Picking up "finger thump"

[Prancing_pony]

New here but not new to music, allow me to introduce myself, I'm Grant...Prancing_pony on here as in prancing_pony_agency@yahoo.com... Here is my problem/question
I am running my Gilmour bean blossom guitar electric/acoustic guitar through a Peavey Ecoustic 112 out the line out into my Behringer eurorack MX 802A into my computer and I am using KRISTAL...The problem, when finger picking I am picking up the "Thump" caused by me picking the strings. Is the only way around this to Mic instead of going direct???

Inquiring minds want to know...and me too

 

[tourettes5139]

Micing it would probably help with the thumping sound you described, as well as helping you get a better sound in general. IMO, mic'd acoustic sounds a billion times better than DI'd. But it depends on the sound you are going for.

 

[EddieRay]

I have to agree that your results will probably be better with a mic rather than DI. If you have tracks to spare (I'm not familiar with Kristal), do both at the same time and maybe you can get something useable from the blend.

On the other hand, is it that bad? Maybe it won't be so bad in the mix, assuming you're adding other instruments...

 

[Prancing_pony]

Well it is kind of up in the air as to how bad it is. this CD will manily be used as a demo for jobs and I have found over the years that club owners around here DO NOT LIKE cd's with all the bells and whistles, they would rather hear a shity live recording so this CD is more or less a One man one guitar kind of thing (I play solo) sometimes when I listen to the replay the thump which almost sounds like a cardbopard box in the back ground dose not bother me...other times I really notice it.

the Idea of doing two tracks is great BUT...I still have the Thump on the DI track. I have done the two track thing before and liked it, but it was on songs where I was strumming and using a pick, the thump was not there.

I am, just not getting the sound I want from my guitar. Maybe it's my playing, maybe it's my guitar, maybe it's the mix, maybe I am too picky...could that be?

 

[Niimo]

i just started recording so i could be completely full of shit. but when i record any guitars bass and sixstring i like to mic the cab and di. i also place a mic pointed at the strings so i can catch the sound of the pick hitting them or the sound of them being plucked or slapped. then i mix them in underneath the guitar. i especially like this method for bassists that slap and pop alot when they play. but i've recorded for someone twice so what do i really know. does anyone else do this or am i just trying to hard?

 

[dwillis45]

The problem, when finger picking I am picking up the "Thump" caused by me picking the strings. Is the only way around this to Mic instead of going direct???

Are you using a thumbpick or just your thumb? Have you tried different thumpicks including different materials (metal, plastic, etc.) or different dimensions (thick, thin,etc.)? You might also think about alternative right hand damping techniques to improve your tone. The other possibility is to EQ the track focusing on the low end.

 

[Prancing_pony]

Just using my thumbs. I have tried the eq, it helped some and ...well a different technique...like teaching an old dog a new trick..LOL

 

[dwillis45]

You might try reformulating your question and posting over in the Guitars/Basses section. (People hate double posts but if you change the question it's probably ok) Somebody might have a good solution, perhaps a specific pickup that could be added to do the trick or a different type of string. And maybe they'll come up with something unexpected like sticking matchbooks under the bass strings to damp or alter the tone. I think I remember reading somewhere that Leo Kotke used this approach in playing 12 string. Personally, I would teach the old dog some new tricks and try to work with thumbpicks.

 

[Prancing_pony]

I've been playing for over 30 years and have tried thumb picks and see no need for them. I have been recording today with a mic only and that got rid of my problem. Thanks for all of your replys