Gates and things that make no sound

[Keven]

So i've finally ripped my gt-10 out of my rehearsal rig's signal chain for a 100% analog route. hooray

i miss two things out of my gt-10. the switching ease, and the noise gate, as i've got no stomp box gate.

my rig isn't really noisy though, i run a tube screamer into my amp's clean channel, set the volume at max and the gain on the pedal rather high too (the amp is totally clean when the screamer is bypassed, and is a firebreather when the screamer is on) and it's still fairly quiet and not feedbacky at all. so my gating needs are purely for the moments between songs and such, as my chugging muting technique isn't a problem so i don't need the gate for brutally pounding cuts. just to cut the noise level in between songs and such.

i currently use my pitchblack for that but it only mutes the signal from the guitar, when the screamer is on there's a bit of hiss and it gets on my nerves.

i know there are pretty much 3 ''accepted'' stompbox gates on the market. Boss NS-2 (i used to have one, sold it, may have to buy one back, who knows?) the mxr smart gate (can't seem to find a decent review) and the ISP decimator (well known, but i can't buy it through the store i work at and i'd rather do that, i'm sure you guys can relate encouraging your own workplace)

my idea is pretty much this:

get the NS-2 and set it between my preamp and poweramp so it cuts the noisy at the PA.

another silly idea is to set the pitchblack between the preamp and poweramp... but i dunno, it may be a cheap way to get things done for the use i have of the ''gate''

ideas?

[Denim n Leather]

I like the idea of using the tuner as a hard gate, but I think it may get confusing. I would use a gate, for sure.

[Keven]

the ns-2 has a loop too so i can put my tube screamer in the loop so it cuts noise from my dirt pedals, and i can also cut noise from the pre to the pa. but with the noise cut from the TS my amp itself is pretty quiet since it's set clean. so i could simply put the gate between the amp the the screamer. the tuner idea would do the same thing. but

a) i would need to turn off the screamer and all effects to tune
b) i would need to press a button to mute. i'm a guitarist. i already have enough buttons to press while playing!

so i guess for my needs, just get the cheapest most efficient gate. as long as it's not a behringer :)

still, curious, the smartgate has always intrigued me, but i've never stocked one in the shop nor ordered for a customer.

[Alex]

I use the NS-2 and am quite happy with it. It's better than the Rocktron Hush Pedal I had before.

[gwEm]

the most recent revision of smartgate mxr has brought is really really good.

isp decimator (which I have) is pretty good, and i like the simplicity.

in my opinion the ns-2 is looking pretty outdated these days.

[Denim n Leather]

in my opinion the ns-2 is looking pretty outdated these days.

True, but some players prefer buffered outputs. It would be a shame if they stopped making the NS-2 just because it's not in vogue. The actual noise suppression works just fine, too -- and if it ain't broke ...

I mean -- dayum! Some people use curly cords when they play guitar! ;)

[Brow]

I mean -- dayum! Some people use curly cords when they play guitar! ;)

Yeah, old guys with no concept of tone or style!  :lol:

I had an old BOSS NF2 (I think it was).

I think it was the pedal that came before the NS2. Mine worked fine and it only cost me about a tenner! :)

[gwEm]

I mean -- dayum! Some people use curly cords when they play guitar! ;)

Yeah, old guys with no concept of tone or style!  :lol:

curly cords are pure style bruv 8)

[Brow]

curly cords are pure style bruv 8)

I know, I'm just winding Ben up  8)

[gwEm]

curly cords are pure style bruv 8)

I know, I'm just winding Ben up  8)

he surely needs winding up ;)