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How can plosives and sibilance be controlled during podcast recording and editing?
Asked on Nov 13, 2025
Answer
Controlling plosives and sibilance is essential for maintaining clear and pleasant audio quality in podcast recordings. Plosives are bursts of air from consonants like "p" and "b," while sibilance refers to the harsh "s" and "sh" sounds. Both can be managed through proper microphone technique and post-production editing.
Example Technique:
- Step 1 – Position the microphone slightly off-axis to reduce direct airflow from plosives.
- Step 2 – Use a pop filter to diffuse air bursts and minimize plosive impact.
- Step 3 – Apply EQ and de-essing tools during editing to reduce sibilance and refine vocal clarity.
Additional Comment:
- Placing the microphone at a 45-degree angle can help avoid plosive issues.
- Pop filters are inexpensive and highly effective for controlling plosives.
- De-essers can be adjusted to target specific frequency ranges where sibilance occurs.
- Test different microphone positions and settings to find the best setup for your voice.
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