Noise Gates: Everything You NEED to Know | Too Afraid To Ask

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  • Опубліковано 20 тра 2024
  • What are Noise Gates? How do they work? What are Send and Return for? Where should I put one in my signal chain? We tackle all of the Noise Gate questions you are Too Afraid To Ask.
    Boss NS1X: Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/574355?offid=...
    Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/JzQKKr
    More about NS-1X - www.boss.info/global/products...
    More about Multi Dimensional Processing - articles.boss.info/x-series-p...
    This video contains paid promotion from Boss
    More details on how CSGuitars implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure
    #noisegate #tata #scienceofloud
    Timecodes:
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:31 - Are Suppressors Different From Gates?
    01:00 - How Do Noise Gates Work?
    03:08 - What Noise Do Noise Gates Gate?
    05:22 - Where Does A Noise Gate Go On My Pedalboard?
    05:36 - Placing It EARLY In Your Signal Chain
    07:01 - Placing it AFTER Distortion
    07:35 - What Do SEND and RETURN Do?
    09:06 - Reverbs and Delays Come LAST
    09:47 - Summary of Noise Gate Placement
    10:03 - So What About This NS-1X Then?
    14:08 - Links and Conclusion
    More from CSGuitars:
    Support on Patreon: / csguitars
    Join CSGuitars Discord - / discord
    Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store
    Website - www.csguitars.co.uk
    Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk
    ____________________________________________________________________
    Description contains affiliate links. Purchasing using one of these links will generate a small commission for CSGuitars at no additional cost to you.
    Affiliate Links:
    Thomann - www.thomann.de/gb/index.html?...
    Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/2mGGg
    Reverb - reverb.grsm.io/csguitars
    Spectre Digital - spectredigital.com?aff=CSGuitars
    Crimson Luthiery Tools - www.crimsonguitars.com/?ref=c... + Discount Code 'CSGUITARS5' for 5% OFF
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 221

  • @bstoner1300
    @bstoner1300 7 місяців тому +137

    Boss entrusting you to explain simply is both helpful and a huge compliment to you Colin!

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +75

      What I love about working with Boss is they know what my videos are about and will come to me with a video idea which is exactly something I'd make.
      This time they went "We have a new noise gate and we'd love to see 'Too Afraid To Ask: How Do Noise Gates Work' and you explain all of it. That will be an evergreen resource for guitarists that's always relevant", they fund a useful video I've been wanting to make since forever and they get their pedals prominently featured.
      Everybody wins!
      Boss don't want a bunch of identical pedal adverts, they want unique and helpful content that musicians can benefit from.

    • @Kylora2112
      @Kylora2112 7 місяців тому +12

      @@ScienceofLoudThat's how advertising *should* be. I don't care about buzzwords and hype. I want numbers, sounds, and actual explanations!

    • @groverjuicy
      @groverjuicy 7 місяців тому +3

      Boss pedals fucking rule.

    • @user-hs1jj2xv3l
      @user-hs1jj2xv3l 6 місяців тому

      Boss pedals are definitely fuckin BOSS... Wish they were a little less expensive tho

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen 2 місяці тому

      @@user-hs1jj2xv3l My BOSS GT-1 was not particularly expensive for what it is: every pedal you need as a skilled amateur.

  • @iutchube
    @iutchube 7 місяців тому +34

    Colin should be invited by every single gear manufacturer to do their review videos. Simply the best!

  • @g3ng4rb0i3
    @g3ng4rb0i3 7 місяців тому +51

    Dude this was golden, I has no idea what the send and return do or meant. This video cleared everything up. Thanks man

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +5

      Glad I could offer you some clarity on this subject

  • @tacaobh
    @tacaobh Місяць тому +6

    I'm senior electrical engineer in Brazil and I really like your videos and explanations. Boss should put this video as NS-1X manual 😂. Congrats.

  • @MetalHeadProductions
    @MetalHeadProductions 7 місяців тому +4

    Finally someone showed this with the four cable method. It was driving me crazy everyone was ignoring that.

  • @concretebadger
    @concretebadger 7 місяців тому +14

    Aww man, thank you sooo much for this. Between the spoken explanation and the accompanying animated graphics, you've done a fantastic job of explaining how these things work!

  • @PocketUnv
    @PocketUnv 7 місяців тому +6

    You've outdone yourself again, I can't imagine the hours this must have taken to put together. Thanks for a wonderfully clear explanation!

  • @tres913
    @tres913 14 днів тому

    Thank you so much! This is hands down, the best explanation of NS pedals I could imagine.

  • @xdoctorblindx
    @xdoctorblindx 7 місяців тому +7

    I simply can't say enough good things about Colin. His videos are always incredibly informative, and his humour, delivery, playing, and production are always on point. Of course, this video is no exception!

