clicky bass

  • Thread starter Thread starter hogsmoss
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hogsmoss

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im recording my bass (5-string fretless) and having a problem with the clicking sound from my fingers. i tried recording direct and also tried recording from a mic in front of my amp but i cant seem to get rid of the sound. i can compress it and use the eq to get rid of the clicks but it destroys the definition of what im playing. i've tried searching this site for a similar problem but the search tool seems to not be working these past couple of days.
does anyone have any suggestions?
 
Some of it depends on your playing style. if you have VU meters, that's what bass recording is all about. Make sure the VUs don't jump much... play with your fretting hand very relaxed and close to the strings, don't slam or be percussive, be groovy and use ghost notes. I think micing a bass cab is the only way to get a good bass sound, sometimes mixed with a DI. Try a tech 21 sans amp, if you like that svt or hot tube sound.. To eleminate a lot of highs, try a beta or something like it on the cabinet. It'll be rumbely, and then with your direct signal, you can mix out some of the mud. Cut everything above about 10khz, and maye lower depending on how much you're willing to sacrafice. Use a medium high ration on the compression.. people like that pumping bass sound, unless you're doing solo work, which is a MUCH different story.
 
yeah most will be solo work with the guitar off doing its own thing but for some songs i just need it in back holding everything together. i've tried using a softer touch but sometimes i'll get out of hand in the middle of the song and that click overpowers everything, no matter where i play on the neck.
 
Are your strings hitting the pickups? The last bass player I tracked had this problem. Severe clicking.
 
HangDawg said:
Are your strings hitting the pickups? The last bass player I tracked had this problem. Severe clicking.
Click to expand...

I hate when that happens. I don't think a lot of bass players know how clicky they sound until they hear it in a recording. It's in the right hand technique (for us righties) and just being aware of it can help you to eliminate it.
 
EddieRay said:
I hate when that happens. I don't think a lot of bass players know how clicky they sound until they hear it in a recording. It's in the right hand technique (for us righties) and just being aware of it can help you to eliminate it.
Click to expand...


I told this guy about it, the response was "OH, it's not that bad". I restated that it was going to be a problem but he wouldn't listen. Once he heard it in the mix weeks later, he said what the hell is that. :rolleyes:
 
The first step is to try turning the gain and volume up on your amp/mic pre and use less heavy hand work to create the same volume. If you practice your bass without an amp, you'll have a real tendency to dig in really hard. Upright bass in a physical instrument, electric bass most of the time doesn't have to be.
 
a lot of times it's the strings hitting some of the last frets

or it is with me, my setup is low, and when i finger pick if i'm not paying attention i tend to kinda strike twards the bass in stead of paralell with it.

a setup will help (at least a good one will)
 
Clip your nails. If they hang over your finger tips even a little bit, things can still get clicky.

If that doesn't work, it's probably the strings hitting the frets.

Try plucking more vertically, if that makes sense.

Also, make sure your fretting hand isn't banging the strings down too hard on the faster passages.
 
I recorded a guy who had one of the rare Walnut Precision Specials - a beautiful bass. I played that bass a little before we got started and the action was too low and/or the strings were too light. Really very little could be done to lessen the fret clank. I offered him one of my [better set up] Precisions to play but he wouldn't. The clank didn't bother him, but I wouldn't have put up with it as a player.

So, any combination of the following should do it...

Raise the action;
Put heavier strings on it;
Play with a lighter touch.
 
I would try a VERY narrow notch filter, and sweep it across the upper register until you narrow in on it. It depends really on the sound you're after, but I wouldn't try to completely eliminate the finger noise, after all the finger is what defines the attack of the notes. Some of the best bass tones I've heard have pronounced finger noise, you just need to find the right spot to sweeten it up a bit. Also, as you are using a fretless, I'm assuming your using flat-wounds or at least half-rounds, right?!?!?
 
Check your technique first. Your picking fingers should be moving fairly parallel to the strings (across the body, not into it). You also don't want to be striking the strings with your fingers, but pushing into them, if that makes sense. I used to really bang at the strings with my fingertips kinda like piano hammers, and had to keep my action extrememly high to avoid miserable rattle. I have a much lighter touch, and much lower action now.
 
It's not mentioned, but you're not using a pick are you? That sometimes can give a nasty click on the strings too.

Most of it is in the right hand, but some of it can be in the left also (not pressing the strings hard enough before you hit the note).

Atterion's suggestions aside, I think it's going to take some serious practice to get rid of it...



Also, sometimes that clicking can be a good thing, in the right song.
 
Rokket said:
Atterion's suggestions aside, I think it's going to take some serious practice to get rid of it...
Click to expand...
Why you little *@?!.... Oh yeah, you're probably right :D Of course if this is a technique problem, practice is in order. One other consideration, you didn't give specifics as to your gear, but obviously if you are using your bridge pick-up and/or you have your tone control wide open, you'll get clicky issues. Try more neck pick-up and roll the tone knob back a hair...it might help.
 
HangDawg said:
Are your strings hitting the pickups? The last bass player I tracked had this problem. Severe clicking.
Click to expand...

Bingo!!!

This causes 95% of the clicking in my experience, especially when you're recording a bassist that plays live a lot but has very little recording experience. It comes down to technique... it's usually quite a departure for the bassist when you ask them to play with half their usual "strength"... tell them that it has to have all the emotion, but without crashing their strings into their pickup pole pieces. Once they try it and listen to the results, most of them will blink their eyes in recognition, and move ahead with the sweetest bass tracks they've ever recorded.

What about the bass players that won't try or don't listen to you? One word : "NEXT"... ;)
 
Atterion said:
Why you little *@?!.... Oh yeah, you're probably right :D Of course if this is a technique problem, practice is in order. One other consideration, you didn't give specifics as to your gear, but obviously if you are using your bridge pick-up and/or you have your tone control wide open, you'll get clicky issues. Try more neck pick-up and roll the tone knob back a hair...it might help.
Click to expand...
Just don't hit me, I bruise easy! :D
 
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