A good noise gate?

[FrankenFretter]

So now that my pedal count is above ten, and I have several dirt pedals, I think it's well past time for me to be looking for a noise gate. Being a frugal type guy, I'd prefer one of those "hidden gems" that aren't expensive, but I'll listen to everything that noise gate users have to say, good or bad. Thanks!

Now fire away!

[t_ross33]

Picked up a MXR Noise Clamp a couple months ago an have been really impressed with it. http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m195-noise-clamp

[Tig]

$79 is not bad. PG gave it a good review (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/Nov/MXR_Noise_Clamp_Pedal_Review.aspx).

Buy if...
you like to stack drive and fuzz pedals, but can’t deal with wild feedback problems.
Skip if...
you need a traditional noise gate to cut out background hiss from a noisy amp.
Rating...
https://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=329BB7EA-DA2D-444B-99D8-5FB1AC23F395&Image_Type=thumb

Also found this explaining the difference between their Smartgate and Noise Clamp:

1- Smartgate - you put this after your noisy pedals. The volume of your noisy pedal outputs have to cross a threshold for the Smartgate to open and let the sound through. This means that if your pedal noise changes (like turning boosts on and off) you'll need to set the threshold of the Smartgate pretty high to block the worst-case (highest) noise. This means small signals (all your boosts or distortions before the Smartgate are off) won't pass through the Smartgate and you won't hear those low volume signals (a bad thing).

2- Noise Clamp - you put your noisy pedals in the loop of this pedal. You use your raw guitar signal at the Noise Clamp trigger (threshold) input. This way you can have any combination of noisy effects on or off in the Noise Clamp loop but the volume of your playing level that triggers the Noise Clamp threshold to let the sound out to go to your amp is consistent. You'll be able to pass both quiet and loud notes from your guitar to your amp.

[Zip]

Try a Rocktron Hush pedal. Up to 65db cleanup vs. the MXR's 26db. I've used them for years, very reliable.

[riverrick]

+1 on the Rocktron

[FrankenFretter]

$79 is not bad. PG gave it a good review (http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/Nov/MXR_Noise_Clamp_Pedal_Review.aspx).

Buy if...
you like to stack drive and fuzz pedals, but can’t deal with wild feedback problems.
Skip if...
you need a traditional noise gate to cut out background hiss from a noisy amp.
Rating...
https://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=BC88FE94-0FEC-430C-8444-C2F2E505150D&Image_Type=thumbhttps://www.premierguitar.com/Stream/StreamImage.aspx?Image_ID=329BB7EA-DA2D-444B-99D8-5FB1AC23F395&Image_Type=thumb

Also found this explaining the difference between their Smartgate and Noise Clamp:

1- Smartgate - you put this after your noisy pedals. The volume of your noisy pedal outputs have to cross a threshold for the Smartgate to open and let the sound through. This means that if your pedal noise changes (like turning boosts on and off) you'll need to set the threshold of the Smartgate pretty high to block the worst-case (highest) noise. This means small signals (all your boosts or distortions before the Smartgate are off) won't pass through the Smartgate and you won't hear those low volume signals (a bad thing).

2- Noise Clamp - you put your noisy pedals in the loop of this pedal. You use your raw guitar signal at the Noise Clamp trigger (threshold) input. This way you can have any combination of noisy effects on or off in the Noise Clamp loop but the volume of your playing level that triggers the Noise Clamp threshold to let the sound out to go to your amp is consistent. You'll be able to pass both quiet and loud notes from your guitar to your amp.

That sounds similar the the Boss NS-2, which I've also heard good things about.

[sunvalleylaw]

I have liked my Boss NS-2.

[sixstringdrug]

+1 on the rocktron. Have useed it for awhile now with excellent results. I set the threshhold pretty low (about 9 o'clock) and only use it with my fuzz or single coil guitars.

[duhvoodooman]

I have liked my Boss NS-2.
+1. Effective and built like a tank, like most Boss pedals.

[FrankenFretter]

+1. Effective and built like a tank, like most Boss pedals.

The Boss seems to be a popular choice. I guess I'll start cruising EvilBay and CL for a used one.

Btw, love your new avatar, DVM!

[duhvoodooman]

Btw, love your new avatar, DVM!And it's true! Notables bands I saw in my youth:

Jimi Hendrix Experience (4/19/68, Troy NY)
Led Zeppelin (summer '69, between their 1st & 2nd albums)
Jeff Beck Group w/ Rod Stewart (also summer '69)
Chicago (original lineup including Terry Kath, Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine; they were still calling themselves C.T.A.)
Santana (original lineup + Neal Schon)
Jefferson Airplane (summer '70)
The Who (summer '70, "Tommy" days)
Frank Zappa & the Mothers ('71, as I recall)
J. Geils Band ('72, well before the "Freeze Frame" & "Centerfold" pop sellout)
The Grateful Dead ('74, twice)
Sly & the Family Stone ('71, they took me higher....)
Allman Bros. Band (Ramblin' Man vintage)
Eric Clapton (a couple years after 461 Ocean Blvd. came out)

....and on & on & on....

[Katastrophe]

I'll put in a vote for a Rocktron unit, if it's not too late.

I had what is now an old Hush II CX in my rack, and it worked great! My rig was dead quiet when I wasn't playing. There was a Gawd awful noise coming from it when I was playing, but, I assure you, it had nothing to do with the noise gate. ;)