Cranking up the gain on my amp used to feel like unleashing raw rock power. Until the hiss and hum turned my tone into a noisy mess, that is.
In my early days playing in hard rock and metal bands, I didn’t realize how much unwanted noise could creep in and ruin what should have been a great sound. Then, I discovered noise gates and suppressor pedals, which helped me regain control over my tone. But despite seeming similar, they each solve noise problems in their own unique way.
What does a noise gate pedal do, or equally as important, what does a noise suppressor pedal do? And what are the differences between the two? In this guide, I’ll share the key differences and some tips I’ve picked up along the way so you can clean up your sound and make the right noise-cleaning decisions for your pedalboard.
Key Takeaways
- Noise gates cut sound entirely below a threshold, making them ideal for sharp silence between notes in high-gain setups.
- Noise suppressors reduce noise gradually, preserving tone and handling constant noise, like hum from single-coil pickups.
- Experiment with placement. Noise gates or suppressors should usually be placed after gain pedals and before time-based effects.
- Balancing threshold, attack, and release is important for natural-sounding noise control.
- High-quality cables and a proper power supply can help remove noise before you even need a pedal.
Table of Contents
Understanding Noise Gate and Suppressor Pedals
What Does a Noise Gate Pedal Do
A noise gate pedal acts like an automated volume control for your guitar signal, but only when your signal dips below a certain level. It works by muting or greatly reducing the sound when it falls below a set threshold [1]. This makes it useful for guitarists playing with high-gain and traditionally noisy settings, as it effectively silences unwanted background noise, like hum or hiss, when you’re not playing.
Once your guitar signal exceeds the threshold, the gate “opens,” allowing your full signal to pass through without any interference. The result is a cleaner, more professional-sounding sound during those quiet moments, rests or pauses in your performance.
Setting the threshold correctly is key to getting the most out of a noise gate pedal. Too high, and the gate may cut off the natural decay of your notes, making them sound choppy. Too low, and it won’t fully silence the noise.
What Does a Noise Suppressor Pedal Do
A noise suppressor pedal functions similarly to a noise gate but takes a more refined approach. Rather than completely cutting off sound below a certain threshold, a noise suppressor works by gradually reducing or attenuating the unwanted noise, allowing for a smoother and less abrupt transition between your playing and any background hiss or hum. This makes it particularly useful in high-gain situations, where noise can linger even while you’re playing, as it helps control noise without the harsh cutoff typical of noise gates.
Noise suppressor pedals are designed to preserve the integrity of your guitar tone, minimizing noise without altering the core sound. They do this by identifying the noisy elements within your signal and subtly lowering their volume without affecting your playing. This ensures your guitar’s tone remains clear and dynamic while the background noise is kept under control.
Adjusting the threshold and decay settings is important for finding the right balance when dialing in a noise suppressor. Too aggressive a setting, and you risk dulling the nuances of your playing; too relaxed, and the noise will persist.
Difference Between Noise Gates and Suppressor Pedals
Noise Gate
- Cuts off sound entirely below a set threshold.
- Best for high-gain setups where noise is only an issue during pauses or rests.
- Provides sharp, total silence between notes—ideal for heavy or rhythmic playing.
Noise Suppressor
- Reduces noise gradually without fully muting your signal.
- Effective for handling constant noise, even while you’re playing (e.g., hum from single-coil pickups).
- Preserves tonal nuances, offering a smoother blend between your playing and the background noise.
How to Choose the Right One
Your decision will depend on your playing style and noise issues. I like using a noise gate for complete silence between super high-gain riffs.
However, a noise suppressor is a more versatile option when I want to lower background noise while keeping my tone intact.
That said, I would always recommend trying to remove noise from the source rather than looking for a fix; for example, make sure you learn how to power effects pedals correctly and use high-quality cables. You’ll be amazed how much difference this can make.
Best Settings for Noise Gate and Suppressor Pedals
Understanding Common Controls
Before we look at optimizing your settings, it’s important to get familiar with the basic controls found on many noise gates and suppressor pedals. While different pedals may have different options, most will include these key settings:
- Threshold
This sets the level at which the pedal starts working. It determines when the noise gate closes, or the noise suppressor begins reducing unwanted sounds. - Attack
Controls how quickly the pedal responds once the signal crosses the threshold. A faster attack means the pedal kicks in immediately, while a slower attack softens the transition. - Release
This is how long the pedal keeps working after your signal falls below the threshold. A quick release gives you instant silence, while a slower release allows for a natural fade-out of your notes.