    • @jessehutchings
      @jessehutchings 5 місяців тому +1

      Have you tried asking him out?

  • @Th_RealDirtyDan
    @Th_RealDirtyDan 7 місяців тому +3

    The Boss NS-2 is such a powerhouse I use it on all 3 of my pedalboards to its fullest capability, and hearing your explanation of Boss’s MDP just blew my mind and now I need to upgrade them all. Along with my compressors to the CP-1X. I’m going to be broke now.

  • @TreyB.
    @TreyB. 4 місяці тому +1

    Everything is better when explained by a true Scotsman... Great demo! Thank you, sir!

  • @skoneal007
    @skoneal007 4 місяці тому +2

    Wow this was amazing dude. I felt like I just took a university class Noise Gates 101. Seriously well put together. I would like to see a series of these for all types of pedals. Then maybe a 202 class for those that need it. Thanks Professor 😉

  • @spunkybrewster1972
    @spunkybrewster1972 7 місяців тому +3

    I love this series. Been playing since the beginning of time, and there's still tons of stuff like this that I've just taken for granted, without really understanding.

    • @DJBuglip
      @DJBuglip 7 місяців тому

      Ditto. I've been the caveman of guitarists, "I plug cable here, noise come out!"

  • @MarksUkuleleTips
    @MarksUkuleleTips 24 дні тому

    Knocked it out of the park again Colin. That is literally the first time I have ever understood what send and return are, and I've tried countless times. Thank you for explaining it in such a simple, practical, and visual way. Now I get it.

  • @13aphomet
    @13aphomet 7 місяців тому +2

    Caught that At the GATES riff... Nice 👍🏼

  • @BedeLaplume
    @BedeLaplume 4 місяці тому +2

    ​ Definitely one of the best if not the best video I've seen on the subject..Kudos!

  • @Flowerman557
    @Flowerman557 7 місяців тому

    Very helpful explanation. I've been looking everywhere for information on this particular pedal for a very specific use in my signal chain. So far, you have been the only person I've came across to break it down for said specific use.

  • @RaccoonHenry
    @RaccoonHenry 7 місяців тому +2

    your videos are always so topical! I was wondering about noise gates not two days ago!!!

  • @fmacauliffe
    @fmacauliffe 7 місяців тому +2

    Decided to redo my entire pedalboard (don't worry, it's not very big) thanks to this video and I'm very happy with the new signal chain, using the Send and Return feature of the NS-2. Thanks Colin!

  • @PedalPlayhouse
    @PedalPlayhouse 7 місяців тому +9

    I was looking forward to this, it was really helpful the way you explained how it function as well as the graphic visuals. I’ll def consider looking into getting one in the future. Thanks Colin for your time, care, and consideration into this one.

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +5

      I just can't live without a noise gate - and I know I'm like this because I'm a smelly little death metal gremlin and have about 5 of the buggers, but I use gates most on Strats and P90s to try and chill out some of that mains frequency hum. Was very happy with how the Reduction mode on the NS-1X handled single coils.

    • @PedalPlayhouse
      @PedalPlayhouse 7 місяців тому +1

      @@ScienceofLoudhehe I relate as I’m a effects pedal gremlin that likes to chase textures the same way, I was most impressed by the spilt of the seeds and returns at two different points of the chain so I can see what you mean by having them everywhere in your setup!

  • @macsarcule
    @macsarcule 7 місяців тому +1

    This was awesomely helpful, I am totally getting and fitting one of these into my signal chain. ✌️😌🎸

  • @Furtheronmusic
    @Furtheronmusic 7 місяців тому +2

    Thanks Colin brilliant explanation

  • @GetSwifty
    @GetSwifty 6 місяців тому

    Amazing video on noise gates. Couldn't ask for anymore. Brilliant, thank you!

  • @trevorhuff7213
    @trevorhuff7213 2 дні тому

    Playing an At the gates riff was a cheeky little touch I see what you did there

  • @DethronerX
    @DethronerX 8 днів тому

    Thanks! Definitely like the idea of splitting it in two places and the digital aspect to focus on different things differently

  • @NoiseTherapy
    @NoiseTherapy Місяць тому

    This has to be the most helpful explanation on noise gates I’ve seen! Thanks Colin!

  • @hmtp177
    @hmtp177 7 місяців тому +1

    This is by far the most interesting TATA up to now. It would be amazing if you could compare different gate pedals and explain why some are better than others.

  • @reinaldolopez33
    @reinaldolopez33 5 місяців тому

    Great job with this video, tons of clear direct information, very useful! Thanks guys!

  • @5BBassist4Christ
    @5BBassist4Christ 7 місяців тому

    That send/return info was mind-blowing and helpful. Really cool feature.

