let’s attach the filter! First, we’ll talk about the original Blue Yeti filter, and then about any other regular screen.
What You Will Need to Attach the Pop Filter to Your Blue Yeti
But it’s not a problem if you have just a couple of minutes. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your mic;
- The filter;
- The arm for the filter;
- The bracket that comes with a filter;
- A small dumbbell (for regular filters).
And, of course, you’ll need some time and determination to finish the job.
via@ asktyrrelle
Attaching a Blue Pop Filter to Your Blue Yeti
First of all, find a flat surface to put the mic on. Then:
- Take the filter and all the details that came with it;
- You’ll need a matching Blue bracket to attach the screen; find it;
- On the sides of the mic, there are bolts. Take one out and attach the bracket there, between the mic and the arm that holds it;
- Secure the construction with the original bolt, make sure it’s firmly attached;
- On the other side of the bracket, attach the arm of the pop filter;
- Secure it with the black (usually) bolt that comes with the bracket.
The combination of the mic and the filter is truly great. The sound is clear, and there’s no noise from the air you exhale and move when talking.
Attaching a Regular Pop Filter to Your Blue Yeti
This one will require another element that isn’t in the package. Usually, a pop filter is attached to a microphone stand or another thin, cylindrical element.
However, the element you need might just be lying around the house – a hex dumbbell.
If your pop filter has a C-shaped clamp, this dumbbell will be perfect for the job. Why a hex-type dumbbell? It won’t roll, keeping the stand right in place.
If you don’t have such a dumbbell at home, you can easily find it in short-shops or garage sales. Spend about $5 for such a “stand,” and you’ll never have a problem with your pop filter again.
Here’s what you should do:
- Think about the place where your mic and the screen will be;
- Put the mic and the dumbbell there so that the filter, as a result, is in front of the microphone;
- Attach the clamp on the arm of the filter to the handle of the dumbbell;
- Adjust the position to make sure the mic and the filter are placed like they should for the best result;
- Consider adapting the dumbbell to the surface. If it’s easily scratched, the metal might damage it pretty quickly. Any soft material, like felt, will help. Just wrap pieces of felt around the hexagonal parts of the dumbbells (or just put a piece underneath), and there you go.
While a Blue pop filter might work better with the Blue Yeti microphone, if you don’t want to invest in one, a regular high-quality screen will work just fine.
For the job, you need no drills or anything else that might damage the microphone. The construction is pretty fragile, so it’s better not to shock or drill it.