Guitar shuffling problems

[bagnall]

I've been recording new material lately kind of old rock n roll / blues kind of stuff. I'm used to recording with distortion / heavy rock and metal. So when im recording without distortion and such I've noticed I keep geting the sound of fingers shuffling on strings. ive tryed many things different types of clean sounds. reverb no reverb. different mixture of tones. and I still can't 100% avoid this. tryed different playing styles. using same fingers, using alternate fingers. and I can't for the life of me get rid of it. my guess is maybe im using the wrong kind of strings for this. as ive tryed old and new strings of the same type and newer strings give bring out the shuffling worse. I dont mean every note has this but every now and again so it spoils the recordings.

I would be very greatful of any useful tips or ways to avoid this or help minimize it even more. maybe im missing some kind of process somewhere.

[rld]

Are you referring to finger squeaks?
Personally I think its OK to leave them in unless of course its so loud it's distracting.
Kind of gives some character to the sound.
I think the only way to avoid them would be to lift your hand instead of sliding.
Maybe post a clip so we could hear?

[cardell]

This happens to me on the bass too.

I had to change my technique slightly to reduce it...but it still happens a bit. I actually don't mind it if it's only a little because you can hear that I'm playing a real bass guitar.

Stuart

[rld]

Yeah...a lot of guitar sample sets add the squeaks back in for more realism.

[elser]

It's a combination of lifting your left hand fingers off the strings and using your right hand or both hands to mute any ringing strings which will be a consequence of lifting your left hand. It can be frustrating, it's something that is focused on in classical guitar where it's not acceptable. Something like Finger Ease lubricant can also help. You can also edit the squeaks out later in your recording software.

[mazz]

Compression will tend to make the squeaks louder as well, so watch how much you're using if you're using some.

[rld]

I think of finger squeaks as similar to breath noise preceding and/or after a vocal line.
You can edit them all out, but the vocal ends up kind of flat and sterile sounding.
Having just the right amount adds a nice touch.

[elser]

I agree they can be like breath noise and sound good, or they can be like a P or an S which, as Mazz says, when over compressed sound bad. It helps when editing them out to use a device like a cross fade to help make them sound more natural.

[Kolstad]

GHS Fast Fret, works wonders..
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FastFret/

[davekershaw]

I've not tried Fast Fret, but I was disappointed with Finger Ease.
It didn't reduce my squeaks at all.

The one method I eventually did find to work was to soak my fingers
in warm water for half a minute or so, then dry them.
It lasts a couple of takes, and I keep a mug of warm water and a towel handy
for re-soaking before subsequent takes.

Try it. It really works, and it's cheap!

I do agree that some squeak can enhance a track.