Look, this is admittedly the smallest of small potatoes, but the sound at tonight’s debate are, to paraphrase Donald J. Trump, a total disaster.

The mics aren’t just popping on p’s—the most common offender—but on b’s and t’s too.

.@PBS please fix the popping mic's at the next break.... — Kim Ghattas (@BBCKimGhattas) February 12, 2016

Those microphones popping are very annoying. Didn’t anyone do a sound check? — Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 12, 2016

Can they stop now and raise the money from viewers for two new microphones that are not from Radio Shack? I'm good for ten bucks. — Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 12, 2016

PBS doesn’t have to get this to Steely Dan-level fidelity (and as someone who detests Steely Dan I hope that doesn’t happen), but there are a lot of ways to fix mic popping: mic placement, (unattractive) windscreens, foam socks.

This has been a very chill debate for the most part, but the microphones are killing the vibe by making it sound like the Blue Man Group is playing in the background. Donate to your local PBS station, folks.

