Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Noise when I pick or pluck

iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
08/02/2000 1:25 pm
I've noticed a crucial difference between a song on CD or the radio or even live and when I try to recreate it at home. Whenever I pick or pluck a note, you can hear that I'm picking or plucking it (does anybody know what I mean?). When I hear music performed by real musicians, I do not hear that noise - even when it's live on the radio.

What do I have to do to get rid of this noise? Is it a question for the Gear section or the Technique section?

------------------
ok, i'm not really the eggman
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 1


Joined: 04/24/24
Posts: 0


Joined: 04/24/24
Posts: 0
08/02/2000 5:53 pm
quote:
Originally posted by iamthe_eggman:
I've noticed a crucial difference between a song on CD or the radio or even live and when I try to recreate it at home. Whenever I pick or pluck a note, you can hear that I'm picking or plucking it (does anybody know what I mean?). When I hear music performed by real musicians, I do not hear that noise - even when it's live on the radio.

What do I have to do to get rid of this noise? Is it a question for the Gear section or the Technique section?


I think it is because their volume is alot higher than what we might practice, that is just what I think it is. BTW, what is a real musician?


[This message has been edited by robrules (edited 08-02-2000).]
Permalink
# 2
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
08/02/2000 6:12 pm
i don't think so, because when I turn up the volume, the noise gets even more noticeable.

Does anyone know what I am talking about???

------------------
ok, i'm not really the eggman
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 3
jake sommers
High Bandwidth
Joined: 03/09/00
Posts: 442
jake sommers
High Bandwidth
Joined: 03/09/00
Posts: 442
08/03/2000 3:06 am
better stuff used to record, i think it has something to do with the volume level, if i play really loud i can't hear it. what kinda amp are u using?

[This message has been edited by jake sommers (edited 08-03-2000).]
"Take my hand boss"
Permalink
# 4
loner92
Senior Member
Joined: 07/11/00
Posts: 227
loner92
Senior Member
Joined: 07/11/00
Posts: 227
08/03/2000 5:24 am
How thick of a pick do you use?

Permalink
# 5
ekstasis16
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 04/29/00
Posts: 267
ekstasis16
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 04/29/00
Posts: 267
08/05/2000 12:05 am
It's because the noise gets lost in the rest of the band. Whenever you play solo, you'll often hear that noise.
"When you're a young, long-haired guitarist, no one takes you seriously." - John Petrucci

www.erikhagen.net
Web - Photo - Audio
Permalink
# 6
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
08/08/2000 1:54 pm
i use a fender frontman 25 watt, (i think) and a medium width pick.

i don't know how to explain this, but i was talking with my friend a while back and we agreed that music on the radio or CD sounded like the notes were just "there" - there was no picking or percussive noise that would let you know that someone was actually playing the note. when i play on my electric, it's like there's a "chunk" sound accompanying each of my notes.

i'm not sure if you guys get this, i hope what i said makes sense. does anyone else get this sound when they play?

------------------
ok, i'm not really the eggman
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 7
ekstasis16
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 04/29/00
Posts: 267
ekstasis16
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 04/29/00
Posts: 267
08/08/2000 5:49 pm
On recordings, the music is heavily tweaked with EQ and lots of things are going on in the frequencies. That noise gets buried in the sound. Some people thake extra care to hide it, but I've heard the noise on lots of albums. When playing by yourself, it's inevitable. Personally, I play with my fingers now like Jeff Beck to get rid of the noise and have more control.
"When you're a young, long-haired guitarist, no one takes you seriously." - John Petrucci

www.erikhagen.net
Web - Photo - Audio
Permalink
# 8
loner92
Senior Member
Joined: 07/11/00
Posts: 227
loner92
Senior Member
Joined: 07/11/00
Posts: 227
08/08/2000 6:09 pm
Use a heavier pickm try at least a 1.00 mm, I use a 1.30.

Permalink
# 9
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
08/08/2000 7:07 pm
i'm positive that it is not from the pick - i get a similar noise when i pluck with my fingers.

thanks for the reply, erik. i guess i'll just have to suffer and play with my fingers as much as possible. (actually, i do prefer using my fingers.)

