Eliminating background or wind noise is a common challenge among most sound engineers or recording artists. Any noise can distract the overall sound quality of the audio, and it makes it difficult for you to hear what the speaker or vocalist is saying.
Therefore, what is the best way to deal with this problem? Well, buying a quality foam cover can help you achieve a quality audio recording since they eliminate wind noises.
You may be asking yourself why microphones have a foam cover on top of them. In this article, we will know more about foam covers and their role when recording audio.
What are the benefits of having a foam cover on a microphone?
- They absorb background or wind noise and vibrations, especially during outdoor recording sessions
- Foam covers are also useful for indoor recordings, where noises from HVAC and fans can destroy the overall sound quality of the audio
- They protect the microphone’s capsule from moisture from saliva and dirt; in turn, it increases the microphone’s durability
- Foam covers are aesthetic since they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes
What happens when you remove the microphone foam cover?
If you remove a foam cover, moisture will sneak into the microphone. Also, you can hear the speaker’s breathing and hissing sounds when pronouncing certain words with letters such as ‘p’, ‘s’, and ‘t.’
Many sound engineers agree that using a foam cover may reduce high-frequency tones. However, the positive impacts of these covers may outweigh this specific limitation.
For instance, once you remove the foam cover in an outdoor setting where there’s a gentle breeze or the wind is stronger, you will end up hearing more of the wind than what the subject says.
The foam, on the other hand, will absorb the wind noise and provide a balance to the sound. With this balance, the sound engineer can easily edit out the noise during editing.
What’s the purpose of a foam cover on a headset microphone?
If you normally depend on your headset microphone for online conference meetings, you’d better invest in a quality foam cover. The cover prevents the microphone from frequent contact with saliva.
As you speak, hissing and breathing sounds can sound unprofessional and annoying to other listeners on the call. A foam cover will absorb these sounds; hence, you don’t have to keep repeating what you are saying since everything you say is clear to your listeners.
Can you buy replacements for your mic’s foam cover?
Like any other product, foam covers tend to dry, and the flakes fall off when you use them for a long time. You might also need a replacement if the foam cover you have doesn’t suit your recording situation.
You can find a variety of foam covers in Amazon, Aliexpress, and music stores. When selecting the best, consider the ideal option for your microphone’s size, the recording environment, and budget.
Note that there are three types of foam covers. They include:
- Foam windscreens – The most affordable option and offers up to 8dB of wind noise reduction
- Wind jammers or dead cats – They are used for shotgun microphones. They will provide between 25 dB to 40 dB of noise reduction depending on the quality
- Blimps – Unlike the previous two that protect the microphone’s head only, these cover the entire microphone. They protect it from noise and vibrations and have a maximum noise reduction value of up to 50 dB
Do you need a pop filter if you already have a foam cover?
Both pop filters and foam covers play a significant role in diffusing noise. However, pop filters may only be suitable for indoor setups, while foam covers are usable in outdoor and indoor settings.
You can use both pop filters and foam covers if you use a condenser for recording. The foam covers will absorb wind noise as the pop filter diffuses plosive sounds from consonant sounds and high-end and low-end issues that the foam covers would find difficult to deal with or absorb.
Can a sock replace a foam cover?
A sock can be a budget-friendly option for someone who needs to record but cannot access a foam cover.
Even though it’s not a recommended idea for a professional recording, using a sock can help get rid of those annoying ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds you would hear when recording without a foam cover.
By the way, in 1969, the sound engineers responsible for The Beatles’ live performance at Apple Records’ rooftop had to use a pantyhose (which is similar to a sock) to help absorb wind noises.
Conclusion
There you have it. We hope that you have enough information on why you need a foam cover on your microphone by now. Thanks for reading the entire article. We hope that the information will help you make an informed decision, especially if you want to achieve quality and professional sound quality for your recordings in different recording environments.