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Minimising string-squeak when recording acoustic guitar?

wailingmiserere	Date: March 4, 2007 @ 10:48 PM I'm currently doing a lot of recording of my acoustic guitar playing. Whilst I'm very happy with mic placement and the actual tone of the guitar, the string-squeaking is really distracting and I was wondering if anyone knows of any handy tips or tricks for minimising this? I've tried a lo-pass filter but I can't figure out the best way of using it without completely deadening the tone of the guitar. Any advice would be appreciated!
hate9wicket	Date: March 4, 2007 @ 11:27 PM I deal with this every single time I record, cuz I only have an acoustic, I've tried editing the really bad squeaks, but then gave up because I would literally be spending hours on a 3 minute song doing that. I dunno, maybe applying fastfret often, maybe rub some ethyl alcohol on the fingers. Using a capo to minimize those transitions. Perhaps some compression notching out the highest only a dog could hear freq could help.
leedsquietman	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 12:26 AM try reducing high end EQ (7-10 Khz) a few db and use a de-esser. (Charles Dye a top studio mixer recommends this approach) some string squeaking should be OK though as that is a natural element of playing a guitar...
evansorchid	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 6:08 AM What is a de-esser, Leeds? I've done exactly what 9wicket doesn't like to do...that is, edit out the offending squeeks with your digital audio software. But it might be difficult to create a clean unnoticable edit if the acoustic guitar is your only instrument in the mix. I'll be curious to see what others will say to this.
Opossum	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 8:08 AM I agree with leedsquietman here. You can also try to notch it out, and there is a plug-in that actually removes certain ranges, called Bugpass, but the version I have is a bit buggy, haha.
ndstgmoe	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 6:03 PM De-essers basically cut the frequency where most sibilance occurs. There are presets in a lot of EQ and compression plugins for de-essing, but its pretty easy to find those ugly harsh frequencies - just use a skinny bandwidth and sweep through the high end with +12db or so until you find the offending frequencies and then notch 'em out. As for guitar squeeks, listen to some Elliott Smith. When I first heard him, I thought the string noise was way too much, but after listening for long enough, it became part of the sound and I would miss it if it went away... But I don't really know how drastically loud it is for you - a smaller arrangement might make it a bit more distracting. Different strings might help as well, but I can't recommend anything.
HenriRoger	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 6:34 PM You could also work with your left hand only on the fret board for a while . Get more pressure with your fingers and a better movement for the chords or notes you change .Very slowly , detect the noises , try to find the right position and pressure . The sound will get better in a natural way
Distilled1	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 7:10 PM I use Finger ease but yes ndstgmoe is right it should be there if it is just too much, HenriRoger has the true solution, you need to learn to pick up every finger from the strings at each change. And that is a hard task to accomplish as it is so easy to slide your fingers to the changes. Now certain changes require a slide and should have the squeak in it lets here some of your recordings and see how they are coming out.
wailingmiserere	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 7:17 PM Thanks for all the replies! Listening back to what I've done, I think I've made the common mistake of focussing in on the details and ignoring the bigger picture. I'm planning on including other instruments, and vocals too, so perhaps I should wait until everything's in and then decide how obvious the squeaking is in relation to everything else. Might attempt using a de-esser though, that hadn't occurred to me...
Distilled1	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 7:18 PM just watch the de-esser they can kill freq you want very easily
leedsquietman	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 9:15 PM A De-esser is a type of compressor designed to reduce sibilance, it is very frequently used for vocals but also suits this purpose. Like Distilled said, use with caution, but it can help if used judiciously.
leedsquietman	Date: March 5, 2007 @ 9:36 PM Yes, the more instruments in the mix, the smaller the audio footprint should be, you will probably find the guitar sounds a lot better as part of the mix rather than soloed. Getting a solo acoustic guitar and vocals to sound 'big' and good is one of the most difficult things to do in sound engineering... btw Bobby Oswinski[s [Mixing Engineer's Handbook\| also recommends use of a de-esser set to a higher frequency range and some cut at 9-10 Khz.
gtr1960	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 3:11 AM practice ..under the mic more.. you'll eventually get the squeaks down to a decent level.. mic placement has a lot to do with it. and when sliding try to use the fleshier part (side of the finger). it takes some concentration to do also (mentioned earlier) lift fingers all the way off the strings for some of the changes will help. The using fleshier part is right out of the Christaphor Parkenings (sp) classical book two. also some condenser mics have a boosted high end that tends to bring out the squeaks look for a warm mic with the high end more level.
gtr1960	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 3:54 AM I guess I should look at the dates on these old threads....duh
ChillinBuzz	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 6:23 AM It would be a good idea
BOWILLIE	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 8:35 AM yes..finger ease works great..three dollars a can..spray it on..slipnslide
hantu	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 9:59 AM string squeak
ChillinBuzz	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 10:12 AM play with a pick, not a mouse?
realgtrhero	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 10:15 AM new strings may help a little becase they are smoother, theres also finger loob, ive never tried it but if u need to u should drive
realgtrhero	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 10:15 AM *u should try
NickSawyer	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 11:06 AM I agree with Hantu, I really like the sound of fret noises. And besides, then you know it's real, and midi. Ever heard "this is the way I live"? The fake midi squeaks... are fake midi squeaks. Keep the real ones
Tattoomom	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 2:18 PM When Bill plays acoustic, I actually enjoy some of the "string sounds" that come from movement along the strings...to a certain degree I think they enhance acoustic songs...
gtr1960	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 4:28 PM me too I believe there should be the live feel to the guitar.. I just play and don't worry about the squeaks and noises.. If you start thinking about string squeaks and that kinda stuff your probably not concentrating on making it "musical" I leave all the junk in the mix ...Listen to Early Morning Jam (spam) and you can hear squeaks, spots where i hit the guitar and bump the guitar against the chair arm..
fredmiller	Date: August 29, 2007 @ 7:05 PM Pricey but effective in munimizing squeak Elixir® Strings with original POLYWEB® coating… Have a balanced tone and smooth response Feel comfortably smooth and reduce finger squeak http://www.elixirstrings.com/products/product_acoustic.html