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I do documentary style videos on YouTube so all narration/voice-over is recorded separately and in a fairly-basic treated room, so coloration & ambient noise isn't an issue, which is why I use a condenser rather than a dynamic mic. I currently rock a Maono AU-PM422 (first and only mic I've had so far) and while the quality is actually great for its entry price-point, I'm looking to upgrade to an XLR setup and have set my sights on a Rode NT1 & Rode AI-1 audio interface. However, one thing that annoys me to no end is spending a good amount of time in Adobe Audition knocking out every little breath and the pops/clicks mouth sounds. Do the higher quality mics kill these sounds or is it just a fact of life and I need to start drinking a gallon of water two hours before every recording?

EDIT: I have a pop filter that handles plosive sounds just fine, that's why I said 'non-plosive clicks/pops,' it's the mouth/spit sounds I'm having issues with, not plosive pops. Sorry, I should've worded better!

I do documentary style videos on YouTube so all narration/voice-over is recorded separately and in a fairly-basic treated room, so coloration & ambient noise isn't an issue, which is why I use a condenser rather than a dynamic mic. I currently rock a Maono AU-PM422 (first and only mic I've had so far) and while the quality is actually great for its entry price-point, I'm looking to upgrade to an XLR setup and have set my sights on a Rode NT1 & Rode AI-1 audio interface. However, one thing that annoys me to no end is spending a good amount of time in Adobe Audition knocking out every little breath and the pops/clicks mouth sounds. Do the higher quality mics kill these sounds or is it just a fact of life and I need to start drinking a gallon of water two hours before every recording? EDIT: I have a pop filter that handles plosive sounds just fine, that's why I said 'non-plosive clicks/pops,' it's the mouth/spit sounds I'm having issues with, not plosive pops. Sorry, I should've worded better!

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[–] • 1 pt

I do pre recorded video presentations for my customers.

My mics are a Rode NT-USB, an Aston Spirit, and many purple panda lavs.

The NT-USB is my usual go to, with audacity for recording / edits.

I don't use a pop filter, and my audio is crystal clear.

With that in mind, here's my advice.

  1. Get a good pair of studio headphones and listen to yourself as you go. It's easier to fix bad habits if you can hear yourself clearly, live. Audio technica monitors are damn good bang for buck.

  2. Don't eat the mic! Put it a little off to the side or under you. Use those headphones and experiment with placement.

  3. Check your humidity. If the room is too dry your mouth will dry out and get sticky. Your sinuses will close off, making your tone nasal. you'll be tempted to compensate the nasal tone by getting closer in, further amplifying the dry mouth noises.

  4. Take it easy on the caffiene. Drinking liters of water does no good if you're pissing gallons.

  5. Record as early in the day as you can, when your cords are at their most relaxed state. It'll bring out a deeper natural timbre from your chest. speaking of..

  6. Breathe from your diaphram and relax.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Thanks a lot for all of that, it’s always great to hear from someone that does this type of stuff professionally.
The funny thing is, my entry level mic’s cardioid pattern is so loose that it may as well be omni.
It does have zero-latency monitoring though, and I do use it with my Philips X2HR’s.
My mic placement is usually about 6” or more away from me, but I do speak directly toward it.
(Thanks again)

[–] • 0 pt

These were all really good/ helpful suggestions, I wonder and maybe you can answer. If you cut certain frequencies as well.something like a de esssssser is what I was thinking.

[–] • 1 pt

Audacity has a good de-esser plugin: https://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?p=245549#p245549

High frequency sibilance tends to carry forward from the tip of the tongue. Lav mics are an easy fix, since they fit around the collar.

If your mic is sensitive enough, just back it off and to the side.

check out pictures of the joe rogan podcast. almost all his guests (who aren't trained vocalists) have their mics set 4 inches below and 6 inches back from their mouths. that's on purpose. the sibilant noises carry well over the mic, and not into it. this sacrifices some timbre, but overall the quality doesnt suffer.

[–] • 0 pt

I wonder what knowledge I’m replacing with this knowledge? What was the question? Oh ya um..... Eq and mic placement. Good info mate , I wonder if op will read this far ?