Noise Gate Signal Path - How do you run yours?

[fitz]

I have a basic noise gate (1 input & 1 output) that I use to quiet the 31 band EQ in the loop on the Ceriatone.
That's a no-brainer, just loop send > EQ > gate > loop return.

I also have a few of the "4-hole" noise gates with "Input, Send, Return & Output", such as the Boss NS-2.
These have multiple ways that they can be used, and I spent some time re-routing 2 of my boards today.

Here's some info from Boss/Roland I found while looking for something to do...

Simple Method:
Same as the basic gate, just using the Input from the noise generator pedal & Output to the amp.



They also give an example of this in the loop to quiet a "high gain" amp, which I assume has a noisy preamp.



I've been using mine as what they call "Advanced Method", or "4 cable method", or "X-Pattern".
I just put all my drive pedals in the gate "loop" and send the gate output to the amp input.
This works great to silence a long chain of various noisy drive pedals.
I've also used this entirely in the amp FX loop to just quiet noisy pedals like a problematic EQ for example.



My main Origin 20 board is set up like this with all the dirt pedals in the gate loop (DemonFX clone of the ISP).
I get no noise from the EQ>Chorus>Reverb in the loop, so there's no reason to change this configuration.



Now I've heard many times about how some people use the 4-hole gates to quiet the front end and effects loop.
Decided to look up how Boss recommends doing this and found these pics with narratives.

How To Use The BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor In Your Rig

As a powerful tool to combat unwanted noise, the BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor is invaluable. Find out how to use it effectively in your rig in this article!

rolandcorp.com.au

They show this as the "high gain" advanced method.
I was getting some EQ noise from my GE-7 in the loop of the 3210, so I gave this layout a try.

They say that the only thing between the guitar and gate input should be a tuner.
Drive pedals go after the gate Send and then to the amp input.
They say the gate clamps the guitar signal, so it quiets noisy drive pedals by starving them of any signal when you're not playing.

Amp loop send to pedals you want to quiet (like the EQ) then to the gate Return.
But put TBE after the gate output so you don't cut off the reverb & delay trails, and then back to the amp loop return.

 

[fitz]

Here's a pic of the re-configured 3210 board:
Guitar > gate Input > gate Send > 4 drive pedals > Mimiq (splitter to 3210 & 5100) > amp input.
Amp loop send > EQ > gate Return > gate Output > chorus/reverb > amp loop return.



Keeps the dirt pedals quiet out front and hushes the EQ hiss in the loop.
Did the same basic set up on the Joyo pedals for the VM2266.

 

[smitty_p]

On my actual pedal board, I have a simple noise gate. It’s the MXR SmartGate M-135. That unit is not a four-cable type of gate.

On that board, I have the rig set so the SmartGate runs in the amp’s effects loop. So, my wah pedal, any OD/distortion pedals, the amp’s preamp section, and (I think) my chorus pedal run into the SmartGate from the amp’s FX Send. Then, I put my delay and reverb after the SmartGate. The reverb is last and that goes back into the amp’s FX Return.

I do this so that the majority of items will be silenced by the SmartGate. I want to keep the delay and reverb after the SmartGate so that the delay and reverb tails will not keep the SmartGate gated on longer than necessary and so that the delay and reverb tails will continue on after the SmartGate gates off.

My Helix has a very effective noise gate function that is set as its own setting; it’s not an effects pedal that you have to build into the patch. It’s automatically available for every patch, as desired. Honestly, I don’t know where in the chain it effectively sits. Based on its behavior, my guess is that it is programmed similarly to how I put my noise gate pedal into the signal chain on my other actual pedal board.

 

[fitz]

On my actual pedal board, I have a simple noise gate. It’s the MXR SmartGate M-135. That unit is not a four-cable type of gate.

On that board, I have the rig set so the SmartGate runs in the amp’s effects loop. So, my wah pedal, any OD/distortion pedals, the amp’s preamp section, and (I think) my chorus pedal run into the SmartGate from the amp’s FX Send. Then, I put my delay and reverb after the SmartGate. The reverb is last and that goes back into the amp’s FX Return.

