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Conclusion

Both the audio and visual aspects of our results help support the opinion that the overall quality of the recording increased with the use of the pop-filter, which means that our low-budget tool was successful. In total, we spent under $10 (including trial and error) and were able to use materials that can be found around the house or at a Dollar store. Obstacles were easy to overcome and we finished with a tool that works perfectly.

IMG_0671.jpg

Our total spendings on the materials for the pop filter was approximately ten dollars.

Results From Testing

We would conclude that the pop-filter worked better than expected. You can very clearly hear the difference between the “P” sounds with and without the filter.

If you take a look at the audio files side by side, you can clearly see where the voice spiked when there was no filter used. In the track recorded with the filter, these peaks are removed. The spikes in the track without the filter are marked with red below.

Screen Shot 2017-11-01 at 7.54.34 PM.png

Testing The Filter

The purpose of a pop-filter is to prevent what are called “plosives” and breathing noises from entering an audio recording. Plosives are a burst of sound that is created from “P” sounds.

We had an individual who is not in our group read a script to test the quality difference and see whether this pop-filter was a success. This is the script we used to record the audio:

“This is a test without (or with) the homemade low-budget pop filter. When you record your voice, the P sounds, such as push, pull, or pig, make a plosive. This can be prevented with a pop filter. ”

Due to limitations on this blog and upload compatibility, here are the links to the audio files with and without the filter.

Without Pop-Filter:

https://clyp.it/ijlsrcf0

With Pop-Filter:

https://clyp.it/0ojhnhxp

Procedure

The following stages listed are the steps that we went through in order to create our final version of our pop filter.

  1. We used a knife to cut out the inside of the strainer in order to create the frame.
  2. After cutting out the inside of the strainer, there were some sharp spikes from the material that were still attached to the inside of the frame. We felt that this could possibly rip the pantyhose, so in order to ensure that it does not rip them we attached a layer of duct tape around the whole frame.
  3. Next, we cut the pantyhose so that all that was left was the leg. We then pulled the pantyhose over the frame to cover it. After doing this, we realized that there was too much extra material, so we tried to cut it. However, this ended up distorting the pantyhose, and it also ended up not covering the full frame once cut.

  4. To solve this issue, we had to start over with a new pair of pantyhose. We then slid the pantyhose over the frame again, and cut the extra bits off, leaving a bit of material left that we then tied with hair elastics to secure it.
  5. The last step was to attach the toilet paper holder to the frame that we had created.To do this, we placed them side by side and taped them together with duct tape.

Prototype One

We made a basic prototype for planning how we would like to make our pop filter. After making the prototype, we felt it would be beneficial to take what we learned from our prototype and use it to improve on our next version.

The materials we used for our first attempt:

  • Cardboard
  • Pantyhose
  • Duct Tape

Below is a photo of Prototype 1:

IMG_2799

Findings:

We found that our first attempt was not sturdy enough, due to the use of cardboard as the frame. After examining our prototype we decided that in order to have a sturdy frame we would need to use something stronger than cardboard. We also felt that holding up the pop filter to use it would be inconvenient, and that having something to hold it up would be better.

 

Planning

Some of the DIY websites we looked at suggested using an embroidery hoop or a wire coat hanger for the outside frame of the pop filter. While searching for tools to use, we decided that a strainer would be better to use than a coat hanger, because it would be sturdier and have cleaner edges. We plan on using this strainer as the frame by cutting out the inside of it so that all is left is the frame of the strainer. Below is a picture of the strainer we plan on using.

IMG_2771   IMG_2772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another idea we plan on carrying out is to attach the strainer to a paper towel holder support, in order to hold up the frame of the strainer/pop filter so that it can stand without being held. A photo of the paper towel holder we plan on using is included below:

IMG_2789.JPG

The following items are possible items that we may use to secure the strainer to the paper towel holder. Included below are pictures of the items (hair ties, duct tape):

IMG_2791.jpg

We plan to then use pantyhose to cover the strainer as the screen that is used on the pop filter. Below is a photo of the pantyhose we plan on using:

IMG_2790.jpg

DIY Inspirations

Examples on WikiHow suggested the following tools for a DIY pop filter, which we took into account and used as reference. We used these as examples but ultimately used our creative thinking to come up with other materials that can be used to make the tool in a better and different way.

  • Sewing, embroidery hoop filter
  • Screen door material
  • Coffee can lid filter

From: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pop-Filter

A lot of these items were household items, however some were things that were not as common to be found in the house. We wanted to focus on using household items for our DIY, as well as inexpensive items to ensure that the tool was low tech.