Best noise suppressor?? Whats your fav?

Jenix · May 6th, 2008, 02:07 PM

This is something I need to buy. Probably my next buy before I get a compressor even. I can't stand the noise and my vintage rat adds alot. So does my TS. I can't afford one for a few weeks but I still want to research it

Whats the best noise suppressor? I've looked at the Boss NS-2, MXR noise gate, and electro harmonix hum debugger.

Judge by the following,

Price
Effect on tone
Reliability
Options
Other

P.S. I've tried everything else to get rid of noise so I don't need shielding tips etc.

hockey_head · May 6th, 2008, 02:21 PM

ISP Decimator can order direct at isptechnologies.com web site is very cool.
it comes in a pedal and in a single or dual rackmount cersion

Tim Bowen · May 7th, 2008, 03:11 AM

Many online opinions favor the ISP Decimator over the BOSS NS-2, but I've never played the ISP.

I like the format of the BOSS because it has a loop, meaning that time-based effects such as modulation and delay can run outside of its signal path and be unaffected; simply insert the unruly noisemakers within the loop and you're golden. I gig and record pretty much weekly... nothing bigtime really, but it's paying work... I don't get on with noiseless pickups, mostly play tele and strat true singles, use some gain, wouldn't consider not carrying an NS-2 to my electric guitar jobs. Some clubs have horrible wiring and some studios don't have copper grounding spikes underground - either way, the NS-2 has helped me avoid embarrassment in this respect, countless times. In the case of running true P90's - I can't believe people still play these pickups with gainers in the live environment without some sort of noise tamer in line. At a gig last week, I heard a guy on the bill kick in a Les Paul Special with P90's through a Tube Screamer through a Deluxe Reverb, and the 60 cycle hum was just ungodly obnoxious.

On the NS-2: with 'threshold' set above 2:00, there's a bit of attenuation in the bass, a slight lack of sustain, and the higher you go, the perceived volume level will be decreased. However, 2:00 is an extreme setting; I rarely set this knob higher than about 12:30, and mostly, it just fixes problems. As engaged, the NS-2 very slightly bumps the mids, but ears have to be quite discerning to hear this, especially in the heat of battle at some bar or club. I'll put it this way - I've never had some tone freak come up after a set and say, "I really enjoyed that, but it would've been better without a noise suppressor". I'm sure that fans of noiseless pickups could relate similar experiences. Another thing I love about the BOSS pedal is its mute function - it serves as master kill switch on all my boards.

mikespe · May 7th, 2008, 08:34 AM

I have the Boss NS-2 I got used from eBay for like $20. It was mint and you can usually get one at an excellent price. It is very simple to use. You plug all the pedals you want the NS-2 to reduce noise into the pedal's effects loop. Everything else plugs into the input jack and then out to either the amp or ambiance effects. It really does a nice job.

bowman · May 7th, 2008, 09:15 AM

I also use the NS-2. It does exactly what it's supposed to do: put your noisy things in the loop, and they're not noisy any more. I've never tried any other units because I've never had any issues with the NS-2.

bowlfreshener · May 7th, 2008, 11:33 AM

+1 more on the Boss NS-2! However, I don't use the loop, but still find it to be effective.

mikespe · May 7th, 2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

+1 more on the Boss NS-2! However, I don't use the loop, but still find it to be effective.

I used to use it without the loop but let me tell you I noticed a difference for the better when I went through the loop. Just keep your delay/reverb etc out of the loop. I followed the instructions that came with the pedal and I am glad I did.

fivenote · May 7th, 2008, 02:43 PM

I use the mxr smartgate - simple and effective. It has three modes - hiss, mid, full - this may not seem simple at first, but it lets you find the right gate for the situation.

It doesn't have a loop like the boss, but I put it in the chain after my overdrives and before my modulation pedals.

Kelsey · May 7th, 2008, 02:55 PM

I recently purchased an ISP Decimator from Humbucker Music, and I'm pleased with it. The buffer seems a little nicer than the one in my Boss TU-2, and I cannot hear any noticeable artifacts if I keep the threshold at 9:00 or lower (-50 to -60 dB), which is still enough to remove single coil hum (including P90's) combined with noise from one TS-style pedal. That's generally good enough for me. I don't use reverb or echo pedals too often, so I can't comment on whether that may be an issue.

