Controlling pick noise - High gain

[amiller]

I've been doing a lot of recording lately and I notice more pick noise than I like. I took a close listen/look at the cause and discovered that it's my "pre" note attack. When I'm playing a slower phrase (and most of mine are slower ) I notice that I rest the pick on the string of the next note I'm about to hit just before I actually pick it. If the gain is up high there is a noticable "ping" that proceeds the note I'm about to hit. Has anyone else experienced this and how did you correct it?

 

[ashesofphoenix]

I used to do that too haha, and when I was recording a few years ago my buddy who was "producing" the track said something about it and basically said "just stop doing it" lol. I tried like hell to stop, I really don't do it anymore, but he's a pro tools wizard and went thru and fixed everything.

 

[glpg80]

adjust your right hand picking angle - the more of an angle the more of a "pluck" sound you'll get when you use alternate picking.

paul gilbert uses it with a paralleled PAF pro in the neck to get that racer x "pluck" sound on purpose. but if you notice it disappears on his bridge pickup all together and is more fluid - its all in him adjusting what angle he attacks the strings at.

took me a long time to get it right - over a year easily. people were always telling me the same thing in how my picking sounded sloppy like i was rubbing it instead of picking it - the sound was all in the pick noise!

 

[muudrock]

Pick angle and how hard you attack the string. I know I had to really lighten up my attack and that really helped get rid of the chirp.

 

[amiller]

adjust your right hand picking angle - the more of an angle the more of a "pluck" sound you'll get when you use alternate picking.

paul gilbert uses it with a paralleled PAF pro in the neck to get that racer x "pluck" sound on purpose. but if you notice it disappears on his bridge pickup all together and is more fluid - its all in him adjusting what angle he attacks the strings at.

took me a long time to get it right - over a year easily. people were always telling me the same thing in how my picking sounded sloppy like i was rubbing it instead of picking it - the sound was all in the pick noise!

I get what you're saying, but, I don't think it's my actual attack. Instead, it's that I rest my pick on the string a split second BEFORE I actually pick the string. In a way it's like a double attack sound...once when I rest the pick on the string and the other when I attack the note.

 

[amiller]

I used to do that too haha, and when I was recording a few years ago my buddy who was "producing" the track said something about it and basically said "just stop doing it" lol. I tried like hell to stop, I really don't do it anymore, but he's a pro tools wizard and went thru and fixed everything.

Yeah, I use SONAR and I can go into the wave form of the guitar track and surgically remove all of the pre-attack noise but that's way too time consuming. I guess I just have to find a practice method that helps me eliminate the problem in the first place.

It's like learning to pick all over again.

 

[carl roa]

The type of pick you use will also affect the "chirp" factor. So you could try some different picks as well ... For me, the Red Bear has been the smoothest yet.

 

[amiller]

The type of pick you use will also affect the "chirp" factor. So you could try some different picks as well ... For me, the Red Bear has been the smoothest yet.

I'll definitely give the Red Bear a go...thanks!

 

[rottingcorpse]

the only real thing that will fix this problem is for you to change what your doing. a new pick wont stop the noise you get from resting on the note with your pick before actually plucking it. not in a high gain setting.

a question, is sitting on the string your default resting spot? do you normally sit on the string, or is it just that you are trying to be where you need to be before you need to be there?

case in point. my default resting space is above the low E, ready for the downstroke, with my palm muting the whole bridge. now take a look at where you are sitting with your pick when you are not playing. are you already on the string with your pick? if so, this is where you need to change your technique.

 

[rupe]

I have to agree that it is simply a technique issue that even a magical $20 pick won't be able to cure

 

[glpg80]

I have to agree that it is simply a technique issue that even a magical $20 pick won't be able to cure

+1

 

[amiller]

I agree with you guys...it's my technique. I've been doing it for so long without even knowing it. I'm getting the pick on the string just BEFORE it needs to be there...clink. I tried not doing that...man, it's tough for me since I've been playing that way for so long. It's like learning to pick all over again.

Anyway, I am able to go in the the recorded wave form for now and snip out the clinks. It's easy to do 'cause you can clearly see them but it takes a while to get them all. Until I master the new technique I'll have to do that.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

As said it sounds like a technique problem, it may be not as bad as you think for a remedy maybe where you are resting your hand, using to much arm picking, how your holding your pick, something like that. I've found (for my playing at least everyone is different and I mean everyone) I use a thicker pick, and thicker strings 10-52's at least and I get a lot less pick noise I think my picks are 1.5mm or something like that and I don't use a really sharp tip, more of a little softer rounder one. Helps clean up the sounds a lot and a lot less "pluck" when you attack.

Hope that helps.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Picks don't clink. Sounds like you are pressing the strings into the pickup pole pieces. Lowering the pickup may help.

 

[glpg80]

Picks don't clink. Sounds like you are pressing the strings into the pickup pole pieces. Lowering the pickup may help.

or just resting your hand closer to the bridge

 

[eternal_idol]

program a noise gate. and have its threshold just a c hair above the loudest off pluck/rest.

 

[amiller]

Picks don't clink. Sounds like you are pressing the strings into the pickup pole pieces. Lowering the pickup may help.

Well, maybe the word "clink" is not the best word choice for the sound I'm getting. I'm definitely NOT pressing the string onto the frets or hitting the pickup pole pieces. In fact, I've been accused of having too light of a touch if anything.

No, this is just a bad habit I've developed that is an attempt to mute and control the high gain that rings out if the string is not muted. In addition to using my palm to mute, I also use the index finger and thumb that's holding the pick. The problem is that it makes noise as my finger/thumb tip and the pick hit the string to mute it. I need to stop doing that and just use my palm instead.

 

[amiller]

program a noise gate. and have its threshold just a c hair above the loudest off pluck/rest.

Hey, that's an interesting idea. When I play live I use my G-Force for reverb, delay and to gate unwanted noise. When I record, with the exception of an OD, I always turn off all FXs including the G-Force and just go straight into the DAW. I have to give the gate a try. If it works I can use that method at least until I get my picking technique corrected.

 

[amiller]

Nope, the gate idea didn't work for me. The amps volume and gain are just too high for the gate to be effective in masking out the "pings." The noise only happens when I'm playing a staccato type of lead with mutes after each note. Back to working on the technique cure approach.