Pick Noise

you have to keep the pick perpendicular to the strings, as Wes said. Also, make sure you pick THROUGH the string, making it come to rest on the string next to it. This allows for even vibration and lets the pick clear the string. It also makes you put even pressure on the note you're playing, and there won't be any of that click.

I tried re-angling the pick. Well, I don't angle the pick so much as I like the guitar on an angle, but it didn't work. I tried holding the pick how it is in the pick but it didn't work either.

As I said, I tried that and it didn't work.
Does your amp have a "Presence" control? That controls the very high frequencies that mostly are noises from the pick and fingers. Turning it way down will quieten this stuff a good bit.

No, my amp doesn't have that control.
OWA

That could be the sound of your guitar (haven't listened to the clip yet). My Telecaster tends to really stress the high frequencies. So, you get a clicking sound. You can often turn your tone knob down some. The tone knob never adds bass, it only takes away the high frequencies. When at 10, you are getting the max of all frequencies. At 0, you are just getting the low frequencies.

I'll have to try that. But I don't know which knob is for tone, they aren't labelled. Is there anyway to tell? *is sorry for all the questions*

But I don't know which knob is for tone, they aren't labelled. Is there anyway to tell? *is sorry for all the questions*
If you don't already have the manual for your guitar you could try downloading it. I had to do that for mine to determine which controls were which. :oops:

OWA, just turn your knobs, play, and see what sounds different. If you turn one and it gets a whole bunch quieter, that's the volume knob. If you turn another and the sound becomes slightly softer and a good bit less "bright," that's the tone knob. Often there's one of each for every pickup you've got. Of course, if you're playing with heavy distortion, it's hard to tell the effect of the guitar's tone.

OWA, you may need to change the volume on your guitar. Try playing with the volume, on the guitar, at about 2-3-4, no higher and compensate with volume from the amp.

OWA, you may need to change the volume on your guitar. Try playing with the volume, on the guitar, at about 2-3-4, no higher and compensate with volume from the amp.That also will "tone down" the highest frequencies from your guitar a bit.

Also... It depends on where you pick on the strings. If you pick an inch from the saddles youre going to get sharp click noises. If you pick ON The neck you get 0 pick sound but its mellow, so experiment with Where youre picking on the guitar. Even if its not the problem you can get some good alternate sounds.

If you turn one and it gets a whole bunch quieter, that's the volume knob.

I love the insight Ricochet! :lol: I'm learning something new everyday here at guitarnoise.

On a more serious side, how are you recording OWA? Straight to the computer? Or do you use a micraphone?

I use a microphone.

I can't figure out what knobs do what. When I'm using the neck pickup, the knob closest to it and the middle knob makes it louder and the knob farthest from it does nothing. When I'm on the bridge pickup, it's the opposite.

It might be possible your micraphone is too close to your guitar/your amp isn't loud enough, or a combo of both. I had the same problem, and that was what caused it for me. Try moving far away from the mic maybe?

Edit:

Realized I didn't actually make a point: Your picking is being picked up by the micraphone, not really the amp, so you hear it more. Just a possibility.

I use a microphone.

I can't figure out what knobs do what. When I'm using the neck pickup, the knob closest to it and the middle knob makes it louder and the knob farthest from it does nothing. When I'm on the bridge pickup, it's the opposite.

why don't you email Jay Turser? [email protected]
That is the guitar we are talking about isn't it?

well, I used to have this problem and i used too use very thin picks, i went to a thicker pick and made sure i was holding pick right etc and the sound is almost non-existant now. I mean you have to really listen hard to even hear it and even then it sounds more like a ghost note than anything.

Ok, I think I got it. I lowered the pickup and also turned my amp up. That seems to have worked. I think it drowned it out. It's still there, but you have to really listen.

I put a clip on http://owa.dmusic.com/ if anyone wants to listen. Thank you so much for your help. This problem has been causing me a huge amount of frustration.

I'll look into some new picks. Need new ones anyway, I had been using the one so much that I have actually filed down the edge from playing.

Would a Noise Gate help with this at all?

No a noise gate won't help, as the click is happening during the desired sound, so it won't be gated.

The solution is a combination of suggestions made above. How you mix these to decrease your pick clicking -- and also hone your tone is something you will need to work out yourself: Use a thicker pick, angle it so the attack is not flat, and learn to control the picking by having the compliance ("give") in your fingers and wrist -- don't let the pick flex and snap. This is difficult at first, but eventually your speed and control with improve as well.

Would a Noise Gate help with this at all?No. A noise gate only helps with the noise when you're not playing. Instead of fading away into hum, hiss, etc., it suddenly cuts off when the signal falls below some preset level. It's just the same as the "squelch" on a two-way radio, or interstation muting on an FM set. It can't take any noise out of your playing, which is a common misconception.

It's just the same as the "squelch" on a two-way radio, or interstation muting on an FM set. It can't take any noise out of your playing, which is a common misconception.

Squelch! OMG, Ricochet -- you think anyone under 25 has any idea what you are talking about?