Guitar string noise! arghh

  • Thread starter Thread starter ecktronic
  • Start date Start date
ecktronic

ecktronic

Mixing and Mastering.
I was recording bass guitar last night and got a nice present tone from the amp and guitar, but when the bas player moved his fingers across the strings there was a loud string squeek.
Anyone else get this problem, and have any ideas on how to combat it?

My set up is Ibanez 5 string active bass guitar into Ampeg tube amp into 4x10 Ampeg cab.

Cheers,
Eck
 
add Flatwound strings to that list.

And I wouldn't worry too much about how the soloed bass track sounds, as long as it sounds good in the final mix. Solo bass tracks often have lots of weird noises.
 
I second a product called "FAST-FRET".

It looks like a shoe polish tube with a sponge on top and you rub the sponge on the strings wich then coates the strings in the liquid. This does a lot to minimise string squeek and also makes the strings feel smoother to the touch.

If you just cannot get the sound right, you can try to put "FLAT WOUND" strings on.

Hope this helps
 
clinton said:
I second a product called "FAST-FRET".

It looks like a shoe polish tube with a sponge on top and you rub the sponge on the strings wich then coates the strings in the liquid. This does a lot to minimise string squeek and also makes the strings feel smoother to the touch.

If you just cannot get the sound right, you can try to put "FLAT WOUND" strings on.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Fast Fret Rocks! I'ts alot better than that spray crap.
'
Another thing you could try is eq'ing out some of the attack in the bass tone. But it would most effective if corrected from the source (bass player making a contious effort and using fast fret.
 
I actually like string noises. In fact I like all the noises associated with musical instruments: string noises, snare rattle, fingerpad noises, squeaky pedals, breath noises and so on. I think they add life to a production.
 
Thanks all.
Fast fret seems like the answer here.
I understand that fret noise can sound good in some mixes but in this mix it sticks out a bit much. Im mixing a heavy rock band. My band actually. :)

Cheers.
Eck
 
the way it sounds in the mix it sounds a bit like a dog is whining in the background...i would definately 3rd the fast fret solution.


(other than that i think that sample audio sounds really solid!)
 
yeah...it aint doing your mix or the song any favours.... Rest of your mix sounds good though.

Not sure EQ will take it away enough.

C
 
laststartoshine said:
the way it sounds in the mix it sounds a bit like a dog is whining in the background...i would definately 3rd the fast fret solution.


(other than that i think that sample audio sounds really solid!)
Click to expand...
lol! Yeah the squeeks are a bit nasty sounding.
Thanks man. I just started mixing the bass guitar and noticed I couldnt get rid of the squeek.
I couldnt work it out as no matter how we EQd the amp, the sound was still there.

Cheers all.
Eck
 
Yeah I forgot about them.
Pretty pricey thougha dn the tone doesnt last as long as they claim it to.

Cheers.
Eck
 
Another vote for fastfret. Barring that, a little compression (3-1) can lessen the noise. I can't listen to your sample since I am on a pc with no speakers so I can't really give any solid advice. I play an ESP 5-string and I use half-wound strings. You still get the punch with less noise. Flat wound strings tend to be a bit too muted sounding for my personal taste.
 
Im not sure what strings the bass has, but they are a few weeks old and they were like $100. Meant to keep their tone for longer, although not coated with any stuff.

Eck
 
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