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Getting rid of the string 'clank' when recording

Julian G

Julian G

Mar 16, 2017
459
630
Dubai
#1
Like a lot of folk we're restricted at the moment to any social gatherings so there's a few collaborations been going on between different musicians that I jam with. So I'm getting some requests to record some bass lines for various songs.
Ok I have a Scarlett Solo and I'm using Cakewalk, did start off with Audacity but was getting a lot of issues with it.
Now the problem I'm having is that the strings on my active Jazz bass are 'clanking' against the frets. In a live situation and running the bass through and amp/speakers it sounds fine. I'm going through a Spectradrive into the Focus Scarlett, so is there anyway I can set things up to minimise this 'clanking'. The action is not particularly low and I don't want to raise it, through I'm not sure if that would resolve the issue. (I appreciate that clanking may not be a particularly technical term but I hope you understand my issue)
 
#3
seamonkey said:
Ir most likely won’t show up in a mix. It’s nothing to worry about. You are probably not hearing live because the speakers are not directly on your ears as headphones, or at ear level as in desktop monitors.
Leave it alone, it’s easy to deal with in the mix.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply and apologies if I'm being a bit dumb, but how do I deal with it in the mix. When I record the 'clank' is there.
 
#5
I had posted a similar thread some days ago. The best that I can ascertain is that a few of my nut slots are cut too low. When I hold down the 3rd fret there isn't any clearance at all on the 1st fret, which tells me that whoever cut the slot was too aggressive. Perhaps that's the cause with your bass as well? I know it doesn't address the recording aspect, but if you solve one you'll probably solve the other, no?
 
#8
Julian G said:
Like a lot of folk we're restricted at the moment to any social gatherings so there's a few collaborations been going on between different musicians that I jam with. So I'm getting some requests to record some bass lines for various songs.
Ok I have a Scarlett Solo and I'm using Cakewalk, did start off with Audacity but was getting a lot of issues with it.
Now the problem I'm having is that the strings on my active Jazz bass are 'clanking' against the frets. In a live situation and running the bass through and amp/speakers it sounds fine. I'm going through a Spectradrive into the Focus Scarlett, so is there anyway I can set things up to minimise this 'clanking'. The action is not particularly low and I don't want to raise it, through I'm not sure if that would resolve the issue. (I appreciate that clanking may not be a particularly technical term but I hope you understand my issue)
Click to expand...

I can think of four possible fixes. Strings, setup, technique, EQ.

The type of strings you use and how old they are effect clank. If the bass is not setup properly then you tend to get extra fret noise, and it more complicated than simply how high the strings are. Both left and right hand technique can effect the amount of clank. You can definitely mitigate clank with EQ or an LPF. I like extended highs, but not a lot of clank a fret rattle, so I prefer amps and speakers that have a bit of a dip around 3-4khz. Also some my amps seem to have a bit of light compression in this range. You could simply roll off the highs on your bass.

As has been mentioned, it may not actually be a problem in the mix due to something called masking. Basically if there are multiple sounds in the same frequency band, you only perceive the loudest. So at the very least the clank will probably be less obnoxious in the mix.
 
#9
Instead of discussing recording gear, I'd prefer point out some bass technique items on this subject.

A long time ago, I got fired from a really good jazz band for too much "clanking". I had to consider the issue and revise a few things with the way I played bass:
- Unlike a Stingray, a Jazz Bass with medium action should not clank. That's why I think it is more of a technique issue
- Playing with fingers more perpendicular to the strings is the most important. I think the perfect angle to attack the strings can be seen if you look at Jaco playing bass. The way you anchor your thumb makes a big difference.
- Softer touch: It is always better to crank up the level and learn to play with a soft touch instead of hammering the strings like a madman. I once read an interview of Bill Wyman on this matter and that's how I started doing it. Then I realized that my idol, Aston Barrett had the same approach: soft touch higher volume.
- Playing closer to the bridge on the sweetspot usually prevents clanking. I am mostly a reggae player now and I actually play close or above the neck 90% of the time. But I also play with a soft touch so no clanking
- Obviously regular gauge 105-45 strings tend to clang a lot less than a light gauge 100-40 strings.
 
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#10
Some interesting replies and I think before I do anything else with the equipment the software or the bass I need to be more aware of my technique, particularly my right hand.
Gotta love Talkbass; good advice and so much to learn.
 
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#11
I'm currently going through the process of trying to figure out the best way to prevent/eliminate string noise while recording. In my case it's not just a matter of fret noise but of unwanted string sound in general (thumps, sliding, etc.). The first thing I've looked at is the elimination of any unnecessary hand movement (both left and right hands). This can be difficult for me because when I get into the music my hands wants to move. Another thing is to look carefully at the fingering of my lines. Is there another fingering option that would result in less string noise? Also, how's my actual fingering? Am I unnecessarily hitting, for example, the G string with my fretting hand when fingering a note on the D string (thereby creating a clank on the G string)?

The bass and string types definitely make a difference, but even a passive Fender Jazz with old flats can get clanky. The basses I typically play are active with steel roundwounds. Probably the worst combination for noise. If you don't mind the slight muffling effect you could try placing some foam under your strings at the bridge. This might not help with string clank but it might help reduce other unwanted noise.

How much the "clank" will be masked will depend partly on how loud your bass is in the mix and where the "clanks" are occurring. If the clanks occur only when you are playing notes then you are probably less likely to hear them when your bass is placed in the mix (assuming that your bass is not up-front mix-wise). I tend to have more of a problem with noise in-between notes and this noise is not always masked as well as I'd like. There may be a way to deal with this using something like the Izotope RX-7 plug-in but I haven't personally explored that avenue yet. What I'm looking at now is either cutting out the offending soundwave completely or changing the soundwave (flattening it). I'm not sure if either of those possibilities exist with the software you're using but they very well might.
 
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#12
I've done a fair bit of recording, and my approach is to be more aggressive with the right hand to ensure the notes are played strong and clear. This puts the level of the played notes much louder than any extraneous noise created between the notes, in effect, creating a larger signal to noise ratio. I find playing softer exacerbates the noise, and using compression makes it even worse.
 

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