When I was sent the Popper Blocker to test, I was skeptical. It seems like it was too simple a design—a solution that someone should have thought up years ago. The Popper Blocker is a small disc made out of carbon fiber acoustical material that allows sound to pass but blocks wind. Much like an external pop filter used in the studio, the Popper Blocker minimizes the ‘plosive pops of “B” and “P” sounds. Installation and use of the Popper Blocker is really easy. Take the ball-style vocal mic of your choice and unscrew the windscreen, then simply place the disc into the inside of the windscreen. Screw the windscreen back onto the microphone and you are ready to go.
Although I started out very skeptical, I quickly became a believer. I tested the same type of vocal mic side by side, one with the Popper Blocker and one without. Sure enough the little device lives up to its promise. The Popper Blocker minimized even my most aggressive attempts at popping the mic. At the same time, I didn't notice much, if any, loss in top-end detail.
Next, I used the Popper Blocker on a Sunday morning worship set without letting the vocalist know. The vocal sat in the mix quite nicely, and there were no issues with ‘plosive delivery on the vocal. Later, I asked the vocalist if they had noticed any difference in quality of the vocal in their monitor, and there were no complaints.
Churches are often working with inexperienced vocalists and presenters who may not know how to “work” the mic. Many churches also don't have the engineering expertise or the type of sound system that enables dealing with ‘plosives electronically. For $5, I can't imagine why a church wouldn't want to put a Popper Blocker in all their ball-style mics.