May 6th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jenix Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Illinois State University Age: 19 Posts: 303	Best noise suppressor?? Whats your fav? This is something I need to buy. Probably my next buy before I get a compressor even. I can't stand the noise and my vintage rat adds alot. So does my TS. I can't afford one for a few weeks but I still want to research it Whats the best noise suppressor? I've looked at the Boss NS-2, MXR noise gate, and electro harmonix hum debugger. Judge by the following, Price Effect on tone Reliability Options Other P.S. I've tried everything else to get rid of noise so I don't need shielding tips etc. __________________ USA Ovation * (Big Baby Taylor - SOLD) MIM Telecaster * Vox AC15CC Takamine Classical G series Martin 000C-16RGTE Aura Some people sing in the shower, I play guitar...

May 7th, 2008, 03:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,319	Many online opinions favor the ISP Decimator over the BOSS NS-2, but I've never played the ISP. I like the format of the BOSS because it has a loop, meaning that time-based effects such as modulation and delay can run outside of its signal path and be unaffected; simply insert the unruly noisemakers within the loop and you're golden. I gig and record pretty much weekly... nothing bigtime really, but it's paying work... I don't get on with noiseless pickups, mostly play tele and strat true singles, use some gain, wouldn't consider not carrying an NS-2 to my electric guitar jobs. Some clubs have horrible wiring and some studios don't have copper grounding spikes underground - either way, the NS-2 has helped me avoid embarrassment in this respect, countless times. In the case of running true P90's - I can't believe people still play these pickups with gainers in the live environment without some sort of noise tamer in line. At a gig last week, I heard a guy on the bill kick in a Les Paul Special with P90's through a Tube Screamer through a Deluxe Reverb, and the 60 cycle hum was just ungodly obnoxious. On the NS-2: with 'threshold' set above 2:00, there's a bit of attenuation in the bass, a slight lack of sustain, and the higher you go, the perceived volume level will be decreased. However, 2:00 is an extreme setting; I rarely set this knob higher than about 12:30, and mostly, it just fixes problems. As engaged, the NS-2 very slightly bumps the mids, but ears have to be quite discerning to hear this, especially in the heat of battle at some bar or club. I'll put it this way - I've never had some tone freak come up after a set and say, "I really enjoyed that, but it would've been better without a noise suppressor". I'm sure that fans of noiseless pickups could relate similar experiences. Another thing I love about the BOSS pedal is its mute function - it serves as master kill switch on all my boards. __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

May 7th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
bowlfreshener Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 33 Posts: 1,547 6 Photos	+1 more on the Boss NS-2! However, I don't use the loop, but still find it to be effective. __________________ RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

May 7th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
fivenote Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 148 4 Photos	I use the mxr smartgate - simple and effective. It has three modes - hiss, mid, full - this may not seem simple at first, but it lets you find the right gate for the situation. It doesn't have a loop like the boss, but I put it in the chain after my overdrives and before my modulation pedals. __________________ ~~~~~ fivenote ~~~~~ One day I'll finally have the perfect guitar for me. That's also the day I'll get arthritis. It was a fun ride.

May 6th, 2008, 02:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
hockey_head Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: shortsville, ny Age: 51 Posts: 379	ISP Decimator can order direct at isptechnologies.com web site is very cool. it comes in a pedal and in a single or dual rackmount cersion

May 7th, 2008, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
bowman Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Westborough, MA Age: 56 Posts: 414	I also use the NS-2. It does exactly what it's supposed to do: put your noisy things in the loop, and they're not noisy any more. I've never tried any other units because I've never had any issues with the NS-2.

May 7th, 2008, 02:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kelsey Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 715	I recently purchased an ISP Decimator from Humbucker Music, and I'm pleased with it. The buffer seems a little nicer than the one in my Boss TU-2, and I cannot hear any noticeable artifacts if I keep the threshold at 9:00 or lower (-50 to -60 dB), which is still enough to remove single coil hum (including P90's) combined with noise from one TS-style pedal. That's generally good enough for me. I don't use reverb or echo pedals too often, so I can't comment on whether that may be an issue.