  • @captainpancake1749
    @captainpancake1749 4 місяці тому

    by far the best video about noise gates and how they work on yt

  • @bthompson1229
    @bthompson1229 7 місяців тому +1

    Absolutely love that blue metal strat

  • @JonDeth
    @JonDeth 2 місяці тому +1

    Gate is actually based on the use of FET/MOSFETS and their gate being what is voltage sensitive opening and latching shut. In terms of explanation, gates can be dialed for specific frequency ranges and really finely tuned to silence a variety of specific noises. It's a bit more involved and technical than your overview of "open or closed". A really good one can eliminate hum, buzz, white noise etc. and not fully shut.
    *Gates can be layered in parallel so you have several and each is shut by a differing amount. This allows you to have sound on 100% of the time, and a lot of noise eliminated, but these aren't popular designs in about half of them out there.*
    *And man, I hate noise gates beyond words, even especially good ones.* One of my goals as an amateur engineer has always been to focus on eliminating noise without designing a gate. I've done incredibly well with it, but ultimately, I will design my own gates soon. I've designed and build wholly unique, ultra-high gain distortions that don't wine, have zero buzz or very little, but this always comes at a trade-off.
    *With my current design well underway, I'm primarily eliminating those tradeoffs, and will likely need an incredibly tiny amount of gate in the signal path. We're talking like 5 to 15% with gain factors that in 99% of gear, would be an endless wall of noise!*
    It always kills me to hear very talented and highly skilled metal and instrumental guitarists click off that noise gate, and it sounds like a GD waterfall then soon escalates into screeching, buzzing and humming. 🙁

  • @mcliffe26
    @mcliffe26 7 місяців тому +1

    Great video, Colin! Finally someone using the Send and Return properly! So many NS-1X videos have completely missed the point. I kinda wish my MXR Smart Gate had that feature, but I mostly use it to tame my fuzz pedals when recording, so I don't need it to be too subtle!

  • @TheJstewart2010
    @TheJstewart2010 7 місяців тому +1

    What a clear and really helpful explanation. I sort of knew how noise gates work, but avoided them because the cutoffs always seemed too abrupt and unnatural at the end of a sustained note. The digital algorithm really looks like a game changer here.

  • @ricardomm6535
    @ricardomm6535 Місяць тому

    thank you, one think that never would need this videos about a noise supressor, until you need it! there is no better explanation than this one!

  • @gcvrsa
    @gcvrsa 7 місяців тому +2

    I've never really felt much need in the past for a noise gate, but the NS-1X is so good, that I'm seriously considering getting it. I'm a big fan of the Boss X series pedals. My main bass pedalboard uses the BB-1X Bass Driver and BC-1X Bass Comp. Now, if they would release an FB-1X Feedbacker/Booster, that would be great.

  • @NunoGuitarsSilva
    @NunoGuitarsSilva 7 місяців тому

    Great video once again, thanks!!! Cheers from Portugal.

  • @sadsismint
    @sadsismint 5 місяців тому

    Great vid Colin! another banger that really helps us all out! :D

  • @s1imple1cs2
    @s1imple1cs2 7 місяців тому

    Amazing content as always mate!!! very clear and informative! i too have a Boss NS2 =) i love it and i use it with a send/return as well. i'm not really heavy on the gain, but it really helps make my stage sound clean. cheers.

  • @TheFinalOverdrive
    @TheFinalOverdrive 7 місяців тому

    Where was this video 10 years ago when I needed it!?
    Perfectly executed. Short and to the point, with great animation for easy understanding.
    I have an old NS-1 in the Send/Return-Configuration to keep the old chainsaw in place, works well.
    However, there is still some high-frequency whistling when the gate closes.
    The new NS-1X seems to handle that a bit better, check these two timestamps:
    09:05
    11:13

  • @theorganicshadow
    @theorganicshadow 6 місяців тому

    This makes me wonder why I ever even pined so much for the C***blocker pedal. This seems like it fits my use case perfectly and you even demonstrated that with the high gain too. Adding this to my wish list.

  • @literallyjeff
    @literallyjeff 2 місяці тому

    Thanks so much for this video, I was always avoiding picking up a noise gate for fear of it cutting the signal off too hard or early and sounding artificial. I just picked up the NS1X.

  • @ezer0923
    @ezer0923 5 місяців тому

    Long time viewer here man, but this vid made me sub
    Thank you so much for this!

  • @GodMcQueen
    @GodMcQueen 24 дні тому +1

    *Thank you!*

  • @dimesciple1652
    @dimesciple1652 7 місяців тому

    Perfectly explained, the light bulb went off when you talked about your signal and noise being the same and not separate. I was that carrot.. I’ll admit it . Great video with some easy to understand explanations.

