Connect Popper as a Virtual Audio Device

Popper is a desktop application that reduces plosive sounds — those harsh "p" and "b" noises — from your microphone input in real time. To use it with your Blue Yeti, you route the Yeti's audio through Popper as a virtual device, then send Popper's cleaned output to your recording or streaming software. This works on Windows and Mac, though the setup steps differ slightly between them.

The core idea is that Popper sits between your microphone and your software. Your Blue Yeti feeds into Popper, Popper removes plosives, and then your recording app (OBS, Discord, Zoom, Audacity, or anything else) receives the cleaned audio from Popper instead of directly from the Yeti.

Key Takeaways

  • Popper works as a virtual audio device that processes your Blue Yeti's output before it reaches your recording or streaming software.
  • On Windows, you select Popper as your microphone input in Windows Sound Settings, then choose Popper as the input device in your recording software.
  • On Mac, you create a multi-output device in Audio MIDI Setup that combines your Yeti with Popper, then select that device in your software.
  • Popper's plosive filter works best when you position your Blue Yeti slightly off-axis — angled rather than directly in front of your mouth.
  • If your software does not see Popper as an input option, restart both Popper and your recording application.

Windows Setup: Selecting Popper as Your Input Device

Open Popper and let it run in the background. Then open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Sound settings" — click the first result. Scroll down to the "Advanced" section and click "Volume mixer."

In Volume mixer, look for "App volume and device preferences" near the bottom. Click it. Find your recording software in the list (OBS, Discord, Audacity, or whatever you use). Click on it, then change the "Microphone" dropdown from "Blue Yeti" to "Popper." Close the settings window. Your software will now receive audio from Popper instead of directly from the Yeti.

If Popper does not appear in the dropdown, make sure Popper is running and check that you have the latest version installed. Restart Popper and your recording software, then try again.

Mac Setup: Creating a Multi-Output Device

On Mac, you need to create a virtual device that chains your Blue Yeti into Popper. Open Applications, go to Utilities, and launch Audio MIDI Setup. Click the plus icon at the bottom left and select "Create Multi-Output Device."

In the device list on the left, right-click your new multi-output device and rename it something clear like "Yeti + Popper." Then check the boxes next to both your Blue Yeti and Popper in the main window. Make sure the Blue Yeti is listed first — the order matters. Close Audio MIDI Setup.

Now open System Settings, go to Sound, and set your input device to the multi-output device you just created. In your recording software (OBS, Audacity, Discord), select that same multi-output device as the microphone input. Popper will now process your Yeti's audio before it reaches your software.

Adjusting Popper's Settings for Best Results

Once Popper is connected, open its settings window. You will see a slider for plosive reduction intensity — start at the middle setting and adjust up or down based on what you hear. Too low and plosives still come through; too high and your voice sounds unnatural or thin.

The best way to test is to record a short sample of yourself speaking naturally, saying words with hard "p" sounds like "pop," "please," and "plosive." Play it back and listen. If you still hear harsh pops, increase the filter. If your voice sounds muffled or hollow, decrease it. Most users find a setting between 40 and 70 percent works well.

Position your Blue Yeti slightly off-axis — angled about 15 to 30 degrees away from your mouth rather than pointing straight at it. This reduces the intensity of plosives hitting the microphone in the first place, so Popper has less work to do.

Troubleshooting: Popper Does Not Appear as an Input Option

If your recording software does not show Popper in the microphone list, first check that Popper is actually running. Look for it in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). If it is running but still not showing up, close your recording software completely and restart it. Sometimes the software needs to refresh its device list.

On Windows, also check that you are looking in the right place. Some software has its own audio settings separate from Windows Sound Settings. Open your recording app's preferences or settings menu and look for an "Audio" or "Devices" section. Select Popper there directly if the option exists.

If Popper still does not appear after restarting both applications, uninstall and reinstall Popper. Download the latest version from the official website, install it, and run through the setup steps again. Occasionally a corrupted installation can prevent the virtual device from registering with your system.

Using Popper with Streaming Software Like OBS

In OBS, go to Settings and click the Audio tab. Under "Mic/Auxiliary Audio," click the dropdown next to "Mic/Aux" and select Popper. You may also see it listed as "Popper Audio Device" or similar depending on your system. Click Apply, then OK.

Test your audio by speaking into your Blue Yeti and watching the audio meter in OBS. You should see green bars moving as you talk. If the meter does not move, go back and double-check that Popper is selected in the Audio settings. If it moves but sounds distorted or very quiet, adjust Popper's filter intensity down slightly.

Using Popper with Discord and Other Chat Apps

Open Discord and go to User Settings. Click "Voice & Video" on the left. Under "Input Device," click the dropdown and select Popper. Speak a few words and watch the input level meter — it should show green bars as you talk. If it does not move, Popper may not be selected correctly or may not be running.

The same process works for Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and most other video chat software. Look for the audio input settings in each app's preferences, find the microphone dropdown, and select Popper. Test your audio before joining a call or meeting so you know the connection is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Popper work with wireless Blue Yeti microphones?

Popper works with any Blue Yeti model as long as your computer recognizes it as an audio input device. Wireless Yeti models connect via USB or a wireless dongle the same way wired models do, so the setup is identical. Make sure your Yeti is powered on and connected before you launch Popper.

Will Popper reduce my microphone's volume?

Popper may slightly reduce overall volume depending on its filter intensity setting. If you notice your audio is quieter after connecting Popper, increase the input level in your recording software or adjust Popper's settings to a lower intensity. You can also boost the gain on your Blue Yeti itself if it has a physical dial.

Can I use Popper with multiple microphones at the same time?

Popper processes one audio input at a time, so you would need to select which microphone feeds into it. If you want to use multiple mics simultaneously, you would need to set up separate Popper instances or use a different tool. For most users with a single Blue Yeti, this is not a limitation.

What if I want to turn Popper off without changing my software settings?

Close Popper but leave your software's microphone setting pointing to Popper. Your software will show an error or no audio input until Popper is running again. To avoid this, switch your software's microphone back to your Blue Yeti directly before closing Popper, then switch it back to Popper when you restart it.

Does Popper add noticeable delay to my audio?

Popper adds minimal latency — typically less than 10 milliseconds, which is imperceptible to most users. If you notice a delay between speaking and hearing yourself in a call, it is usually caused by your internet connection or the chat software itself, not Popper.