Getting rid of Guitar Squeeks

I've got a squeeky guitar part. Is it possible to diminish it with eq? I really suck at eq so type and frequency suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

I don't think anything like that will do you any good.

Squeaks are usually the worst on acoustic bronze wound strings...you don't hear 'em on electric as much. Acoustic basses are a nightmare.

Sadly, you'll probably have to redo the part. Tip: Try using Finger Ease on the strings to get rid of some of the squeak.

Frequency dependant compression is your friend. monitor the sidechain and tune in as tight as possible on the most offensive frequencies, set the attack time as fast as you can, and the release almost as fast, use a fairly high ratio, and dial in the threshold so you lose as much as you can without completely destroying the tone.

You can also do some surgical volume automation to aid the Fq dependant comps.

Thanks for the suggestions. I might just redo the part, but I'll definitely try the frequency dependent compression.

Damn, you keep beating me to the punch...

You can reconfigure a de-esser for the "squeak" frequency.

Flat wounds... Really...

If possible, retracking the part is best, watching your technique so you pick your fingers off the strings rather than dragging them. A bit of baby powder on the tips of your fingers helps too.

Another option, if you have Audition, is to use frequency-space editing on the tracks to cut out the squeaks.

If not, you might be able to edit individual squeaks out by selecting the start and end times of the squeak, then using some combo of EQ & sidechain compression on just those time segments where the squeaks occur. That way you avoid butchering up the sound of the whole track.... But it's a hell of a lot more work.

Frankly, I personally lean toward leaving stuff like that in, unless it's supposed to sound pristine and sterile...

But I do like "Finger Slease" too.

So do I but I guess we're not thinking of the same thing

I was just at the 4EverGroup Video Conference last week where I attended one of the Adobe seminars. One of the Adobe reps said (as he was introducing the Audition portion of the seminar) that he was going to show us something that NO other audio editing software could do. He then proceeded to remove various sounds from an individual track...including a door squeak...without effecting the other audio. A lot of Jaws dropped, especially since with audio for video you often don't get a chance to re-track.

Audition is now on my list!

Bear

OK,

Here's what really works good for me and my GTR sqeeky obsest clients ... bounce the part to a new set of tracks ... but ... when you come to sqeek, just pull the faders back several dB to where the sqeek is less notisable or highlight the sqeek and pull it back in automation. It usually occurs when traveling between two chords so it's not like it's in the middle of something important or anything. Also before tracking have the GTR player rub his fingers on the side of his nose to pick up some natural oils.

Hope that helps,

Russ

Nashville

Some nice suggestions all around. I'm not afraid of a few squeeks here and there, but it is a very trebly guitar line and the squeeks just hit a bad frequency that really accentuates them. I was actually thinking that my hands are so dry from winter that a little moisturizer would help and it actually did!

Just to set the record straight...

I'm not a big fan of anything used to spray on the strings. But "Finger Ease" does have its uses.

My buddy Wayne bought an acoustic bass. The squeaks from those huge roundwound bronze strings were all but impossible to cover with any change in technique, and absolutely horrid. Finger ease helped a lot.

The other use is for outdoor summer gigs in humid climates. The neck gets wet from sweat and humidity. Not slippery. Like water. Water isn't slippery, it isn't sticky, but it keeps your hand from sliding where it needs to. Finger ease is the solution.

An excellent bass player that I used to do session work with always carried a bottle of "Corn Huskers Lotion" in his case compartment. He would use a small amount and 'thoroughly' rub it into his hands/fingertips before recording. It worked very well and his parts were always very squeak-free. (Of course, it didn't hurt one bit that he also had excellent playing technique.) Nose and hairline oil can give good results as well, I agree.

Corn Huskers is oil-free and the ingredients are:

Water, Glycerin, SD Alcohol 40, Sodium Calcium Alginate, Oleyl Sarcosin, Methylparaben, Guar Gum, Triethanolamine, Calcium Sulfate, Fragrance, Calcium Chloride, Fumaric Acid, Boric Acid

If you're interested and can't find it locally, it can be found easily online.

HTH,

Rick

LOL. I knew somebody would comment on that. Can't blame you!

It's an old, old product. Barring any atypical allergies, you'd probably be in good "hands". (heh heh)

Here's a site I just quickly pulled up that describes/defines many of the weird and weird-sounding ingredients commonly found in skin goops on the market.

http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter108.asp

Rick