If you have ever listened to a live music performance or broadcast, you will know that the sound is rather disappointing. That’s because the audio doesn’t travel very well in the wind.
If your microphone is at the back of the stage, it can pick up noise and other noises in the background. To prevent this, you can place a windscreen on your microphone. But what does a microphone windscreen do?
A windscreen is a flexible cover made from foam that is placed on the microphone basket to protect it from unwanted sounds like windblasts while recording and, in turn, produce a better quality sound.
What Are The Benefits Of Using a Windscreen?
There are many benefits of using a windscreen for your microphone. Let’s look at some of them:
Reduce Noise
A windscreen is a device that helps reduce the amount of unwanted noise created by wind blowing into a microphone.
Most of the time, people will want to use a foam windscreen for their microphones. They are especially useful for outdoor recording situations because they can reduce the effects of wind on microphones and sound systems.
Improve Sound Quality
Windscreen also helps in removing those unwanted sounds such as breathing and improves the audio quality. Windscreen also reduces the clicks, hiss sounds, or pops, which are picked up easily while talking in a microphone.
However, if you don’t intend to record outdoors with no wind, you can easily use a pop filter instead. The pop filter will also remove all those unwanted clicks and pops as well.
Protection For Microphones
Windscreen shields microphone components from moisture, particularly saliva and breath. It also protects the mic from dust and other debris entering the region. Your microphone will last longer as a result of this.
Hygienic and Sanitary
Microphones are often found in many places, including laboratories. They are usually shared among multiple users. Think of a windshield as a toothbrush. Replace it every three months. You are welcome to change it as often or based on how often you use it.
What Is The Difference Between A Microphone Windscreen And A Pop Filter?
The windscreen and a pop filter are tools that help a microphone block out or reduce excessive pressures like wind, unwanted noise, breath blasts or vocal plosives, and pop noise.
But they are quite different in terms of their build, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look:
Windscreen
The main advantage of having a microphone windscreen is its ability to provide extra noise protection against external factors such as wind, rain, snow, etc.
It prevents any damage caused by sudden changes in weather conditions. This makes sure that your microphone remains functional throughout the entire day.
So, windscreen is used mainly in an outdoor environment and works best in those areas where you need protection against wind noise.
Windscreens are kind of like a cover which is usually made from foam materials. They are designed to fit perfectly over the microphone casing.
Pop Filters
On the contrary, a pop filter has been specifically built to eliminate unwanted high-frequency signals like popping sounds and clicks coming out of your voice. These kinds of filters are commonly found inside studio environments.
In fact, most professional studios use them to ensure that the recorded signal stays clean without being affected by extraneous sounds.
So, pop filters are not designed for outside recordings but specifically for studio recordings.
Pop filters are usually made using a light mesh which is placed over a plastic ring frame. They are placed in front of your mic.
To get rid of unwanted noises, you need to place the microphone close enough to the pop filter.
Should I Use A Pop Filter And Windscreen?
You don’t need to use both the pop filter and the microphone windscreen at the same time. As I have mentioned above, you just need to use one of the two depending on what type of recording you wish to make.
If you are going to record in an outside environment where there can be winds, you must use the windscreen.
But if you only want to record your voice in a studio without the presence of outside noise, then the pop filter is the one you should use.
Best Windscreen To Buy
There are plenty of windscreens out there online. Here are my recommend windscreens:
1. Mudder 5 Pack Foam Mic Cover Handheld Microphone Windscreen
Mudder 5 Pack Foam Mic Cover Handheld Microphone Windscreen is a set of high-quality foam mic covers.
It is made of thick and soft foam, which can effectively prevent the wind noise as well as the pop sound from your microphone. It is suitable for KTV, dance ball, news interview, conference room, etc. It’s clean and sanitary.
2. Tetra-Teknica XFFZ5P-BLK Lapel & Headset Microphone Windscreen
It is made of lightweight yet dense and acoustically transparent foam material with good flexibility, strength, and tear resistance.
Fit a variety of headsets with microphones, such as gaming headsets, office telephone hands-free headsets, fitness class headsets. A generous package of 5 windscreens are included.
3. Movo WS-S1000 Furry Outdoor Deadcat Windscreen for Shotgun Microphones up to 7-inch
The Movo WS-S1000 is an outdoor furry deadcat windscreen designed to fit shotguns microphones up to 7″ long.
It’s perfect for use in outdoor shooting situations where wind noise and ambiance are a concern, such as on-location shoots.
The 50mm diameter opening slips over the existing foam windscreen of your shotgun microphone to provide extra protection against windy conditions.
This furry deadcat will also help minimize unwanted background noise caused by air movement around the microphone, resulting in clearer audio.
Conclusion – What Does A Microphone Windscreen Do
I hope that this blog post has been beneficial in explaining what microphone windscreens are for.
As you may have guessed, a microphone windscreen has a physical layer on the outside of it that stops noises such as the wind and other external interference from entering your mic or signal frequency.
The microphone windscreen makes sure they don’t blur the sound quality.
With a microphone windscreen, I believe that you can record clearer sound all around! Let us know if these points have helped decide whether or not to purchase one.