I do this so that the majority of items will be silenced by the SmartGate. I want to keep the delay and reverb after the SmartGate so that the delay and reverb trails will not keep the SmartGate gated on longer than necessary and so that the delay and reverb trails will continue on after the SmartGate gates off.

Sounds like a good way to use a "2-hole" noise gate to cover a lot of ground.
The gate I mentioned on the Ceriatone is in a similar location.
Forgot to mention that I have a chorus & reverb after the gate before the loop return.
I never considered that it may also be calming front-end and pre-amp noise, but I guess it probably does.

My Helix has a very effective noise gate function that is set as its own setting; it’s not an effects pedal that you have to build into the patch. It’s automatically available for every patch, as desired. Honestly, I don’t know where in the chain it effectively sits. Based on its behavior, my guess is that it is programmed similarly to how I put my noise gate pedal into the signal chain on my other actual pedal board.

I have a Boss ME-90 that has a built-in noise gate that also works very well.
It's placed at the end of the front end (pre-amp) section.
The TC Mimiq that I also use as a splitter on the 3210 is connected to the ME-90 input on the 5100 on the other side of the room.

 

[ibmorjamn]

Oh , ok . Thanks Fitz good question and good answer. I guess I’m done. lol

 

[Jethro Rocker]

I like that Boss 4CM. Very neat idea!
I use the gate in my Zoom G3x multi effect pedal, which is run in the loop. Seems to work very well. All my OD and volume effects go into front input.

 

[fitz]

Oh , ok . Thanks Fitz good question and good answer. I guess I’m done. lol

But you haven't answered my question.
How do you use your noise gate(s)?

 

[ibmorjamn]

But you haven't answered my question.
How do you use your noise gate(s)?

Well you know I just got one, I’m not entirely
sure it works as intended so you already know a lot more than more than I do about it.
I wish was more helpful.

 

[fitz]

I also have an EH Silencer on the 4210, but I just do the front-end gate loop thing.
Guitar > gate Input > gate Send > Notaklon & Haunting Mids > gate Return > gate Output > A/B/Y split to amp in & Haze15
Just the simple 4CM gate loop, but the TC SCF in the amp loop is dead quiet, so I don't run that through the gate.

 

[DirtySteve]

My experience with noise gates is that they don't stop the hiss until I start playing...stop playing and the hiss comes back. Is that normal or am I doing it wrong?

I've only used a noise gate when I used to use my Digitech RP-150 (which I still have but don't use anymore) and my Rocktron mini Hush pedal, which I don't use for the same reason I described above.

 

[ibmorjamn]

Oh yeah , Fitz. One reason among many I like the stomp is it has a noise gate built on the input so you turn it on or off. But high gain amps definitely need it.

 

[fitz]

My experience with noise gates is that they don't stop the hiss until I start playing...stop playing and the hiss comes back. Is that normal or am I doing it wrong?

I've only used a noise gate when I used to use my Digitech RP-150 (which I still have but don't use anymore) and my Rocktron mini Hush pedal, which I don't use for the same reason I described above.

That Digitech multi-gizmo looks like a toy.

The Rocktron should work - try it again right after a noisy dirt pedal.
Turn the drive pedal on without playing anything so you get the background hiss.
Turn the gate on and increase the threshold knob until the hiss goes quiet, then start playing.

 

[DirtySteve]

That Digitech multi-gizmo looks like a toy.

I've always thought of it that way. I only bought it to try different effects that I never tried before. It makes everything sound like a toy.

 

[fitz]

One reason among many I like the stomp is it has a noise gate built on the input so you turn it on or off. But high gain amps definitely need it.

Looks like a nice piece of gear, and built-in gates are a nice feature.
I just have never bonded with anything that has screens and menus as the main way of controlling the device.
I don't mind having programming options, but I like to have dedicated knobs that do what I expect them to do.

 

[ibmorjamn]

I did however record with a SM57 on a 1 x 12 with a WGS retro 30

 

[fitz]

I've always thought of it that way. I only bought it to try different effects that I never tried before. It makes everything sound like a toy.

