Please Help: Hiss-POP trouble when recording an S

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:33 am

I am just starting out trying to record a spoken podcast. I have a problem that "s" sounds are creating a popping sound - please listen to this example

http://www.picifix.com/dkt_podcasts/hiss-pop-example.wav

The recording was made on a pc using a Trust HS-4080 USB headset.

At the moment the best i have come up with is to use the equaliser to take down the high frequencies, but this is not ideal as sounds too dull.

any advice would most apreciated,

thanks

tim

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:45 am

You are suffering overload distortion from excessive sibelence. You should reduce your recording volume and within your software you may want to look for what is referred to as a "De-Esser". It is actually a frequency dependent limiter that only acts upon the frequencies between 2kHz to 6kHz. That is to say the limiter is made more sensitive to those frequencies and so limits those frequencies more so than any others reducing the excess of sibelence, dynamically and for the most part inaudibly. No other equalization will be necessary and it will keep the character of the sound intact. Not to worry, it's only a little operator error.

Tally Ho
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:48 am

Thanks so much for that advice. I will give it a go.

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:59 pm

So long as you aren't peaking out, most mid-range programs will have a filter or plug-in available to help you with this.

If you are peaking then you'll need to change the mic.

Remy has the right idea, and good practice with pronunciation can help to limit over-sibilant vocalists/VAs/etc.

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:21 pm

A look at the web seems to show the headset used is a "telephone" headset, for use with VOIP(Like Vonage.)? If this is so, it may purposely add to the sibilence(Sort've) in an effort to increase intelligibility(A mic similar to the one in your telephone!)?

This is my kind way of saying that it may not be the best mic for you to do a podcast on, if audio quality is any sort of a goal?

I do NOT want to spend your money unnecessarily, but(Up to you!), an inexpensive microphone preamp(Plugged into the soundcards "line in" jack), almost any close-to-decent microphone, as good as a Shure SM58, would be great(Plugged in the mic pre), a decent boom mic stand(Or small table-top stand(?), and a "regular" pair of headphones(AKG, whatever?) should be f-a-r superior and relatively inexpensive -- say around $300(US) total? Should be s-o-o-o much better and all available(To at least look) at any good local music/recording(Most are into recording these days) store... If ANY possibility of doing more than just one voice, the purchase of a USB "all-in-one" gadget(Lexicon makes some, like the 'Lambda'.), would solve the mic-pre-problem(And several others), as well as provide for additional mics and other sound sources(CD players?), plus the mic, stand, and phones, could cost about $4-500? Then you'd be really "pro" on the podcast circuit...

TG

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:42 am

People in Lititz, PA actually seem to know what's going on? How did that happen?

Teddy's such a Sssssilly boy...
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:48 pm

Must be the influence from Clair Brothers and Tait Towers(Right next door to CB - they make all the staging for the "really big shows".)..? Or possibly the fumes from the Listerine plant? Or maybe the Oehme pie-baking factory? Or the Wilbur chocolate factory! Ahhhhhh! What a combo... a Listerine flavored chocolate pie, shaped like a speaker! Maybe I'm onto something - but I won't say what...

Have you ever heard the theory about the chimp and the typewriter?

If no one believes what you say, you just haven't said enough!

If you can't leave 'em laughing, leave 'em baffled?

"Select your choice from the, above, selections -or make-up your own."

TG

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