Popping sound on bass guitar

357mag · 12th January 2009

I re-recorded the bass guitar for my song since I got a good used Fender American Jazz Bass now. Anyway when I listen to the playback on some notes there is a slight popping sound when the note is first played. I suspect I may have a setting on my compressor wrong.

Threshold: -24db
Attack: 4.25ms
Release: 220ms
Ratio: 2:1

Any ideas?

bgrotto · 12th January 2009

Comp settings *look* ok...maybe post a clip to see for sure though.

In the meantime, do you think it could be that you're playing too hard, and causing the string to smack off the pickup?

James Meeker · 12th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgrotto

In the meantime, do you think it could be that you're playing too hard, and causing the string to smack off the pickup?

I was thinking that, or the other great 'fun' for improperly set up bass guitars--clanking against a fret that has inched up a little bit.

Have the bass properly set up and see if the problem goes away. If not, at least you've eliminated that as a possibility. Bass needs a proper intonation, setup periodically anyways.....

Waltz Mastering · 12th January 2009

It looks like your you have your threshold cranked. Ease up on that quite a bit and lengthen the attack and any "popping" if it's caused by the compressor should diminish.

TW

bgrotto · 12th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waltz Mastering

It looks like your you have your threshold cranked. Ease up on that quite a bit and lengthen the attack and any "popping" if it's caused by the compressor should diminish.

TW

This could be the case, but the setting of the threshold is relative to the incoming signal, not to mention one compressor's "-24dB" ain't the same as the next.

I wonder how much gain reduction is taking place? That would be a helpful bit of info in determining the problem.

Waltz Mastering · 12th January 2009

Word.

357mag · 13th January 2009

New settings:

Threshold: -12db
Attack: 10ms

Gain reduction hovers around -5db

Sounds a bit better now...

Nothing wrong with the setup on the bass. It was done by my regular guy who is great at this stuff. Too bad his wife died though. No fret buzz. Not hitting pickups either. Bass is rock solid.

12th January 2009	#1
357mag Gear addict Joined: May 2008 Posts: 480 Thread Starter	Popping sound on bass guitar I re-recorded the bass guitar for my song since I got a good used Fender American Jazz Bass now. Anyway when I listen to the playback on some notes there is a slight popping sound when the note is first played. I suspect I may have a setting on my compressor wrong. Threshold: -24db Attack: 4.25ms Release: 220ms Ratio: 2:1 Any ideas?

12th January 2009	#2
bgrotto Lives for gear Joined: May 2005 Location: Slum-a-ville, Mass Posts: 6,311 Verified Member	Comp settings look ok...maybe post a clip to see for sure though. In the meantime, do you think it could be that you're playing too hard, and causing the string to smack off the pickup? __________________ http://www.bennygrotto.com Mad Oak Studio on Facebook Allmusic.com The best bands in New England, performing Live at Mad Oak Discogs.com

12th January 2009	#4
Waltz Mastering Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 2,933 Verified Member	It looks like your you have your threshold cranked. Ease up on that quite a bit and lengthen the attack and any "popping" if it's caused by the compressor should diminish. TW __________________ Tom Waltz www.waltzmastering.com

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13th January 2009	#7
357mag Gear addict Joined: May 2008 Posts: 480 Thread Starter	New settings: Threshold: -12db Attack: 10ms Gain reduction hovers around -5db Sounds a bit better now... Nothing wrong with the setup on the bass. It was done by my regular guy who is great at this stuff. Too bad his wife died though. No fret buzz. Not hitting pickups either. Bass is rock solid.