Effect to reduce string noise

[iTzPrime]

Okay, this is the second reference I've seen. @BasementWarrior mentions cutting in the 1k-3k region.

Riis

I sometimes mix for bands. When they are metal i boost 2k as the string noise makes the bass cut through the mix better. In country they hate string noise so i got a big dip at 2k

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Turn down the tone knob. Also work on your fretting hand technique

 

[kevindahl]

This is as good a place as any for me to say this....
I like the string noise...
I've had this discussion with other musicians, but I kinda like hearing those sounds between notes. Some players seem to leave more of it in on recordings. Phil Lesh for example.
I like to call it " hearing their fingers".
Maybe it's because I'm a bass player, but even to a layman it says " this is being played on a bass guitar ".
I wouldn't want it to be so prominent as to be distracting....but without it, it might as well be a synth...right?

I totally agree, it's what makes the instrument and player human. Most recordings in the last 20 years have become so "perfect" that it is incredibly unorganic and sterile.

Gimme the fret noise, slight temp changes and some breaths from the singer.

 

[Thumb n Fingers]

I don’t understand why people say the only reason you hear string noise is because of poor technique. Your fingers are on the strings. To play different notes, you have to move your fingers. There’s going to be transitional noise when you move your fingers.

What else are you supposed to do?

I mostly agree with this. There's going to be some finger noise no matter how wonderful your technique is. Now, I also understand that a better technique of completely lifting fingers when shifting will eliminate unnecessary string zing occurring from not completely lifting fingers, and instead dragging them along the strings.

Tone knob, LPF, EQ are all good options to help attenuate that string sound also.

 

[Thumb n Fingers]

a little talcum powder will do the trick

This works, but I have found that talc powder tends to quickly kill the liveliness of your strings if you're playing any bright round wounds. If that doesn't bother you, great. It drives me nuts, however, as I strive to keep my strings as bright as possible for as long as possible.

 

[bbh]

A lot of the string noise will be covered by other instruments in that range. As the sound mixes with the others it actually might be a nice mesh.
If you really want to get rid of the noise, I only know of a few options.
EQ simply bring down the frequency range that bugs you
Low pass filter. Cuts the highs off at a user specified frequency.
Tone knob on the bass is a powerful tool in itself.
1/2 round stings. A bit less noise due to the wrap.
Best choice is relearn how to play. It would only take a couple of months. Not changing anything you do except how you slide around.
Cleanliness is great but noise and slop create a vibe. Your string noise might be considered a vibe and part of your sound.
I recently did a track sloppily and they loved it. Been loosing my chops due to not playing much.

 

[bearfoot]

If it's an ensemble piece, that noise is far less a worry.

If the strings are new, the noise will reduce as your DNA gets impacted into the windings.

I've only ever had this problem with new strings, and I use EQ, not a filter.

 

[James Collins]

I mostly agree with this. There's going to be some finger noise no matter how wonderful your technique is. Now, I also understand that a better technique of completely lifting fingers when shifting will eliminate unnecessary string zing occurring from not completely lifting fingers, and instead dragging them along the strings.

Tone knob, LPF, EQ are all good options to help attenuate that string sound also.

It's really not always possible to lift your fingers all the way off the strings.

 

[Wfrance3]

I had a Broughton HPF+LPF for a while. Turned out that our church has that built in, and I didn’t know it, but that’s another story. Anyway - there may be a more economical way to kill string noise, but I do know one of those little red boxes will do it for sure.

 

[Thumb n Fingers]

It's really not always possible to lift your fingers all the way off the strings.

I don't disagree. There's always going to be exceptions to what is physically possible. Minimizing how much you have to is the where the technique element comes into play.

I don't think an achievable overall goal would be to 100% eliminate string noise. But reducing as much as you possibly can through any combination of the suggestions offered that you can live with should be.

And like other posters have noted... likely you'll be the only one that really notices just how much zing there is in any mix anyway.

 

[Chrisk-K]

String noise is a part of the sonic landscape when you use rounds. Listen to recordings of any virtuoso classical guitarists, and you'll hear string noise.

 

[BuffaloBass]

Maybe its just me, but one tell tale sign of strings going dead, other than a "flatarse" B string if your a 5'er, is excess, particularly noisy strings and fret noise. Worse than when brand new. So maybe freshen up? Sort of silly to make comments on technique without physically seeing you play ALTHOUGH, proper fret hand position for dampning is critical for 5-6 string play. so maybe its technique....or its the "zing of near death" as it oft is for my wires.....

 

[StatesideRambler]

I don’t understand why people say the only reason you hear string noise is because of poor technique. Your fingers are on the strings. To play different notes, you have to move your fingers. There’s going to be transitional noise when you move your fingers.

What else are you supposed to do?

“To play different notes, you have to move your fingers.”
Quite right but do you “have to” drag your fingers along the string? If you lift your fingers slightly off the string or at least ease finger pressure when you shift positions you’ll almost eliminate the noise. That’s where practice (scales and etudes) come to the fore. If string squeaking is common in your playing you need to work on your technique. For excellent scale practice I recommend Diatonic Major and Minor Scales for Electric Bass by Damon Mazzocco. It’s small and it’s among the best money I’ve ever spent on music books.

Even classical maestros like Christopher Parkening and Sharon Isbin occasionally squeak a position shift but they know how (and are willing) to practice to eliminate it.

 

[iiipopes]

One, more, or all of the following: flatwounds, a bit of foam under the strings at the bridge, roll off the tone control a couple of numbers, practice lifting the fretting hand, damping the strings with plucking hand fingers or palm before moving the fretting hand to the new fret or position.

 

[Blue]

not read anything above, the answer is CLEAR: Adjust your fingering and movement. BOOM.

 

[JRA]

is it even possible that some of the "noise" is being generated by obsessiveness? i hear string noise all of the time --- famous recordings --- and it's part of the performance...part of the charm! big whup!

 

[Bassamatic]

I had a bass with a piezo bridge pickup that truly sounded like a standup bass, but the piezo picked up tons of finger noise - too much - so I sold it.
I've measured my fingering noise at around 2 kHz - a notch filter there would help, and it is above most bass frequencies so you won't notice it. It seems that most bass EQ pedals don't go that high. I have REALLY tried to change my technique to reduce this, but it is very difficult.
BTW - a compressor would make it much worse!

 

[dkelley]

different strings, turn down passive tone control (possibly all the way - if the cap is right and the pickup has the right tone, a totally turned down passive tone control turns roundwound strings into faux flatwounds, with a mid bump and treble cut that's really sexy).

And/Or work carefully on your playing technique to try and find out what is causing the string noise and try not to do that thing any more

 

[Bass Jones]

Yet another reason why I never change my strings!

 

[mcnach]

I don’t understand why people say the only reason you hear string noise is because of poor technique. Your fingers are on the strings. To play different notes, you have to move your fingers. There’s going to be transitional noise when you move your fingers.

What else are you supposed to do?

+1

While technique will go a long way to reduce noise, no doubt, it'll never eliminate it entirely and I really do not see what's the big deal with avoiding using tools to make your life easier. In fact, it seems weird to me to purposefully avoiding using a tool that you know will help you achieve your goals.Maybe they get a gold star to put on their lapels or something?