PS101
Stedman Pop Screen 101
Reviews
Mix Magazine - A couple years ago, after reviewing almost
every pop filter on the market, I swore I'd never review another one.
Today, there are way to many "me-too" and knockoff screen products
available, but when something truly unique came out, I had to check it
out.
PS101
has a 13-inch gooseneck with a clamp that attaches to any mic stand or
boom. However, what really sets Proscreen apart from the rest of the pack
is its unique metal screen material that is not simply perforated but
louvered at a slight angle to redirect ultra-low frequency breath blasts
and pops downward out the back of the screen. This process does not attenuate
high frequencies--as do most fabric screens--and leaves the vocal performance
unaffected. Even blowing directly into the screen has almost no effect
of the mic.
As a plus, the Proscreen is easy to clean and is ruggedly built for a
lifetime of service--in fact, the unit includes a lifetime warranty. This
one works!
--George Petersen
Tape
OP Magazine - One relatively inexpensive piece of gear that can
have a lot of impact on your recordings is the good old pop filter. For
most, this is a fabric mesh screen to place in front of a vocal mic in
order to prevent plosives - those horrible pops created by “P”
and “B” sounds when a burst of air comes out of the singer’s
mouth - and you learned how to build your own last issue.
Stedman has come up with a new twist on the pop filter though, creating
a metal screen that has a louver-type pattern which allows sound to go
to the mic but diverts air away from the mic element.
While tracking vocals on a recent session we decided to give it a test.
On hand were a single layer pop filter with a heavier fabric, a double
layer filter with a lighter mesh fabric and the Stedman. We tracked a
verse that featured lots of “P”s on three different tracks
with the three filters up. The Stedman won hands down. It allowed clearer
highs to come through and cut the plosives as much as the heaviest fabric.
The two-layer filter was next best but cut the highs a little bit and
allowed more pops to come through. The single layer cut the pops but was
audibly murky. Maybe there’s some situations where you need to trim
off the high-end of a vocalist, but in general I found the Stedman pop
filter to be far superior to the traditional mesh variety.
-Larry Crane
Tape Op Review
May/June 2001 No. 23
Front End Audio - Stedman PS101 pop filter. Does it live
up to the hype?
Only if you want to stop pops effectively without losing any high end
sheen on your vocal take. Oh, it makes a damn fine spatula too! Seriously,
one of the nice things about the Stedman is that you can wash it.
Next time you see a singer practically tongue kissing your pop filter
as they zero in for the kill... you'll be rinsing off your Stedman knowing
that you've prevented disease AND captured a better vocal take. Yes,
there are cheaper pop filters, but the Stedman is king.
Mojo Pie - When I first saw the Stedman PS101 popscreen,
I thought, "This is a popfilter?"
I first noticed the Stedman PS101 when browsing at Guitar Center. I saw
that they had a ton of these things on the wall. I was there to try out
some mics. As an afterthought, I asked the salesman if I could use a Stedman
PS101 as the pop screen for testing out mics. I watched the salesman rip
open the package to set the pop filter up for me.
I felt bad knowing I was going to leave an open package for some other
schmuck to buy. It couldn't be better than any of the fabric pop filters
I knew about so well. I was wrong. And, I'm glad to admit it. I bought
that Stedman PS101 and let me tell you why.
It sounds better. It's noticeably clearer than standard nylon filters.
The louvered metal screen delivers an uncolored sound. It's washable.
Anyone with vocalists coming in should have one for this purpose alone.
You can clean it in the sink with soap and water if needed, or wipe it
off and you're done.
It's sturdy. Everything about the unit is solid and should stand up to
a lifetime of use.
Steve Langer, the publisher of Mojo Pie recommends the Stedman PS101 for
three reasons. He says, "First, the Stedman PS101 pop filters do
not attenuate high frequencies like the traditional nylon pop screens
do. Second, if you put one in front of you and blow through it, you don't
feel any wind. It's an amazing diffusor. Third, they're very durable."
It's made in the USA. Yes, that's right. Stedman shows an innovative and
durable product can still be made in the USA.
The Bottom Line: the Stedman PS101 is one of those cool little finds that
makes a difference. Don't make your vocalist kiss the last singer that
was in. Put up a Stedman PS101. Very highly recommended.
Warren Dent, December 17, 2003
Specifications
Screen diameter: 4.6 inches (11.7cm)
Length: 20 inches (50.7cm)
Weight: 5.8 oz.
Clamp opening diameter: .5" to .80"