  • @metallaholic
    @metallaholic 7 місяців тому

    i love this series.

  • @kristopherdetar4346
    @kristopherdetar4346 7 місяців тому

    You are a bright Ladd, thanks again for your time and brain power.

  • @sdriza
    @sdriza 6 днів тому

    This pedal is fantastic! I could barely even play, Silent Night when I bought this..
    immediately after getting the pedal, I was ripping off EVH solos out of no where!!!
    My wife even said I am more attractive now (I noticed my posture is better and I am actually an inch or two taller since getting it.

  • @chessrootslove9916
    @chessrootslove9916 7 місяців тому

    Thank you, very clear & informative video...let me go try that gate again. 😎

  • @satevo462
    @satevo462 7 місяців тому +1

    Years ago, I spent A LOT time time on my pedal board. I had my Boss NS-2 looped perfectly to stop distortion noise and let delay and reverb sounds through flawlessly..... And while I was typing this a car crash into a ditch my yard so I can't remember what else I was going to say.

  • @stoatystoat174
    @stoatystoat174 7 місяців тому +2

    nice clear visuals 🤘😃👍

  • @victorjones8699
    @victorjones8699 3 місяці тому

    Thanks Colin

  • @mpalin11
    @mpalin11 7 місяців тому

    Another really well made video 👍👍

  • @andrewmorgan1640
    @andrewmorgan1640 7 місяців тому

    Awesome explanation Colin, also, love the carrot and the animation.

  • @jayeye89
    @jayeye89 3 місяці тому

    Great video man!

  • @7daysgone
    @7daysgone 7 місяців тому

    Great video!

  • @br00talbr00skeez
    @br00talbr00skeez 7 місяців тому

    It is glorious. Must have.

  • @mtguitar5150
    @mtguitar5150 7 місяців тому +1

    I use the hex stomp gate which works out because all drives and amp emulation are before the stomp but delays and verb are after the input gate in the stomp

  • @sr60030
    @sr60030 7 місяців тому

    ❤ Never a bad or boring video
    Luv u Colin

  • @tonya4157
    @tonya4157 2 місяці тому

    There are a lot of other UA-camrs that should watch this. It's so sad watching someone talk, at length, about something they don't understand. You're the man!
    But I'm still undecided between this Boss pedal and the TC Electronics Sentry. Will have to endure some more videos I guess...

  • @michaelgrahamwongacutemadness
    @michaelgrahamwongacutemadness 18 днів тому +1

    I don’t set gates that high because I like rolling the volume down for cleans doesn’t seem natural if completely silent between notes

  • @schorschharrison
    @schorschharrison 7 місяців тому +1

    Nothing smells better than a new Boss pedal! 😍

  • @dionr1168
    @dionr1168 7 місяців тому

    So if we're using a 4 cable noise gate like this one with a pedal switcher, would placing the sensor portion immediately after the guitar/before the switcher while placing the gated portion in the desired loop be a feasible option?

  • @riankardison
    @riankardison 7 місяців тому

    I remember that I watch this video on your channel a few days ago. Did you reupload this video?
    Great explanation as usual.

  • @sakreth1113
    @sakreth1113 7 місяців тому

    Nice explanation, I've never seen one "splitting" the Noise Gate pedal on stage. Can this be implemented on a modeller multi effect board?

  • @jessehutchings
    @jessehutchings 5 місяців тому

    Amazing how i spent 15 minutes of my life watching this and it explained everything EXCEPT where i should plug it in if it's my only pedal and my effects all come from the amp

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  5 місяців тому

      Plug it in between the guitar and amp, and if that isn't sufficient, put in in the amplifiers fx loop.
      If that is causing difficulty divining the distinction between note and noise, arrange use the pedal's send and return around the amplifier's preamp.
      This information was in the video, you should have been able to extrapolate for your use case. You can't expect a video to spoonfeed for every variant set up in existence.

  • @astrodadmusic
    @astrodadmusic 7 місяців тому +1

    Great video, Colin. You're explanations are always very helpful and enlightening, but I'm still a bit confused about something. The diagram at 9:54 shows compression/dirt in the Return/Send loop of the pedal and the Output going to delay/reverb then to the amp. However, I'm having trouble seeing how this matches up with your diagram at 8:08 showing the signal going through suppressor Input, then to dirt, then amp, while the Output (second "half" of the suppressor) of the pedal going to delay/etc. in the amp's effects loop. I'm fully aware your diagrams are for illustrating what you're talking about at that moment in the video, but if you could shed some light on this, my tiny pea brain would appreciate it! Cheers!

