Volume spikes on slapping

[Shenron]

I am barely starting to some slapping practice. I often get huge spikes when slapping (not popping) especially on empty strings. But I think the action on my bass is pretty high and the neck relief maybe a bit too much (I intend to make another post at some point to ask for help on adjusting those) and it doesn't seem to me that the strings are visibly hitting the pickups when slapping, although I may be wrong. The bass is an active Ibanez with humbuckers that have exposed poles. So I am posting this question under the "technique" forum for suggestions since with such setup it can be just my wrong technique.

Slapping softer definitely helps. Otherwise I can't exactly "pop" softer at the moment, I feel like my popping is a lot more violent than my slapping (certainly something to fix with time) and yet there are no spikes when popping. Is slapping usually much more at spikes risk?

Besides being obviously unpleasant, are the spikes dangerous for the equipment? The mixer and the PA aren't mine and I certainly don't want to damage them.

I noticed that spikes are more frequent and even higher when I play in Rocksmith, the level goes beyond the scale and is clipped, so they are definitely caused by me not by the amplification system.

As I said, I can mitigate the issue by slapping much softer but it doesn't completely go away.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Can you switch the bass to passive mode?
Do you still get the loud pops in passive mode?

 

[Aloe]

a limiter for cutting the spikes is recommended. even if you won't damage the equipment, you don't want to hear them that loud. nobody wants.

also if you need to dig that hard with popping, it might mean, your action is high or the strings are stiff.

 

[Killing Floor]

I bet you hit the strings with more percussive force when you slap or pop than when you finger pluck. Right?
Practice and compressor.

 

[Shenron]

Can you switch the bass to passive mode?
Do you still get the loud pops in passive mode?

I don't think I can switch it off. There's no switch but a knob called "phat eq", and I already keep it turned down to the minimum most of the time.

 

[Shenron]

a limiter for cutting the spikes is recommended. even if you won't damage the equipment, you don't want to hear them that loud. nobody wants.

also if you need to dig that hard with popping, it might mean, your action is high or the strings are stiff.

Yes I definitely think my action is high. But wouldn't lowering the action make it even worse with slapping causing spikes?

 

[smoothbrain]

At issue? I think it's called touch. Practice will reveal how to deal with it. IMHO

 

[Aloe]

But wouldn't lowering the action make it even worse with slapping causing spikes?

if you slap with more precision and less force, it could be the way around. but you still likely would want a limiter for the cases, you'll accidentally hit like too hard.

look at Victor Wooten, for instance, he has crazy low action and light precise touch. Marcus Miller used a crazy low action in 80s, but now prefers it just low, not crazy low.

 

[factory presets]

Yes I definitely think my action is high. But wouldn't lowering the action make it even worse with slapping causing spikes?

If you lower the action you won't have to slap so hard to get the clank on the frets you're looking for. Not hitting so hard should reduce the spikes.

 

[mambo4]

Not a slapper, but all instructional material I have seen says use much lighter touch than you might think is needed.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Yes I definitely think my action is high. But wouldn't lowering the action make it even worse with slapping causing spikes?

Setup as low as the bass permits. This before any other consideration.

Slapping with a light touch, will help with speed. Let the amp do the work!

Keeping the volume level across the various techniques is a priority; rely on a comp/limiter after you have developed your technique to its limit.

 

[Watchootognbout]

If you lower the action you won't have to slap so hard to get the clank on the frets you're looking for. Not hitting so hard should reduce the spikes.

Not a slapper, but all instructional material I have seen says use much lighter touch than you might think is needed.

THIS!

 

[sean_on_bass]

the tendency is to go too hard when you first start the technique. as your accuracy and control increases over time, you will be able to slap quietly or loudly as needed.

 

[SkylineFiver]

 

[XLunacy]

Try slapping closer to the neck, thumb parallel to the strings, above the neck pocket rather than the pickups.

 

[singlemalt]

Sheldon Dingwall put a step by step set up instruction on YouTube.

You want the neck as flat as you can stand it, just a whisper of relief at the 12th when you are holding down on the first and last frets. Light strings and low action. Now, lighten up on the touch, and get economical with your motions.

The loud spikes might be strings making contact with pickup pole pieces. It’s a terrible sound. Once you have set up the strings and action, you might need to lower your pickups.

Last up, a compressor, set right is going to balance loud and soft and help bring out the subtle parts, ghost notes, clicks, and left hand slap.

Check out Mark at Talkingbass.com. Lots of free instruction on slap. Set up a free account and get even more exercises.

Mostly it’s just hours and hours of practicing the techniques correctly. With a drum machine. Start at half the target tempo, and work up.

Have fun!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I am barely starting to some slapping practice. I often get huge spikes when slapping (not popping) especially on empty strings. But I think the action on my bass is pretty high and the neck relief maybe a bit too much (I intend to make another post at some point to ask for help on adjusting those) and it doesn't seem to me that the strings are visibly hitting the pickups when slapping, although I may be wrong. The bass is an active Ibanez with humbuckers that have exposed poles. So I am posting this question under the "technique" forum for suggestions since with such setup it can be just my wrong technique.

Slapping softer definitely helps. Otherwise I can't exactly "pop" softer at the moment, I feel like my popping is a lot more violent than my slapping (certainly something to fix with time) and yet there are no spikes when popping. Is slapping usually much more at spikes risk?

Besides being obviously unpleasant, are the spikes dangerous for the equipment? The mixer and the PA aren't mine and I certainly don't want to damage them.

I noticed that spikes are more frequent and even higher when I play in Rocksmith, the level goes beyond the scale and is clipped, so they are definitely caused by me not by the amplification system.

As I said, I can mitigate the issue by slapping much softer but it doesn't completely go away.

Popping is much louder than slapping. But, you usually pop the higher strings. Low end is a strong set a frequencies. Your low end is what drives amps, sucks volume, blows speakers, and covers up not just your tone, but the rest of your band as well.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Yes I definitely think my action is high. But wouldn't lowering the action make it even worse with slapping causing spikes?

You'll hit your pickups. But, lower your pickups, and that goes away. Then, raise your gain to compensate.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Get a compressor. That evens out your sound

 

[JonathanPDX]

Posting a video of your playing would help give advice on technical issues. It's really hard to pinpoint an issue via text, but with even a simple cell-phone video it may be more apparent what adjustments are needed.