VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Chrissy]

I'll start off by saying that I searched the archives to find an answer to this problem.

I bought a Rode Premium Pop Shield w/Arm from Sweetwater. It has a very strong smell I liken it to being in an enclosed room with a new carpet or a Building 19. Unfortunately this smell gives me an unpleasant contact high which isn't the state I should be in while recording. Actually what happens is my lips start to feel numb, follwed by my face, and then I get so sleepy that I have to leave the room or risk nodding off.

Things I've tried: Hung it outside on the clothes line for a couple of days.
Soaked it in soap, water and baking soda for most of a
day.

Still smells. Any suggestions before I return it? Do the pop shields all have strong smells when new? I never encounted this when I 've recorded in studios.

I've even considered sticking it in wet coffe grounds which is supposed to take away unwanted orders. I'd much rather have the shield smelling like French Roast. maybe it will keep me alert without risking dry mouth.

I do know how to deal with popping P's but sometimes in the heat of the moment I forget to do it, then have to re-record. I'm still not great at deleting a word from the middle of a sentence and dropping another one in.

Thanks in advance for all comments.

[bobsouer]

Chrissy,

I've never encountered a pop shield of any kind that had a strong odor.
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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[Don G.]

Three things.

1. Maybe try spraying it with some Febreeze™?

2. I love the reference to Building 19.

3. I'm still not great at deleting a word from the middle of a sentence and dropping another one in. That's a skill worth learning.



-edited to add the third item-

[Frank F]

Alcohol, preferably some good vodaka.

Next on the list: Vamoose Fresh Scent, spray liberally.

And finally, send it back and get a metal pop filter. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-Metal-Pop-Filter?sku=426600&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26028940

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PopFilter6/

http://www.stedmancorp.com/pages/xl.html

or make one of your own... http://www.hometracked.com/2006/05/28/homemade-pop-filters/

http://www.jakeludington.com/project_studio/20050321_build_your_own_microphone_pop_screen.html

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/04/how_to_make_a_homemade_pop_fil.html

Better yet, use a different microphone technique.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Diane Maggipinto]

suggestions:

1.) call them to inquire
2.) Haz-Mat!


ZOIKS!
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[Mandy Nelson]

[Chrissy]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The guy I bought it from at Sweetwater, this really cute sounding Australian, was really nice and gave me a good discount. He said to definitely let him know if there are any problems. I'm definitely going to return it since I just bought on 11/03.

Frank, once again thanks for all of the links. I can easily do an even trade.

Mandy, actually the homemade one was what I was looking for in the archives. I remembered the cross stitch hoop and stockings part but was looking for how to attach it to the mic stand. But the hanger idea is also nifty and won't cost anything at this point.

Now I'll get back to practicing taking individual words out and replacing them in the middle of a phrase.

[Steve Royal]

[anthonyVO]

You can spray, wet, dry... everything, but that smell comes from the curing of the material(s) used - in effect emitting gases from the curing process; it's what you smell and what's making you sick. Not much different than the "new car smell" - also a process of the curing of the plastics in the vehicle.

I'd return it! We have enough toxic plastic issues to deal with in our day to day - you don't want yet another one in your face all the time. God only knows the long term health effects.

OR, store it in your basment until the curing process completes. Just don't continue to inhale whatever gases that thing is giving off. The manufacturer might tell you they're harmless, but so had so many other people selling us plastic toys made in China.

-Anthony

[Chrissy]

Anthony, I agree with you. The pop shield is going back. I don't believe the smell is harmless no matter what they say.

[tackerman]

Wise decision, IMHO.

[CarlWelden]

You're luck you were able to return it.
A lot of places won't take back anything used in/on or near a mouth (mics, pop-filters) or ears (headphones) by citing hygienic reasons.

Have you tried the Popless brand? I know the guy who makes them.
They're odor-free, and offer a little something more than the single batten style: http://www.popfilter.com
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http://www.carlwelden.com
A Welden voice is a well-done voice
SKYPE ID: carlwelden42

[Chrissy]

Carl,

Those popless ones look really cool. I've book marked it. Well I guess I'm lucky. I explained to my sales rep that I hadn't even been able to use it because of the strong smell. Besides I think I charmed him by telling him how much I liked his Australian accent.