Way back when my only amp was a Crate 10w combo, I bought one of these Digitech thingamabobs.
Lots of options, complete PITA to try to use.

 

[Thatbastarddon]

I have a basic noise gate (1 input & 1 output) that I use to quiet the 31 band EQ in the loop on the Ceriatone.
That's a no-brainer, just loop send > EQ > gate > loop return.

I also have a few of the "4-hole" noise gates with "Input, Send, Return & Output", such as the Boss NS-2.
These have multiple ways that they can be used, and I spent some time re-routing 2 of my boards today.

Here's some info from Boss/Roland I found while looking for something to do...

Simple Method:
Same as the basic gate, just using the Input from the noise generator pedal & Output to the amp.

View attachment 109202

They also give an example of this in the loop to quiet a "high gain" amp, which I assume has a noisy preamp.

View attachment 109203

I've been using mine as what they call "Advanced Method", or "4 cable method", or "X-Pattern".
I just put all my drive pedals in the gate "loop" and send the gate output to the amp input.
This works great to silence a long chain of various noisy drive pedals.
I've also used this entirely in the amp FX loop to just quiet noisy pedals like a problematic EQ for example.

View attachment 109204

My main Origin 20 board is set up like this with all the dirt pedals in the gate loop (DemonFX clone of the ISP).
I get no noise from the EQ>Chorus>Reverb in the loop, so there's no reason to change this configuration.

View attachment 109205

Now I've heard many times about how some people use the 4-hole gates to quiet the front end and effects loop.
Decided to look up how Boss recommends doing this and found these pics with narratives.

How To Use The BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor In Your Rig

As a powerful tool to combat unwanted noise, the BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor is invaluable. Find out how to use it effectively in your rig in this article!

rolandcorp.com.au

They show this as the "high gain" advanced method.
I was getting some EQ noise from my GE-7 in the loop of the 3210, so I gave this layout a try.

They say that the only thing between the guitar and gate input should be a tuner.
Drive pedals go after the gate Send and then to the amp input.
They say the gate clamps the guitar signal, so it quiets noisy drive pedals by starving them of any signal when you're not playing.

Amp loop send to pedals you want to quiet (like the EQ) then to the gate Return.
But put TBE after the gate output so you don't cut off the reverb & delay trails, and then back to the amp loop return.

View attachment 109206

Mostly diagram 3 or 4. Right now a variation of 3 with a TC Electronics Sentry, but since two of the three amps I’m routed to do not have loops, I run my time based fx after the gate output…splitting to pseudo-stereo via Eventide MicroPitch to two (reasonably clean) guitar amp inputs. However, one leg gets split, via a Radial Big Shot ABY, to my little Ampeg bass amp.
I can have all 3 amps running, and you wouldn’t know….dead quiet.
I do have a treble booster in front of everything, for when the need arises…it’s happy there.

 

[Thatbastarddon]

Now I've heard many times about how some people use the 4-hole gates to quiet the front end and effects loop.
Decided to look up how Boss recommends doing this and found these pics with narratives.

How To Use The BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor In Your Rig

As a powerful tool to combat unwanted noise, the BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor is invaluable. Find out how to use it effectively in your rig in this article!

rolandcorp.com.au

They show this as the "high gain" advanced method.

I tried to use the “X” or “high gain” advanced method with a NS-2 for a while in my Laney rig…many moons ago. Hated it for lack of sustain on…anything really. All that I could get it to do acceptably was chug and shut up.
Eventually, I had a good look at the grounding in the amp, and found a solution to the original offending preamp/loop noise. Now it’s not in need of such chicanery.

 

[BFT Gibson]

I run 2204 & SL 100 wide open into 4x12. My noise gate is the volume knob on my guitar. Nothing like a firing breathing power house behind me with angry hiss that tells me,,yep i got you..lets go..

My observation, anything a gate does is not worth any sacrifice of the EQ & dynamics that are available without it.

 

[Beagle]

Noise gate?