what effect gives 2 hand tappers such a clean sound?

[Vacume]

when I tap on more then one string at a time i get a bad clanky sound unless i have my left hand muteing the strings as if i was slapping, is there an effect or pedal bass players use when tapping?

[xlows]

A lot of people tie a sock or put a scrunchie at the nut to deaden the strings and prevent that ringing.

[bongomania]

Mostly it's just technique. Some tappers use a fabric-covered elastic band (a "hair scrunchie") around the neck up by the nut to help with muting. You may find that a compressor can help bring up harmonics and keep messy playing at a more consistent level, which can sound "cleaner" in a way.

[Doc Labyrinth]

Originally Posted by xlows

A lot of people tie a sock or put a scrunchie at the nut to deaden the strings and prevent that ringing.

excellent EXCELLENT avatar.



sholmer ******* shabbas.

[bassgod0dmw]

Technique. Muting the strings like you have said as well as being very firm and precise with the taps. It takes some muscle to get the notes to ring out nice and clearly too...

[OhThePeacock]

Technique.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Yup - effects will probably make it worse!

[Jumbotron]

Compression, low action, thinner strings, and, of course, technique will help.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Compression could make it worse by bringing the extraneous noises up to the same volume level as the notes you want to hear!

[SteveC]

I think the effect you're looking for is practice. It's a difficult one to find. It occasionally shows up on eBay.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I think the effect you're looking for is practice. It's a difficult one to find. It occasionally shows up on eBay.

'
Ooh I want to buy some - I hope it's a bargain!!

[Mr. Pickles]

Technique is the most important facet. Having a bass set up with a straight neck and low action will help. You might also want to check out the Chapman Stick, which is an instrument specifically created to facilitate the tapping technique. Lots of stuff on youtube and the Stick Enterprises web-site.

Happy Tapping!

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Compression could make it worse by bringing the extraneous noises up to the same volume level as the notes you want to hear!

You know, that's a good point. For a tapper with technique that "needs improving", an expander would be more of the ticket, not a compressor. But I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement for technique, of course.

[Muckaluck]

I'm no expert tapper by any means, but when I do tap I'll make sure to bring my finger almost under or beside the string as I'm pushing down. I find this gets rid of a lot of 'clack'

[Vacume]

I realize tecnique has alot to do with it, but when I use this really light effect of my tascam bass trainer, tapping with out muteing the strings sounds very clean, so I was just wondering

[bongomania]

I'm just guessing here, but it's possible that the Tascam may be low-fidelity and loses some of the extra harmonic content that you hear without it. So it sounds very clean because it's bad (if my guess is right).

[ehque]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'm just guessing here, but it's possible that the Tascam may be low-fidelity and loses some of the extra harmonic content that you hear without it. So it sounds very clean because it's bad (if my guess is right).

Sound's plausible. Effectswise, i think a compressor helps cut the loud transients if you hit too hard, and a noisegate to cut out the ringing...

Wait, make the the noisegate into the compressor.

But of course, practice would work as well.

[McHaven]

Mainly you'll just want to practice. However, I find tapping with my Small Stone phaser on sounds great too. Not set too heavily, just a very subtle phase.