    • @dipchip5542
      @dipchip5542 7 місяців тому

      Guitar -> NS Input
      NS Send -> Comp, Dist, Amp in
      Amp Send -> NS Return
      NS Out -> Delay, Reverb, Amp Return
      Essentially, the compressor, distortion, and Preamp are all in the Gate loop, and the final output of the gate goes through the delays and reverbs into the Amp return. It makes more sense if you think of your amp as having "Preamp in, Preamp out, Power amp In" instead of "Input, Send, Return"

  • @andrecepeda1
    @andrecepeda1 7 місяців тому +1

    I always tought noise supressor was different from noise gate. Thanks for the clarification!

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +2

      Boss released their 'NF-1 Noise Gate' in 1979, this was in production for almost a decade until they brought out their new version with more features, which needed a different name, and they called it 'NS-2 Noise Suppressor'
      The 'Suppressor' name only exists to differentiate their 'new' 1987 pedal from the older model they were replacing. It would be like thinking a 'Super Overdrive' is something different from an 'Overdrive', or a 'Phase Shifter' is different from a 'Phaser'. Boss simply changed the names for the newer pedals.
      It really is that simple, but it's surprising how caught up people can get on a name.

  • @markhammer643
    @markhammer643 7 місяців тому

    I realize that noise-control products are no less susceptible to confusing naming than anything else in the musical world, but there IS a difference between a noise *suppressor* and a noise *gate* . "Gating" reduces the *entire* signal across the whole spectrum. Some gates allow one to adjust just much they reduce the signal, from a slight quieting to complete shutting it off. "Suppression", on the other hand, generally addresses high-frequency noise. Many noise-control devices back in the days of vinyl, were intended to attenuate surface noise in particular, such that they would detect and filter out such noise during quiet passages. Both of these are distinct from what is called "downward expansion". Expansion is the polar opposite of compression and especially peak limiting. Where compressors and limiters can reduce dynamic range of higher levels, such that the signal acquires a kind of fixed level, downward expansion *exaggerates* differences in level for quieter parts of the signal, such that what is softer gets MUCH quieter, and leaves louder parts unaffected. I have a compressor that uses this and it is dead quiet.
    I have long held the view that there are two aspects of "noise hygiene" to attend to. Guitars themselves tend not to produce much broadband hiss at all. Generally, their contribution will be EMI "hum" from all those nearby sources that pickups and poorly-shielded wiring can be susceptible to. This can certainly be amplified by later stages in the signal chain, and can sometimes be added to by poor grounding or shielding in pedals, but is typically a guitar-sourced form of noise. The other source of noise is hiss and some forms of high-frequency clock noise coming from the pedals themselves, especially, but not restricted to, higher gain pedals. Modulation pedals can produce annoying "ticks" at the modulation rate, but if they are properly designed can avoid that. Same thing with delay-based effects (echo, flanger, chorus) that have a risk for clock noise leaking through but should be designed to avoid that. (Side note: The Boss CE-1 and A/DA Flanger both had noise gates built in to cut out the delay signal when you stopped playing) In an ideal world one needs an automatic bass-suppressor immediately after the guitar, before the first pedal, so that no hum enters the rest of the signal path, and a hiss suppressor further along, to prevent any hiss buildup from gain stages.
    The chief difficulty with any form of noise control is that such devices make decisions to act or not act, based on signal level. Some may make a more informed decision than others, but generally they simply respond to overall signal level. And when there is enough noise (i.e., the "noise floor" is high), that decision point - the threshold - has to be set in a manner that affects the onset and decay of your signal. Alternatively, if one sets the threshold modestly, you don't get rid of nearly as much noise as you'd like to. This is why so many contemporary noise-control pedals include a send-return loop, such that the difference between wanted and unwanted sounds can be *detected* at the point where it is easiest to differentiate, but *applied* where it will have the most productive impact. ( *Nicely explained, Colin!* ) . The introduction of DSP-based noise detection and suppression has hiked noise control effectiveness up several notches, again because it employs more sophisticated "decision-making". I suppose one *could* do all of that in the analog domain, but the pedal would likely need to be rather large.
    But much of this is why I have adopted the view that a dual gate/suppressor approach is the ideal. The guitar goes into the noise-control pedal which eliminates hum, and senses the overall signal level, and applies a high-frequency noise *filter* to the "return" signal. That is, you get'em coming in AND going out. In theory, this ought to result in much gentler application and less intrusive action in controlling unwanted noise.
    (Sidenote #2: Because compressors are generally designed to treat hiss, when you don't play, as soft signal desperately in need of boosting, compressors can often be depicted as excessively noisy. They aren't...as long as you make sure to feed them a clean and quiet signal. Stick a compressor after a gain pedal, and it will boost the hiss. Not good.)

  • @kibbles1053
    @kibbles1053 6 місяців тому

    Colin, I have a TATA for you:
    Why would you use a boost/low gain pedal to boost your amp into high gain when your amp is capable of high gain and tone shaping already? Can you explain how a Tube Screamer or similar pedal is different than just adding gain, cutting the lows, and boosting the mids?

