The Ultimate Mic Pop filter and isolation hack: It’s NOT what you think!

Author: Tosh Lubek Published: 4th November 2024

Are you looking for an affordable, easy-to-implement hack to improve your audio quality for YouTube videos, voice overs, or podcasts? Well, it might surprise you, but fish tank filter foam should be high up on your shopping list of studio accessories!

In this post, I’ll dive into how this simple foam, commonly used in aquarium filters, can enhance your recording setup by acting as a pop filter, vibration isolator, and more. It’s a small investment for a big improvement, and in this video, I show how well it works.

Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Is Fish Tank Filter Foam, and How Does It Work?

Originally designed to keep aquarium water clean, fish tank filter foam has a unique, springy structure that absorbs vibrations. Its matrix is like a myriad of tiny tunnels that twist and turn, providing the perfect structure to diffuse air flows.

For just a few dollars, this foam offers versatile uses in the studio to help create clearer, more professional-sounding audio.

Fish Tank Foam as a Pop Filter

Pop filters are essential for preventing unwanted pops in your recordings caused by “plosive” sounds. The bursts of air from letters like “p” and “b” can distort your audio if they hit the microphone capsule directly.

Here’s how you can use fish tank filter foam as a cheap and simple, yet highly effective pop filter:

1. Cut a circular piece of foam about four inches (10cm) in diameter.
2. Place the foam disk in front of the microphone. It should be at least three to four inches from the microphone.
3. Leave a small space between the foam and your mouth., About two to four inches (5 to 1cm) is about the right distance to have between your mouth and the pop filter.

In an emergency you can hold the foam pop filter but mounting it in a stand would be preferable. You can secure the foam disk into a ring frame (such as an embroidery ring), that can then be attached to a spare microphone stand or goose-neck. Alternatively, thread a knitting needle or skewer through the foam disk and fix it to a wooden block base.

In my tests, this DIY pop filter significantly reduced plosives without significantly high frequency sounds in a voice. To test this pop filter yourself, try saying “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” with and without the foam, you should notice a significant difference!

Using Fish Tank Foam for Vibration Isolation

If you use desktop microphones, especially on hard surfaces, unwanted vibrations from knocks, typing, or desk movement can transfer directly to the microphone body and capsule, muddying your audio. Placing a layer of fish tank filter foam under your mic (e.g., the popular Blue Yeti) acts as a cushion, reducing these vibrations.

Reducing keyboard typing and mouse noise

To cut down on noise from typing or mouse clips, place foam under both your keyboard and mic. This simple addition absorbs further vibrations, providing clearer audio without any distracting background noise from typing or mouse movement and clicks.

Reducing Fan Noise from Laptops

Laptops can produce an annoying hum that transmits through the desk and eventually reaches the mic. This can be from the rotation of the laptop’s cooling fan or internal hard drive.

Fish tank filter foam can prevent the transmission of this vibration to your desktop microphone. However, make sure that you do not impede the free movement of air in or out of your laptop. You do not want to prevent the normal cooling action in your laptop.

To reduce fan noise:

1. Place a piece of foam under the laptop. This helps keep fan and hard drive vibration from traveling through the desk and to the mic.
2. Place a disk of foam beneath your mic’s desk stand for added isolation.

Foam for Speaker Isolation

If you use loudspeaker monitors on your desk, vibrations can cause problems at lower frequencies. Adding a sheet of fish tank foam under each speaker will reduce unwanted buzz and rattle. For heavier speakers, layering the foam or using denser, heavy-duty foam works best.

Benefits & Limitations of Fish Tank Filter Foam in audio recording

Benefits:

• Affordable: Costs just a few dollars for multiple uses.
• Easy to Customize: Cut or stack foam to fit your specific setup.
• Virtually Acoustically Transparent: Works as a pop filter without affecting voice clarity.

Limitations:

• Cutting Precision: Creating neat edges with scissors or a knife can be tricky. Use a hot wire cutter for a smoother finish.
• Density Limitations: For heavy equipment, you might need multiple layers or denser foam.

Final Thoughts: Why Not Give It a Try?

From pop filters to noise isolators, fish tank filter foam is a surprisingly effective, low-cost tool for improving your audio. If you’re serious about quality sound without breaking the bank, this DIY solution is worth a shot. Try it in your studio setup and enjoy clearer audio with fewer distractions.

This unexpected yet highly versatile tool could be your next favorite addition to your DIY recording studio setup.

Last update on 2024-11-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API