pick noise

[polarity]

I've tried changing positions and volume and everything I can think of but I still hear the clicking of my pick during my recordings. Is it just changing the way I play to make that go away or is there something I'm missing that helps to get rid of that noise?

 

[miroslav]

Post up a link demonstrating the pick noise so we can hear it.

 

[polarity]

not at the house where I could post, but it's the sound of the pick touching the pick gaurd mostly that stands out.. I can deal with pick on strings sound... probably just another part of shoddy playing, it's funny the sounds that seem hidden until you start micing up the guitar

 

[Brother Rob]

How are you micing the guitar? I am assuming this is an acoustic. Go to the "Acoustic Guitar Recording 101" thread for an amazing overview. I'd have to guess, however, that this likely falls into the realm of "Playing Techniques" rather than "Recording Techniques"

 

[Steenamaroo]

Are you compressing? If there's pick noise, then that's a surefire way to shine a big light on it.

Other than that, it really comes down to playing technique, and micing technique.

 

[polarity]

Well I still don't have a SDC mic so I'm just using my LDC, I've tried a few different places so far.. The 12th fret, behind the sound hole, up the fret board a little more. When I play the sound doesn't even seem audible but I can hear it in the playback every time. I just need to work on technique. thanks for the info

 

[miroslav]

not at the house where I could post, but it's the sound of the pick touching the pick guard mostly that stands out.. I can deal with pick on strings sound... probably just another part of shoddy playing, it's funny the sounds that seem hidden until you start micing up the guitar

Mmmm....I can see the occasional random brush-up of the pick on the pickguard...but honestly, if you are hitting with most strokes, then you need to work that out before trying to find a way to "take it out" of the overall signal going into the mic.

I sometimes will lift my picking hand off the bridge where I may be resting it at times, and if I don't pay attention, I can easily cause the lower strings to sound from the lift/rub when I am playing a bit harder on my electrics...and that does certainly get into the mics along with the notes...so it's just a matter of avoiding it...which is what you need to work on with the pickgaurd...IMO.

 

[polarity]

It's not a constant thing, but definately more than I should be doing it. I think they hit it dead on with sloppy playing, it's never been a sound I've heard so I havent made any adjustments in the past. Now I know it's a problem and one that I can fix easily. Pay more attention should do the trick haha

 

[polarity]

Oh and yes Steeno, when using compression it was definately WAYYY more noticeable.

 

[grimtraveller]

it's the sound of the pick touching the pick gaurd mostly that stands out..

I'd have to guess, however, that this likely falls into the realm of "Playing Techniques" rather than "Recording Techniques"

it really comes down to playing technique,

I just need to work on technique

but honestly, if you are hitting with most strokes, then you need to work that out before trying to find a way to "take it out" of the overall signal going into the mic.

If there ever was a question that contained it's own reply, it was this one !
I'm a terrible one for hitting the pick guard when I play acoustic guitar. Funnilly enough, it rarely comes through on the recordings although it can sometimes be heard. I've had to adjust the way I play in order to avoid it. I'm a somewhat cack-handed player but I can never understand how I come to hit it in the first place. The guard is so far below the strings and I shouldn't've been striking the guard. It was even worse on the mandolin {really had to make the effort there} but oddly, never a problem when playing electric guitar.