Cleaning up string "scratching" sounds in acoustic recordings

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anjou
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Anjou

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I've recorded some acoustic guitar tracks using an Olympus D-30 digital stereo dictation recorder, in my home. I'm recording straight into the unit, without amping the guitar or voice. Since all I'm looking for is a rough sample track, the sound quality is actually pretty good, but there's very noticeable string "scratch" or "squeal", as my fingers are going up and down the neck on the wound strings. [ yes... I've changed the way I make some of the chords, but there's no way to eliminate them all, due to the song needing to be played with a sliding style. ]

Is there any way to edit those things out after? Any suggestions on how to minimize them during the recording?

Thanks much.
Anjou
 
It's a part of the sound, embrace it. You can change your technique to help, but it won't eliminate the squeals. You'll hear them on many pro recordings, so don't fret. Unless it's really that much louder than the actual plucking.
 
I've recorded some acoustic guitar tracks using an Olympus D-30 digital stereo dictation recorder, in my home. I'm recording straight into the unit, without amping the guitar or voice. Since all I'm looking for is a rough sample track, the sound quality is actually pretty good, but there's very noticeable string "scratch" or "squeal", as my fingers are going up and down the neck on the wound strings. [ yes... I've changed the way I make some of the chords, but there's no way to eliminate them all, due to the song needing to be played with a sliding style. ]

Is there any way to edit those things out after? Any suggestions on how to minimize them during the recording?

Thanks much.
Anjou

I remember hearing these "finger sqeaks" on recordings as a kid and would always wonder why they left those on the recordings. As I got older it use to annoy me. Now...as a home recordist who loves to play acoustic guitar, I actually like to hear a little of the "finger sqeaks".....as long as it is not to over powering and too often.
It can be reduced to a degree by technique and the chord voicings that are getting played as you have already mentioned.
 
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