  • @ScienceofLoud
    @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +2

    What are Noise Gates? How do they work? What are Send and Return for? Where should I put one in my signal chain? We tackle all of the Noise Gate questions you are Too Afraid To Ask.
    Boss NS1X: Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/574355?offid=1&affid=367
    Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/JzQKKr
    More about NS-1X - www.boss.info/global/products/ns-1x/
    More about Multi Dimensional Processing - articles.boss.info/x-series-pedals-mdp-technology-explained/
    This video contains paid promotion from Boss
    More details on how CSGuitars implements product promotion - www.csguitars.co.uk/disclosure
    #noisegate #tata #scienceofloud
    Timecodes:
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:31 - Are Suppressors Different From Gates?
    01:00 - How Do Noise Gates Work?
    03:08 - What Noise Do Noise Gates Gate?
    05:22 - Where Does A Noise Gate Go On My Pedalboard?
    05:36 - Placing It EARLY In Your Signal Chain
    07:01 - Placing it AFTER Distortion
    07:35 - What Do SEND and RETURN Do?
    09:06 - Reverbs and Delays Come LAST
    09:47 - Summary of Noise Gate Placement
    10:03 - So What About This NS-1X Then?
    14:08 - Links and Conclusion
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    • @jamesmoses4066
      @jamesmoses4066 7 місяців тому

      You mentioned "switch-mode power supplies injecting noise into your power line"... I thought switch mode power supplies were the best types of power supplies on the market? Stuff like the Cioks DC7. How would they inject noise?

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому

      @@jamesmoses4066 If they are properly designed with an audio application in mind, like the Cioks units, then they shouldn't inject noise. Or at least will make a valiant attempt at filtering it out.
      However most people will experience SWPS initially through a cheap wall wart power supply which are designed as cheaply as possible as a throw in accessory to any number of electronic devices - these have not been designed to filter out the switching noise.
      The switching mechanic which allows SMPS to be lightweight and efficient can also cause fluctuations in power which aren't a problem if the PSU is just intended to charge a battery or power a lamp or whatever, but when used in audio applications it results in terrible switching noise.

    • @BillyTheKidsGhost
      @BillyTheKidsGhost 7 місяців тому

      Collin, could you please tell us if there is a difference between a pre-amp pedal and a distortion pedal? ...Or is running a pre-amp pedal into the front of an amp a bad thing?

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому

      @@BillyTheKidsGhost I did exactly that video a few months ago: ua-cam.com/video/4ayC1J6cFso/v-deo.html

  • @Gary-zq3pz
    @Gary-zq3pz 2 місяці тому

    Nice tip.Gonna use it on my Zoia(it's got a noise filter funtion, of course).

  • @JoshuaC923
    @JoshuaC923 7 місяців тому

    Oh yeah TATA is back!

  • @PigglyWigglyDeluxe
    @PigglyWigglyDeluxe 7 місяців тому +1

    TC Electronic has been doing this for years with their send/return. What’s new with the Boss that TCE doesn’t already do?

  • @Alpine-Movement
    @Alpine-Movement 3 місяці тому

    Hi Im wanting to use one with a loop , but send the 'input/ send' on AMP A's input but put the send from another AMP B into the return and then output through the pedal back into AMP B's return.
    Im using a stereo setup and the Zombie 2 is really noisy , whilst AMP A only has an OD1 in front of it.
    I understand that the pedal is like an X path and think that the signals wouldnt mix. Theoretically using it on 2 amps ( one in front using the naked guitar's noise floor) and the other in AMP B's noisy FX loop. Good eh???

  • @MocapLatte
    @MocapLatte 3 місяці тому

    Fantastic video ! when using FX loop, where would I put the EQ and Compressor ? and after what pedals ? tnx

  • @craigbaker9975
    @craigbaker9975 7 місяців тому

    Great video man! Informative, entertaining, and your logic seems spot-on! I was personally put my noise gate in my compressor at the end of the chain! If it wasn't such a pain in the ass to move pedals around on a pedalboard I'd try that! Are you absolutely positive about putting your compressor in front of your chain also? That just don't seem right. My signal chain is guitar, tuner, EQ, overdrive, distortions, compressor, noise gate, amp input. All Ambient effects I run to the effects loop. Do you have a separate video on compressors and how they work? I would so love to see that! Anyway awesome awesome video I really enjoyed it best one I've seen ever!

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому

      You've certainly got a unique approach to the order of your effects...
      Yeah, let's move your compressor and gate earlier in the chain and watch how everything works much better for you.
      Do you have a reason why you want to further compress your distorted signal?

