removing finger "squeaks"

[gibsonsgharp]

I have heard some on this forum talk about removing finger "squeaks" from guitar tracks (I realize there are some squeaks I may want to leave in for realism and artistic reasons , especially acoustic, but let's say I have some I want to get rid of...). How do you all do that?

I have used the delete function to "chop out" some breathing sounds on harmonica & vocals but it seems that "erasing" the squeak on a guitar track might take some wanted sound out along with it..........

My "guess" is with some sort of EQ cut,,,, ??? but how?.........

So, to all of you who already know how to do this..... can you save me some experimentation time?

 

[dintymoore]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that everyone will say there's no way to do it and you need to redo the gtr tracks or live with it.

Just my guess because I don't know of anyway but logically how could you eq them out without screwing up the sound you want to remain?

 

[witzendoz]

Hi,

If I have to remove finger squeaks there are 3 methods I use (try). The one I pick is the one that works best at the time and for that particular recording.

1) Using a parametric eq notch out the offending frequency, being careful not to destroy the guitar sound.

2) Using a de-esser or a compressor with a eq side chain, set the de-esser to act hard and quickly on the offending frequencies, again being careful not to destroy the guitar sound.

3) Go through the wave and reduce the volume of every squeak, very time consuming but does work, and I have had to do this to save a performance.

Another thing to remember is that if you are adding reverb, do the squeak removal before adding reverb. The reverb will highlight the squeaks, but buy adding a little after the above treatment it can help disguise what you have done to some degree.

Using method 1 or 2 also requires a lot of patience and experimentation.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[Washburn100]

Hate to say it, but the best answer is to not record them in the first place. There are a lot of tools in the digital world, but unlike CSI, there is still a limit. You should know when you set levels if the squeaks are too much and adjust then. Change mic positions or clean and oil your strings.

 

[witzendoz]

Hate to say it, but the best answer is to not record them in the first place. There are a lot of tools in the digital world, but unlike CSI, there is still a limit. You should know when you set levels if the squeaks are too much and adjust then. Change mic positions or clean and oil your strings.

All true, you should try not to record the squeaks. However if someone has just played the piece of their lives and there are squeaks, try telling them they have to do it again, or if it was a live (gig) performance and it is not going to happen again what do you do then.

I have also recorded pieces that due to the neck positions and chord structures it is extremely hard not to have a squeak or 2. I have also tried hard to eliminate squeaks in the past with oil, talcum powder, everything, and it does not always eliminate the problem, it just makes the guitar player frustrated that they can't get on with it.

My suggestions are in the event that it can't be done again or the player refuses to do it again.

Cheers

Alan.

 

[acidrock]

All true, you should try not to record the squeaks. However if someone has just played the piece of their lives and there are squeaks, try telling them they have to do it again, or if it was a live (gig) performance and it is not going to happen again what do you do then.

I have also recorded pieces that due to the neck positions and chord structures it is extremely hard not to have a squeak or 2. I have also tried hard to eliminate squeaks in the past with oil, talcum powder, everything, and it does not always eliminate the problem, it just makes the guitar player frustrated that they can't get on with it.

My suggestions are in the event that it can't be done again or the player refuses to do it again.

Cheers

Alan.

Wasburn100 is giving the best answer possible,but next time you record maybe try different mic positions that don't accentuate the squeaks as much.
Back end fix ups are usually compromises.You may be able to remove squeaks,but you'll probably be losing something else along with it.