Some other pedals may include additional settings like Decay (similar to release, but sometimes more focused on the fade-out behavior) or Range (which determines how aggressively the noise is reduced).
Set The Threshold
Getting the threshold right is key to getting the best out of your noise gate or noise suppressor pedal. The threshold determines when the pedal kicks in to manage unwanted noise.
For noise gates, you want to set the threshold high enough to cut off the noise but low enough to let your guitar notes decay naturally. A good starting point is to set the threshold just above the noise floor of your rig, then tweak it until you strike the right balance between silence and sustain.
The goal for noise suppressors is slightly different. Remember, you’re not removing the noise entirely but reducing it. Start by setting the threshold at the point where noise becomes noticeable, then raise it slightly. This way, the suppressor reduces unwanted hum or buzz without messing with your playing dynamics. Fine-tuning here is all about maintaining a clean tone while keeping the natural feel of your performance.
Adjusting Attack and Release
Attack and release settings are important to get a smooth, natural sound from your noise gate or suppressor pedal. The attack controls how quickly the pedal reacts when your signal crosses the threshold. A fast attack works well for tight, staccato playing, but be careful. Setting it too fast could create an unwanted clicking sound (this is something you need to listen for). A slower attack softens that transition, but you might notice a slight delay in your sound coming through.
Release settings determine how long the pedal takes to “close” after your signal drops below the threshold. A fast release gives you instant silence between notes but you might find you chop off the tail end of sustained chords. Slower release settings allow for a natural decay of your notes, though they might let some noise sneak back in.
Where to Put Noise Gate or Suppressor Pedals on Your Pedalboard
Proper placement of your noise gate or suppressor pedal is key to getting a clean, noise-free sound. Here’s how to integrate them into your signal chain for optimal performance:
After Gain and Distortion Pedals
For a lot of guitar players, the best spot for your noise gate or noise suppressor is after your gain-based pedals, like distortion, overdrive, or fuzz. These pedals usually introduce the most noise, so placing the noise reduction pedal here ensures it captures and eliminates the unwanted hum and hiss generated by your high-gain effects.
Before Time-Based Effects
You usually want to put your noise gate or suppressor before any time-based effects like reverb, delay, or chorus. These pedals work by creating trails and ambient effects, and placing a noise gate after them can cut off those trails, making your sound feel abrupt. By putting the noise reduction pedal before these effects, you clean up your signal without interfering with the ambient qualities that these pedals add.
In the FX Loop
Another option, particularly for high-gain amp setups, is placing the noise gate or suppressor in your amp’s FX loop. This position works especially well for controlling noise that builds up after the preamp stage. If your amp’s preamp introduces noise, placing the noise gate in the FX loop will give you a cleaner overall sound while preserving the tonal shaping of your preamp section.
Before or After Compressors
If you’re using a compressor, I recommend you experiment with placing the noise gate either before or after it. Placing it before the compressor will reduce noise earlier in the chain, but if the compressor is adding unwanted noise, then placing the gate after may help minimize or remove it. It’s a personal preference, and that’s why it’s best to experiment and see what works best for your pedalboard.
Best Noise Gate and Suppressor Pedals
Choosing the right noise gate or suppressor can truly transform a noisy setup. But before you rush out to buy one, I’d always recommend trying other noise-reduction techniques at the source first. Things like using high-quality cables, properly grounding your gear, and learning how to power guitar pedals correctly can make a huge difference. You might be surprised how much noise you can eliminate without even needing a dedicated pedal.
That said, when those methods aren’t enough, here are a few pedals I’ve tried or seen others swear by:
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
A go-to choice for many guitarists, the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal is reliable and does its job well for standard noise suppression. One of its standout features is the send/return loop, which lets you isolate noisy pedals—like distortion or overdrive—within the loop for more targeted noise reduction. While it’s affordable and won’t color your tone much, some players notice a slight impact on dynamics, especially with more aggressive settings. Still, it’s a solid choice for those starting to control noise on their pedalboard, especially if you’re on a budget.