    • @didodelima
      @didodelima 2 місяці тому

      Question; if I place in the beginning of my chain , will I only use guitar-input , out to the next one?

  • @TomsGreenMind
    @TomsGreenMind 7 місяців тому

    As an owner of a P90 guitar, I know you know of the noise they give out! Is a noise suppressor or noiseless pickups the best option to remedy this?

  • @Runoratsu
    @Runoratsu 7 місяців тому

    I‘m pretty sure we‘ll see a lot of evolution in noise suppression in the coming years. Noise vs. signal is something you can train neural networks pretty well on, and they, in turn, _can_ then actually filter the noise out, not just gate the complete signal. There‘s already some incredible advancements in image denoising coming in lately. And running a pre-trained NN is actually not that computation heavy-smartphones run tons of them for all kinds of stuff already. You don‘t need crazy fast processors or a lot of power for that.

  • @MadainSalih
    @MadainSalih 6 місяців тому

    Hi! what do you think of the KMA Pylon? i am undecided between it and the boss you treat in the video. I'm very interested in the channel switching capability that's in the Pylon.

  • @wido123123
    @wido123123 7 місяців тому +1

    One comment on the threshold, some (digital) noise gates have 2 thresholds, one for opening and one for closing. Which I found very handy, as it helps with tails and long vibratos

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому

      The iZotope gate I use on the post side has the open and close thresholds, which is super useful.
      It's great when it can be visualised in that way, but it would probably be difficult to implement properly on a compact stompbox.

    • @amphlett7
      @amphlett7 7 місяців тому +1

      I believe that’s called hysteresis in many gate plugins, Cool that pedals have that too!

  • @DJBuglip
    @DJBuglip 7 місяців тому

    Colin your metal chops are getting pretty solid, man! We should start a band.

  • @Spikehead777
    @Spikehead777 7 місяців тому +2

    I've always heard of sidechain compression, but never really put any thought into sidechain gating. I think I've fallen in love with this pedal.

    • @Nebvin
      @Nebvin 7 місяців тому +2

      Gates are an extreme type of expander, which is very similar in operation to a compressor (with a limiter being the extreme). They just working in the opposite way. One decreases volume when the volume is low, the other decreases volume when it's high. Most features that can be applied to a compressor can be applied to expanders as well.

    • @pimcramer2569
      @pimcramer2569 7 місяців тому +1

      How does side chain compression work? And what's the benefit. Can't find any good explanation online

    • @Nebvin
      @Nebvin 7 місяців тому +1

      @@pimcramer2569 the side chain is the signal used to trigger the compression. It will usually be either the input signal to the compressor (feed forward), or the output signal from the compressor (feed back). The signal can be modified in any way, just like a normal audio signal. It can have it's volume changed to increase/decrease the compression threshold, or it can be filtered so only certain frequencies will trigger compression, or it can be a totally different signal (like a kick drum causing the bass to drop in volume).

  • @davidgardell
    @davidgardell 7 місяців тому

    Really good video! 🔥🔥
    I was a bit surprised to find out it's 250 € 😅

  • @lichkrieg4898
    @lichkrieg4898 6 місяців тому

    I did 4 cable gating for a while. It works, but not for me. It's too much setup for minimal payoff as i only use my gate as feedback reduction. My NS-2 is too slow, so these days i just ride the volume or turn down the gain a little. I still keep it on to reduce feedback on the choppier riffs, but i can get by without if need be.

  • @jeant9946
    @jeant9946 6 місяців тому

    Hi, Collin..thx for a great video..i wanna ask..i just bought NS 1X , i use it in noise gate mode with a splitted coil humbucker guitar.. It is really good at diminishing the noise and help at playing stacatto riffs, but somehow it chopped my notes when playing high pitch melody line..any suggestions for this issue?thanks

  • @Chalepastel
    @Chalepastel 7 місяців тому

    hen i was first starting playing guitar, I was like 14, 15 and I wanted the cleanest "distorted" lead I could find
    now I'm 32 and the little "nggggggggggg" going through the amp is the best

  • @ManeshwarSingh
    @ManeshwarSingh 7 місяців тому

    How does this compare in design and feature to t.c. electronics Sentry? Which do you prefer?

  • @scottwhitlow8468
    @scottwhitlow8468 7 місяців тому

    This is a great explanation video! I was wondering - is it possible to do this on modelers with splitting the noise gate signal in half? I have the new Fender TMP and was wondering how I would set something like this up for high gain. Thanks!

