by Rick Zanotti 
Have you ever listened to an eLearning lesson and heard annoying popping sounds as the narrator spoke? I'm betting that you're nodding your head right about now.
The popping sounds are called plosives, as in "explosives," or P-pops. If you've recorded your own audio for an eLearning project, I'm betting you're guilty of creating your own plosives at least a few times.
Plosives occur when we say consonants (like words beginning with the letter P) with too much air. The air causes the microphone to create the "popping" sound, which can be distracting to learners.
Fortunately, preventing plosives is fairly easy and can be accomplished in one of two ways:
- You can learn good microphone and breathing techniques. (I'll be covering some of these in my upcoming Audio Basics for eLearning online class.) This option is great, but it could take a long time to master. If you're busy, it's probably not a good option for you.
- Use a Pop Filter.
A pop filter usually sells for under $20. It's a nylon-like mesh device that is placed inches away from your microphone. While a simple device, a pop filter actually stops strong puffs of air from hitting your microphone and virtually eliminates plosives.
Here is a link to some pop filters you can buy from amazon.com.
About the author: Rick Zanotti is an instructional designer, multimedia author, voice-over talent, video producer and Management consultant with more than 35 years of experience in IT and Learning. He has managed multi-million dollar projects and believes in a simple and practical approach to providing solutions. Rick founded RELATE Corporation 26 years ago, a successful eLearning and media development company. Rick teaches our Audio Basics for eLearning online class.
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