------------------
ok, i'm not really the eggman
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 10
spidrmage
Registered User
Joined: 07/07/04
Posts: 1
spidrmage
Registered User
Joined: 07/07/04
Posts: 1
07/07/2004 4:44 am
hold your pick at an angle if you already dont. it gives the least resistance against the string compared to picking it with the pick parallel. you'll hear less of a noise if you pick with an angle. something i noticed too. if i recall, in older recordings of rock bands, i think maybe on this hendrix cd i have, i remember faintly hearing the plucking noise, so i'd just say its technology being used at its best to reduce that noise, i.e. protools :P
Permalink
# 11
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
07/07/2004 1:31 pm
whoa......

major trip down memory lane there.... I think that was one of my very first threads.... :mad:
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 12
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
07/07/2004 1:32 pm
So did you work it out ?
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
Permalink
# 13
TheDirt
Registered User
Joined: 03/28/02
Posts: 569
TheDirt
Registered User
Joined: 03/28/02
Posts: 569
07/07/2004 6:44 pm
I've noticed that over time my pick noise has been greatly reduced except when I'm playing really fast (which isn't often except when practicing). Just getting better at picking has helped. Rather than striking the string with the pick, you can kind of set the pick onto the string, then push the pick through the string, so that the note rings without the harsh pick attack. This sounds like a huge effort that would greatly slow down your playing, but it's really not as complicated as it sounds. Practice this for a while, and it becomes a subtlety in your normal playing, and voila, less noise.

Also, running through a good EQ with a good sound tech can drop out some of the more noise-like frequencies has a big effect, which is why "real musicians" (i.e. - one's with a lot of money) sound better tone-wise.
"You must stab him in the heart with the Bone Saber of Zumacalis... well, you could stab him in the head or the lungs, too... and the saber, it probably doesn't have to be bone, just anything sharp lying around the house... you could poke him with a pillow and kill him."

- Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Universal Re-Monster
Permalink
# 14
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
Dr_simon
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 07/06/02
Posts: 5,021
07/07/2004 7:27 pm
and there was me thinking it was compression ! Sshhesh !
My instructors page and www.studiotrax.net for all things recording.
my toons Brought to you by Dr BadGAS
Permalink
# 15
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
07/07/2004 7:36 pm
But, then, there's that pick noise that BB King or other "dimed" LP blues etc. players get, just a fraction of a second before the note sounds out. It sounds like they're muting a string, then plucking the muted string and the fretted string at the same time. Like in Shine On You Crazy Diamond; the very first note, or some of the others in that intro solo. It adds a really nice dimension to the note; kind of kicking it out there... very blues.
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 16
HDJ
Explanation: Southerner
Joined: 05/10/04
Posts: 1,445
HDJ
Explanation: Southerner
Joined: 05/10/04
Posts: 1,445
07/08/2004 7:24 pm
I get that same sound when I pick a note. I've alway's wondered if it was my technique, but no matter what I did, it's alway's there. That "click" when a note is struck.....it's annoying. I've tried picking at an angle, perfectly straight, less distortion, more distortion, nothing gets rid of it... I'm looking for a solution to this also.
Check out my band:
Havoc Din
Permalink
# 17
finger_cruncher
Registered User
Joined: 03/12/03
Posts: 413
finger_cruncher
Registered User
Joined: 03/12/03
Posts: 413
07/08/2004 11:43 pm
Eggman...

You're using gain/distortion? That'll do it. Turn down the gain/distortion...maybe turn down the highs on your EQ too. Also, try a different pick-up position. If you listen carefully, you can certainly hear the sound of picking on commercially produced music...just not as much.
Permalink
# 18
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
iamthe_eggman
Grizzled Spellchecker
Joined: 05/09/00
Posts: 2,233
07/09/2004 1:59 am
Yeah, I figure it's probably some kind of noise gate, or just the right EQ. Some kind of in-studio tweaking to eliminate it.
... and that's all I have to say about that.

[U]ALL[/U] generalizations are [U]WRONG[/U]

[/sarcasm]
Permalink
# 19
Grassroot
Registered User
Joined: 12/22/03
Posts: 21
Grassroot
Registered User
Joined: 12/22/03
Posts: 21
07/11/2004 9:31 pm
I think I know what you mean. I've been thinking about that too. but as others have said, the "real musicians" have better equipment and that's were the chunk noise disappears.
Permalink
# 20

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.

Register