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +1

      As far as modelers or plugins go, it really just comes down to whether or not they programmed it to do this or not.
      If you have a modeler that lets you place multiple copies of effects where ever, then I would just put 2 copies of the noise gate - one at the start of the chain and one after the distortion sources.
      One to catch the low level noise floor from the pickups, and the other just to tidy up the handling noise from the gain staging. I've seen plenty of people run physical pedalboards like that too.
      There's also a chance that the modellers will be more forgiving that physical equipment when it comes to handling noise from amplifiers and drive pedals, so you may only need one instance of a noise gate early in the chain.
      Unfortunately you'll just have to mess around with your Fender and see what it allows you to do.

    • @scottwhitlow8468
      @scottwhitlow8468 7 місяців тому

      @@ScienceofLoud Thank you for the detailed reply. Idea for a future video: How analog signals work vs digital (e.g. Amp signals vs digital amp modelers, etc)

  • @pimcramer2569
    @pimcramer2569 7 місяців тому

    Great explanation. Now a thought experiment: what would happen if a compressor had a send and return?

  • @gurnenthar9274
    @gurnenthar9274 7 місяців тому

    I've had several guitarists tell me they're not sure how their gate works, so I'll be sending this video, from now on...

  • @morismateljan6458
    @morismateljan6458 12 днів тому

    Can you confirm that decay knob affects BOTH attack and release, please? There is not a single word of it in the manual.
    The noise gate within my vintage Boss ME8 is beautiful, with only threshold parameter. When set to 100%, it would give beautiful, round attack, almost as a mini auto-swell.

  • @drtm1718
    @drtm1718 7 місяців тому

    Nice intro riff to "slaughter of the soul" at 8:58.

  • @allanflippin2453
    @allanflippin2453 7 місяців тому

    Colin,
    In the NS1X, is the DSP used for sensing only? Or is it also involved in the actual gate mechanism? What I'm wanting to know is if the digital is in the signal path. I'm sort of an analog purist and I'm trying to avoid my signal being digitized in the chain going to the amp.

    • @ScienceofLoud
      @ScienceofLoud  7 місяців тому +3

      1. I don't know for certain, but I'd imagine the signal IS being digitised as the MPD is analysing the waveform itself. Maybe the signal path is fully analogue and it analyses a digital copy, but who knows.
      2. That's something you probably want to get over at this point.

  • @christophercarty675
    @christophercarty675 7 місяців тому

    I use the send and return.

  • @luckymchl2074
    @luckymchl2074 День тому

    I use a Powerstage 170. How do I wire this for an amp without an Effects loop if I want to place it before and after my dirt/drive pedals? With delay and reverb after. Thanks

  • @diabeticmonkey
    @diabeticmonkey 7 місяців тому +4

    I would’ve loved to see you compare the NS1 vs NS2. Curious how they upgraded it.

    • @Ottophil
      @Ottophil 7 місяців тому

      They added lights

    • @lidbass
      @lidbass 7 місяців тому

      And the white paint is slightly whiter.

    • @Mark-zi6nt
      @Mark-zi6nt 5 місяців тому

      I can say that upgrading from NS-2 to Sentry was the best thing, it works better (kicks in and keeps sustain much better).
      Despite NS-2 being a cheap alternative and a classic, more modern stuff is worth overpaying slightly.
      Just wanted to share with you, on case you use the old Boss gate. :)

  • @sebastiandunbar8766
    @sebastiandunbar8766 6 місяців тому

    I’m debating between this and the revv g8

  • @bsmith8166
    @bsmith8166 16 днів тому

    Damn bro. That boss pedal seems like it's better than a plug-in.

  • @RohmanDarkwaltz
    @RohmanDarkwaltz 7 місяців тому +1

    This is a great video, thank you indeed! But what about the 4-cable method with Noise Gates?

    • @AeolianSeventh
      @AeolianSeventh 7 місяців тому +1

      7:35-9:05.

    • @RohmanDarkwaltz
      @RohmanDarkwaltz 7 місяців тому

      @@AeolianSeventh Appriciated, but I'm talking about when you have an FX loop on your amp etc. and put the "send" go to the amp input and the "output" to the amps FX loop return.

    • @AeolianSeventh
      @AeolianSeventh 7 місяців тому +1

      @@RohmanDarkwaltz It's the same principle, keeping in mind that the preamp (everything before the FX send, usually*) is a gain device just like a compressor or distortion pedal.
      The diagram at 8:06 is showing the four-cable method:
      -guitar to noise gate input, so the signal is sensed before any gain is applied;
      -noise gate send to pedals, which will add noise;
      -pedals to amp, which will add noise;
      -FX send, where hopefully all the noise has already been added, to noise gate return, where it will be gated;
      -noise gate output to delay, reverb, etc.;
      -delay, reverb, etc. to FX return, where the signal becomes loud.
      *I say usually because for some reason Soldanos have the FX loop right in the middle of the preamp, after most of the distortion but before the EQ. It's weird, and it's never worked well with any noise gate I've tried.