MXR smartgate: was i doing it wrong?

[blue]

was in Glasgow yesterday, and called in to Guitarguitar.  i wanted to try noisgates, specifically the isp decimator G-string and the MXR smartgate. 
they don't have the isp, but they had the smartgate.  so, several cables, a Les Paul studio and a Marshall DSL100 were hooked up. 
we tried it both in the effects loop, and in front of the amp.  through the loop, it was awful!  it didn't seem to do a lot to clear up noise and it completely changed the sound, removing all high end from the sound.  not what i was expecting at all!  so we tried it in front of the amp, and the amp came to life!  it removed a lot of hiss and noise while not seeming to choke sustain or affect attack. 
so, was i doing something wrong when i had it in the loop?  surely the idea is to be able to remove extraneous noise generated in the pre-amp when you have it there?  and i found it very strange that it was transparent in front of the amp, but as clear as coal dust when in the loop.
i know Roo, at least, has an isp, albeit the rack version.  it works both in front of the amp and in the loop, but does it affect the sound like this?  and should the MXR only be used in front of the amp?

any thoughts?

[Toe-Knee]

Did it make the amp bassier?

Chances are the amps effects loop was at a different level and it was clipping the return stage.

I use a smartgate in the loop with no issues.

[blue]

yes, it did make it bassier.  i'm not too familiar with the DSL, but there was a little button beside the loop jacks which i figured must change the loop level.  i pressed it, and it made a little pop noise, but it didn't change the effect the pedal had on the sound.  i do reckon there must have been something done wrong somewhere.  it changed the sound and did virtually no noise reduction.  i didn't wire it in, is it possible the cables were inserted the wrong way around? i know i couldn't see in to read what the little switch said, so i suppose it's possible the guy in the shop couldn't see which socket was which

[FELINEGUITARS]

The MXR smartgate is a reworking of the Tom Scholz Rockman noise-gate
It seems to be designed to work in front of an amp as it doesn't have a loop and will respond to input signal better that way

http://www.jimdunlop.com/files/manuals/M135SmartGateNoiseGateManual.pdf

the Boss Noise Suppressor works well because it has a way of detecting the input directly from the guitar and then opening or shutting off the power amp section by also being in the FX loop of the amp

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Did you at least come home with it?

[blue]

i'd imagine you're right, johnathon.  certainly, barring it being connected up wrong, i found it much better in front of the amp.

Did you at least come home with it?

nope :)  it didn't work as i expected at all.  if i get the chance i'll try it again and see.  i'd be more inclined to go for the isp though.  the problem i have is that, in Northern Ireland it's virtually impossible to find somewhere that has such things in stock to try out

[juansolo]

Decimator you say. I might still have a few boards and chips left... ;)

[blue]

that does sound interesting.  in fact, i'm rubbing my paws together like that black cat :)

wee P.M. sent

[juansolo]

:)

[SrDeMaFp]

That sucks that you didn't get to try the Decimator. That is (IMO) THE best noise gate on the market. Best $100 or so that I've ever spent!

[ericsabbath]

the reaction hush does the job for me
costed around US$55 new
the older versions are quite efficient as well