What Is a Plosive?
Updated October 2026
A plosive is a speech sound, such as p, b, t or d, that releases a short burst of air. Close to a mic, the burst can hit the capsule and make a pop.
The short version
- A plosive is a consonant that releases a burst of air.
- Close to a mic, the burst makes a thump called a pop.
- A pop filter and a slight off-axis position prevent most pops.
- A low cut reduces the thump in a file, but prevention is better.
The short definition
A plosive is a consonant made by stopping and releasing the air, such as p, b, t, d, k and g. The release is a short puff of air.
Why it pops
A mic close to the mouth catches the puff. The capsule moves, and the recording records a low thump. Plosives on p and b are the usual culprits.
Prevention and fixes
A pop filter, a little distance and speaking slightly to the side prevent most pops. In a file, a high-pass filter reduces the thump. The pop filter explanation covers placement.
Prevent the pop, then clean
Tunedzy’s cleanup includes a pop guard. Prevent pops at the mic first.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a plosive and a pop?
The plosive is the speech sound; the pop is the thump it can make in a mic.
Do all mics pop?
Any close mic can pop. Directional mics are more sensitive to the burst.
Can I remove a plosive completely?
Often most of it. Prevention is the reliable fix.
Keep going
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