Noise gate.

[Davey Rock]

Ok so I notice that I've been posting quite a bit, but honestly the only reason that I come here is to have a question answered, ask one, or to engage conversation with fellow musicians both home and professional. I ask on this platform when I can't find a straight forward answer that makes since online.

So I have a pretty basic 90s themed setup for high distortion. From guitar I go straight into ibanez ts9, into boss ds-1, into rowin noise gate.

The sound reminds me if Kurt played in the band hum. The gain is thick, high frequency clarity (surprisingly), and almost emotional.

BASIC QUESTION
But there is one problem. When I engage the noise gate, I usually start by turning the amp up to my desired volume, then the gain, then best the gate all the way to the left (no gate) and gradually increase the effect until I notice a change in sound. Basically the feedback continues to screech until a certain point (around 3 o clock) but after I get the screeching to stop, it doesn't do anything but turn the volume of my amp down. It has a hard gate and soft gate, and this doesn't appear to do anything different. I can't tell.

Am I doing it wrong? Is it the pedal? I want the volume to not be affected by the pedal. All I want is for the feedback to stop squeeling. I don't care if I can still hear my hands moving across the strings as this doesn't bother me. It actually helps with that trashy garage band sound I'm going for. All I want is the screeching to stop without anything else being effected.

I read somewhere that a gate knocks off the signal completely until it is played, and the faster it turns on and off, the higher quality it is.
And a suppressor only QUIETS the signal until it is played.

Any feedback will be appreciated. Any one who has had experience with specific gates/suppressors that are amazing, then I would thank you for the suggestion.

 

[TXOldRedRocker]

So in my research and use, I came to the conclusion that the two best noise gates are the TC Electronics Sentry, and the ISP Decimator line, which there are two. I have three pedalboards, and use one TC Electronics Sentry on an amp with no FX loop. It works great. Very controllable. I use two ISP Decimator II G Strings on the other two boards with amps that have an FX loop. The G Strings track the input from your guitar signal and use it as a base line, and cleans up any noise above it when the signal goes back into the FX loop. Neither are the cheapest around, but they really work well. From what I have seen, unfortunately, the Rowin can frequently add noise to the signal, even though it's a noise gate. If you have the budget, depending on your needs, I would look into the Sentry, or either one of the two models of the ISP Decimator. My 2 cents.

 

[tolm]

I can highly recommend one of these:

MXR® NOISE CLAMP

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...

www.jimdunlop.com

Put your Gain pedals in its loop and set the Threshold to minimum ... because the input signal being monitored is your “raw” guitar signal there is ZERO noise on that and hence the Threshold can be very low. As soon as you play a note the gate is opened and all the lovely distortion-y goodness is applied to your guitar tone. Stop playing and the Loop shuts again for total silence.

Used one for a screechy Fuzz pedal and worked like a charm.

 

[Freddy G]

Feedback? sounds like your pickups are microphonic. If that's the case a noise gate isn't going to help you without affecting bonafide guitar signal as well.

 

[Davey Rock]

Feedback? sounds like your pickups are microphonic. If that's the case a noise gate isn't going to help you without affecting bonafide guitar signal as well.

I've tested them for micophonics and they seem really tight. They are not wax potted entirely, as they do not have covers, but any type of interaction with the pole pieces or wires or tape, they will have wax around them and kinda looks white and crushed like if you took a pencil along a candle and Drew on it.

 

[Davey Rock]

I can highly recommend one of these:

MXR® NOISE CLAMP

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...

www.jimdunlop.com

Put your Gain pedals in its loop and set the Threshold to minimum ... because the input signal being monitored is your “raw” guitar signal there is ZERO noise on that and hence the Threshold can be very low. As soon as you play a note the gate is opened and all the lovely distortion-y goodness is applied to your guitar tone. Stop playing and the Loop shuts again for total silence.

Used one for a screechy Fuzz pedal and worked like a charm.

I appreciate it man. I'll take a look at your guys suggestions

 

[Davey Rock]

Alr

So in my research and use, I came to the conclusion that the two best noise gates are the TC Electronics Sentry, and the ISP Decimator line, which there are two. I have three pedalboards, and use one TC Electronics Sentry on an amp with no FX loop. It works great. Very controllable. I use two ISP Decimator II G Strings on the other two boards with amps that have an FX loop. The G Strings track the input from your guitar signal and use it as a base line, and cleans up any noise above it when the signal goes back into the FX loop. Neither are the cheapest around, but they really work well. From what I have seen, unfortunately, the Rowin can frequently add noise to the signal, even though it's a noise gate. If you have the budget, depending on your needs, I would look into the Sentry, or either one of the two models of the ISP Decimator. My 2 cents.

Alright man I appreciate it. I'll check it out. I'll take any feedback I can get. No pun intended. Man that's sounds bad out loud

 

[Mockbel]

I spent so long time experimenting and researching noise gates... best results I had were using MXR Smart Gate first thing in chain and ISP Decimator GString to control the rest of the rig..
Important conclusion: There is NO noise gate that will give you acceptable results without affecting your tone.. NONE
Now I took the ISP out of chain and rely only on the MXR ar beginning of chain and I am satisfied with results (not 100% noise elimination but almost no tone sucking)

 

[Davey Rock]

I spent so long time experimenting and researching noise gates... best results I had were using MXR Smart Gate first thing in chain and ISP Decimator GString to control the rest of the rig..
Important conclusion: There is NO noise gate that will give you acceptable results without affecting your tone.. NONE
Now I took the ISP out of chain and rely only on the MXR ar beginning of chain and I am satisfied with results (not 100% noise elimination but almost no tone sucking)

Excellent. Like I said I only care about feedback, and any other noise I make myself is fine. I just want the noise when I don't play, gone. I'll take a look at this too.