EQ'ing out guitar string squeek

[trion12]

Hi,

Any advice on how to get rid of annoying string squeek.
I know that 2 obvious answers are to improve technique and to used coated strings, but:
1) I don't like the sound of coated strings
2) My technique is pretty good but there are still the odd instances of string squeek that occur as I like to play with new uncoated strings which are prone to being more noisy . . .

Would putting a notch filter on the offending squeeks be a good way to deal with this without obviously distorting the recording from a listener's point of view? Would having a notch set up very briefly to remove the squeek sound like a transient recording glitch?

Thanks,

Aaron

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

If you aren't willing to change your technique or lubricate the strings, the next best option is to deep-edit the waveforms. Go in microscopically and remove each squeek (or reduce its volume) for each track. Don't try to do this after things have been mixed down--get it in each individual take.

 

[EleKtriKaz]

If you aren't willing to change your technique or lubricate the strings, the next best option is to deep-edit the waveforms. Go in microscopically and remove each squeek (or reduce its volume) for each track. Don't try to do this after things have been mixed down--get it in each individual take.

This is the best way to do it. A bit time consuming, but if you have you're software has a good waveform editor (Cubase is great for this) and you have a decent monitor you should be fine.

I have had to do this before and it pisses me off...I want to turn around and smack the guitar player and tell him to cut it out.

 

[Dani Pace]

If you don't like to lubricate your strings, why not lubricate your fingers? I've discovered that a couple of drops of lemon oil rubbed into the fingertips works wonders to eliminate squeeks, and its good for rosewood fingerboards too. It might be a combination of the oil softening the calluses and the lubricating effect that makes it work but it does work and its cheap and easy.

 

[JohnnyMan]

If you don't like to lubricate your strings, why not lubricate your fingers? I've discovered that a couple of drops of lemon oil rubbed into the fingertips works wonders to eliminate squeeks, and its good for rosewood fingerboards too. It might be a combination of the oil softening the calluses and the lubricating effect that makes it work but it does work and its cheap and easy.

I've done the same with vegetable oil. (I was desperate at the time and it was all I had available but it worked).
Happy Holidays

 

[Farview]

If the squeak is really bad, you could try a multi-band compressor. Just set one of the bands for the offending frequency range and set it with a high ratio, fast attack and release. Set the threshold so it only acts on the squeaks.
In my experience, excessive squeaking come from someone who is not playing the guitar loud enough. It is kind of like singers with 's' problems. It isn't so much that the 'S's are so loud, it's that everything else around it is so quiet.

 

[trion12]

Thanks all for your responses and have a Merry Xmas!
Aaron

 

[fenix]

I've done the same with vegetable oil. (I was desperate at the time and it was all I had available but it worked).
Happy Holidays

I used KY jelly.

 

[Dani Pace]

Ha ha ha, I've even seen guys spray their hand with WD40, I guess desperate needs call for desperate measures.

 

[masteringhouse]

I used KY jelly.

No joke, same here. I was recording an all female group one time and suggested that they use finger-ease to reduce the squeaks on an acoustic track. One of them pulled out a bottle of K-Y and asked if this would be OK? We tried it and it worked fine.

 

[usernamebob]

Try using a de-esser set to the middle the the frequency on the squeak, might not work but it's worth a try

 

[Be Loveless]

A lot of folks, including myself, don't mind squeak one bit. Whether it be a folk tune or some heavy metal. It's nice to hear the squeak. Lets you know that a human being is making that sound. Reminds the non musicians listening that flesh is ripping quickly across thin wires to make these sounds for them. Give the squeak a chance.