ISP Technologies Decimator II
The ISP Decimator II has been a game-changer for so many guitar players, especially in high-gain setups. The precision it offers is outstanding—it tracks your signal dynamically and reduces noise without compromising your sustain or tone. This awesome noise reduction is what sets it apart from other pedals. If you’re playing heavier music with lots of distortion, this pedal will give you ultra-clean noise control without the frustrating tone loss that often comes with less advanced noise gates.
TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate
The Sentry is known for its versatility, particularly because of its multiband noise reduction. This feature lets you fine-tune the noise gate across different frequency ranges, making it great for complex or layered sounds. One cool aspect of the Sentry is its integration with TC Electronic’s TonePrint technology, which lets you customize gate settings through their app. I haven’t used this one personally, but players who need more flexibility rave about it, especially those with varied setups.
MXR Smart Gate (M135)
What makes the MXR Smart Gate stand out is its adaptability. With three selectable modes, Full, Mid, and Hiss, it can tackle different kinds of noise excellently. Whether you’re dealing with mild hum or more aggressive hiss, the Smart Gate gives you options to match your noise level. I’ve used this pedal a lot and am always impressed by its transparency. It doesn’t mess with your tone even when it’s working hard to suppress noise. This is a great option if you need flexibility in your noise control without compromising your sound.
Which One is Best for You
Each of these pedals has unique strengths, so I recommend trying a few to see which one best fits your rig and style.
I rarely need to use a noise gate, as I don’t play very high-gain music. But if I ever do, I use the MXR Smart Gate as my go-to for cutting through high-gain noise without losing any tone. I’ve had this pedal for years. It’s the first noise gate I ever owned, and it has always served me well.
But remember, everyone’s rig and preferences are different. The best part about pedals is experimenting until you find what works for you!
Embrace the Noise
When it comes to noise, we often treat it as something to “fix” with pedals, settings, or gear tweaks. But what if we started seeing a little noise not as an enemy but as a tool?
Some of the most iconic tones in history have a bit of noise. After all, a little grit can give a lot of character to your sound. Whether you’re cleaning up your signal with a noise gate or dialing in a suppressor, don’t forget that perfection doesn’t always mean pristine silence. Sometimes, the magic lies in the imperfections.
So, are you chasing that studio-perfect tone, or will you embrace a bit of the wild? Personally, I don’t mind a little bit of the wild in my tone, especially when I’m playing live.
The choice is yours, and that’s the beauty of it.
FAQs
How do you quiet a noisy guitar pedal?
To quiet a noisy guitar pedal, start by using high-quality cables and an isolated power supply to reduce noise at the source. Place a noise gate or noise suppressor after noisy pedals like distortion or overdrive to control hum and hiss. Additionally, check for loose connections or faulty cables and ensure proper grounding in your setup. Adjust the pedal’s settings, like lowering the gain or adjusting the EQ, to further minimize noise.
Should I use a noise gate?
You should use a noise gate if you’re dealing with unwanted noise like hiss, hum, or feedback, especially in high-gain setups. A noise gate helps clean up your sound by cutting off noise during pauses or quiet moments, making it ideal for tight, rhythmic playing or genres with lots of distortion. However, always try reducing noise at the source first, using good cables and proper power supplies, before relying on a pedal.
Where should I place my noise gate pedal?
Place your noise gate pedal after gain-based pedals like distortion or overdrive but before time-based effects like reverb and delay. This positioning ensures it cuts out unwanted noise generated by high-gain pedals while preserving the natural trails and ambiance of your time-based effects. Alternatively, for high-gain amps, placing it in the FX loop can help reduce noise introduced by the amp’s preamp stage.
Where does a noise suppressor go in a pedal chain?
A noise suppressor is typically placed after gain-based pedals like distortion, overdrive, or fuzz but before time-based effects like delay and reverb. This placement ensures the suppressor reduces unwanted noise generated by high-gain pedals while leaving the natural trails of time-based effects intact. For high-gain amps, you can also place it in the FX loop to manage noise introduced by the amp’s preamp section.
Should I use a noise gate and noise suppressor?
Using both a noise gate and a noise suppressor might be beneficial in some rarer cases where you’re dealing with different types of noise. A noise gate is ideal for cutting off noise during pauses or between notes, especially in high-gain setups. A noise suppressor works more subtly, reducing constant noise like hum without fully muting your signal. If your rig produces both types of noise, using both pedals can help you achieve a cleaner, more polished sound.
