The PS-6 Popper Stopper pop filter is a tried and tested industry favourite for eliminating voice plosives. The filter itself is a 6 inch nylon filter and has a four-layered screen fitted. The gooseneck is 14 inches long which sits on a 4 inch base clamp. The clamp itself is universal and will easily fit on most booms, microphone stands and desk stands, by simply screwing into place. It does it’s job admirably in eliminating both breathing and plosive sounds. The goose-neck itself is quite flexible, and given its ample length, it can be fitted to the mic stand in two distinct ways. It can be fitted so as to reach up from under the mic, or it can be fitted with the pop filter hanging over the mic. This second configuration is avoids clumsy hands for artists that are used to holding onto the mic stand.

Shure and Social Media

Shure has been manufacturing recording equipment since before the WWII and were contracted by the US Government to provide microphones for the war effort. With roots in radio broadcasting, they became a natural choice for many artists and sound recorders. They have a good presence on the web with their web site having grown to over 11,000 pages in the Americas alone covering their products and services. Even so, the PS-6 only gets a scant mention amongst other accessories.

Having said this I particularly like that they have an active Facebook page where they respond to product queries rather quickly. In the photos section, you will see hundred of pics of various artists using Shure microphones and accessories. Patric Boland of the Los Angeles Recording School has sent in his pic of the Shure PG81 mic with the PS-06 Popper Stopper fitted.

Shure also have an active Google+ page where you can see Jake Broido covering Usher in acapella on a SM7B mic with a Popper Stopper fitted.

Typical Use

The PS-6 Popper Stopper, like almost all nylon pop filters, is better suited to situations where only one person will be using the filter. Being a nylon filter, hygiene becomes an issue when it is to be used by various people. Of course it can be easily washed with warm water in between sessions, but this will wear it down. With frequent use and daily washing routine its studio life can be less than one year. In studio type settings where multiple people will be using the same mic, it may be best to look at a metal mesh pop filter. All this being the case, if the filter is to be used by the same person and is washed weekly, the filters life can be extended to a few years.

The Verdict

All round the PS-06 Popper stopper is a solid performer. It has a professional look and feel which is handy for use in video productions such as video podcasts. The company has been about for years and offers good support on all its products and their staff are quick to respond on their websites. Again I have reservations recommending a nylon pop filter that will be used by various performers as in a studio setting. See my page on Metal Vs Nylon Pop Filters where I have a look at the pros and cons of metal and nylon pop filters and windscreens. I would also like it if Shure offered replacement filters that could be fitted onto the goose-neck for studio use. For home recordings, podcasts and voice-overs, the Popper Stopper is more than you will need.

Dimensions

• Filter Diameter: 6 inches or 152 mm
• Gooseneck length: 14 inches or 355 mm
• Base Clamp: 4 inches or 101 mm

Key Features

• A four-layered screen
• Highly adjustable Gooseneck

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Part of the Harlan Hogan Signature Series, this pop filter is ideally suited to the VO:1-A condenser microphone popularly used in voice overs. The clamp is a precise fit for the 1-A and its size should be noted before purchase for use with different microphones. Unlike other pop filters that are designed to be attached to the microphone stand, this one clamps onto the microphone handle or body. The VO:1-A microphone has a diameter of 1.85 inches or approximately 47mm.

The Vo:A-1 Microphone

The VO: 1-A Harlan Hogan Signature Series Microphone itself is based on the MXL 2006 series where you can check out its output on the owners manual. Being a cardioid condenser microphone a pop shield or foam windshield is an essential extra and this is why this particular filter was designed. The filter is also suitable for the MXL 2006 series microphone which shares the same dimensions.

Steve Cunningham, a voice actor and producer at Acme Voiceworx, reviewed the VO:1-A mic. In his review he writes how essential a pop filter is for use with this mic and that none are supplied with the mic. Specifically he writes:

…this microphone has a high enough sensitivity that plosives will still bite you in the butt if you’re not using a suitable pop filter.

Other metal mesh or nylon pop filters that attach themselves onto the boom or mic stand can also be used. Make sure to check the length and flexibility of the gooseneck for a desirable fit.

If the VO: 1-A-PF Metal Mesh Pop Filter is ideal in video production as its stylish looks invoke memories of the Abbey Road Studio recordings with The Beatles. It has a classy polished metal finish which you would expect in such a professional tool. Durability and ease of cleaning are standard features for any metal filter.

Dimensions

The Pop Filter itself has the following Dimensions:

• Mesh Frame Width: 115 mm or 4.5 inches
• Mesh Frame Height: 85mm or 3.4 inches
• Total Height: 161 mm or 6.3 inches
• Gooseneck Length: 76 mm or 2.9 inches

Harlan Hogan

The Harlan Hogan Signature Series pop filter is made by MXL Microphones which has a tradition in manufacturing high quality mics and recording equipment. MXL boast that they produce equipment at a price range far lower than comparable sound quality output. You will not find the VO:1-A in their catalogue however as it was exclusively VoiceOver Essentials which is run by the legendary voice over specialist Harlan Hogan himself. Harlan Hogan has lent his legendary voice to countless advertisement, documentaries and is also know as doing voice over for video games such as World of Warcraft.

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