How to Fix Buzzing Guitar Strings in Pro Tools

Set Up

• 1). Open Pro Tools. Double-click the desktop icon and wait for it to load. The last edited session open automatically. If this isn't the session with the string buzz, click "File" and select "Open Recent."
  
  
• 2). Play the track and pause it when you hear the buzz. Click on the time navigation bar and drag the cursor left for four bars. This creates a loop of the section so you don't need to keep stopping and starting.
  
  
• 3). Mute each guitar channel in turn to identify the one with the buzz. Click the "M" logo on the channel strip to mute the audio. When the buzz disappears, you can identify the recording with the buzzing.
  
  
• 4). Click the "S" icon on the guitar channel strip. This solos the guitar, muting all other channels so you can hear the sound in isolation to hear the severity of the buzz.
  
  

Equalization

• 1). Click "Tools" and select "Equalization." This tool lets you cut and boost various frequencies. Typically equalization is for enhancing the overall mix, but you can also use to hide problems in the mix , like residual buzz. The equalizer interface opens in a new window, featuring a spectrum analyzer and a series of slider dials.
  
  
• 2). Click on the "ball" in the spectrum analyzer. This is the grid graphic on the right of the interface. Drag the ball around to alter the highlighted frequency. When the string buzz becomes very pronounced, stop dragging the ball. In the box at the bottom of the analyzer, the frequency range where you stopped will be displayed. For example "20Khz."
  
  
• 3). Reduce the gain of the problem frequency range. Move the slider dial governing that frequency to the very bottom. This mutes that particular frequency in the mix.
  
  

Trimming

• 1). Double-click on the guitar audio to open the sample editor. The sample editor displays the audio as a series of peaks and dips, representing volume.
  
  
• 2). Click "View" and select "Zoom In" to expand the sample editor view.
  
  
• 3). Watch the loop repeating for a minute or so until you identify the exact peak that represents the buzz. When it is one-off buzz, the peak is obvious as it stands alone on the guitar audio track.
  
  
• 4). Click on the tool bar on the right. Select "Scissors." Click the cursor either side of the peak to separate that part of the audio from the rest. Then hit delete to remove the buzzing section from the audio.