Noise Gate Pedals: What's Your Poison?

[dronerstone]

@dronerstone here is my tech mini-review of sentry https://thegearforum.com/threads/tc-electronic-sentry-noise-gate.10335/

Analog filters operate directly on frequencies and can apply simple logic to remove certain patterns from a signal. Their main advantage, I’d say, is almost zero delay—but they’re also approximate.

Digital noise gates use program logic: they convert the analog signal into a digital stream in real time, process it, and then convert it back to analog. This introduces some delay (in the case of the Sentry, it’s about 2.6 ms) between hitting the strings and hearing the sound. With better sampling rates, better PCB design, and better code, you get better results.

The TC Sentry is an excellently built device that actually works. Digital processing can completely remove, for example, the sound of your hands sliding on the strings under heavy overdrive (MT-2 + Uberschall). Digital is the future.

Thanks for the write-up!

I have a Helix Floor and a Source Audio LA Lady, both are excellent at what they do. And I'm not opposing digital by principle, fwiw.

After all, I decided against the Sentry to keep my rig free of Music Tribe devices.

I've got a Magus Pro in my collection (as a Rat reference), but that's the only one, and it's not on my pedalboards.

 

[nikitasius]

After all, I decided against the Sentry to keep my rig free of Music Tribe devices.

Ahh okay — I just checked Google and it looks like it’s a local reddit/forum wibes.
Well, the gear is well-built and works fine, and that’s all that matters to me.
I don’t know… it’s better to refuse buying iPhones after the Foxconn suicides in China
Anyway, I respect your choice

 

[dronerstone]

Ahh okay — I just checked Google and it looks like it’s a local reddit/forum wibes.
Well, the gear is well-built and works fine, and that’s all that matters to me.
I don’t know… it’s better to refuse buying iPhones after the Foxconn suicides in China
Anyway, I respect your choice

Nah, definitely not a "local or Reddit" Phenomenon only. They get lots of flak, it's not a new thing.

And yes, no Apple devices in my house either, mainly due to their marketing practices, "fancy" corporate spirit and pricing.

 

[maddnotez]

For your budget I would agree with the Sentry, it worked really good and I didnt even get into the online patches.

I've tried a lot but none of the newer gates. Im currently keeping my eyes open as well.

Currently using and endless blockade and it works better than a lot I've tried but still not amazing, and pricey.

I dont think a perfect gate exists tbh. It always cripples my playing/sustain type of thing. Just stand very far away from your amp is the best gate

I may pick up a zuul tbh

 

[HotRats]

Hi! Whats the issue with digital NG?

Nothing wrong with digital but if, for whatever reasons, you like to keep your signal analogue from guitar to amp, a digital noise gate is a no-go.

I play both analogue and digital rigs and in my amp + pedalboard rig, I don't want digital pedals, unless they have an analogue dry path like delays or reverbs.

When the sentry came out I bought one because I thought it was analogue (don't ask me why) and immeditaly returned it when I realized that was digital, LOL
By bad.

 

[nikitasius]

Nothing wrong with digital but if, for whatever reasons, you like to keep your signal analogue from guitar to amp, a digital noise gate is a no-go.

I play both analogue and digital rigs and in my amp + pedalboard rig, I don't want digital pedals, unless they have an analogue dry path like delays or reverbs.

When the sentry came out I bought one because I thought it was analogue (don't ask me why) and immeditaly returned it when I realized that was digital, LOL
By bad.

for whatever reasons, you like to keep your signal analogue from guitar to amp

I really want to know the reasons. Is it just for an “ANALOG ONLY” sticker?

 

[Desertdweller]

I’ve used a lot of noise gates, and any that register the input and use it to close down a gate in the loop are perfect.

The Boss MS3 has the best version of this I’ve heard. The gate in the fractal units when set to register the input are right there with it too.

For analog, the Decimator G string or any of it’s copies are outstanding.

 

[HotRats]

I really want to know the reasons. Is it just for an “ANALOG ONLY” sticker?

No stickers here, is just a matter of immediacy, tone, feel (and voodoo of course)

No AD/DA means no latency and no "disconnection" (I don't have a better word, sorry) between your instrument, the amp and all pieces in the chain.

Digital is great, sometimes is better than analogue but surely the two things are not equal, just like placing a pedal in a different position in your chain can alter your tone/feel/voodoo.

Analogue/electrical signals are a strange beast, almost magical.

Anything matter.

 

[dronerstone]

No stickers here, is just a matter of immediacy, tone, feel (and voodoo of course)

No AD/DA means no latency and no "disconnection" (I don't have a better word, sorry) between your instrument, the amp and all pieces in the chain.

Digital is great, sometimes is better than analogue but surely the two things are not equal, just like placing a pedal in a different position in your chain can alter your tone/feel/voodoo.

Analogue/electrical signals are a strange beast, almost magical.

Anything matter.

This!

I have a few digital boxes on my board, but it's a huge setup consisting of 18 pedals, 5 of which are digital.

As you said, ADA latency adds up, so I'm trying my best to buy analog, at least as far as possible.

 

[nikitasius]

No stickers here, is just a matter of immediacy, tone, feel (and voodoo of course)

No AD/DA means no latency and no "disconnection" (I don't have a better word, sorry) between your instrument, the amp and all pieces in the chain.

Digital is great, sometimes is better than analogue but surely the two things are not equal, just like placing a pedal in a different position in your chain can alter your tone/feel/voodoo.

Analogue/electrical signals are a strange beast, almost magical.

Anything matter.

Well, analog signals travel at different speeds depending on the wire’s material and thickness. This is related to the skin effect, so the propagation delay will vary with the type of wire.

The numbers are small, but the latency is still there, and it varies by frequency.

When you use a DSP gateway, you add about 1–3 ms of latency.

Your skin reaction time is around 100 ms, your visual reaction time is roughly 500 ms, and your auditory reaction time is about 150 ms.

So when you play guitar, you’re already dealing with at least about 50 ms of natural desynchronization, plus an extra 1–2% latency added to your hearing.

 

[HotRats]

Well, analog signals travel at different speeds depending on the wire’s material and thickness. This is related to the skin effect, so the propagation delay will vary with the type of wire.

The numbers are small, but the latency is still there, and it varies by frequency.

When you use a DSP gateway, you add about 1–3 ms of latency.

Your skin reaction time is around 100 ms, your visual reaction time is roughly 500 ms, and your auditory reaction time is about 150 ms.

So when you play guitar, you’re already dealing with at least about 50 ms of natural desynchronization, plus an extra 1–2% latency added to your hearing.

Ok, that's cool, that's the part we can't avoid or don't even perceive because is part of how we are made.

Then there's the latency added by a digital device.

And trust me, 0 added latency is better that >0.

 

[BahamaDada]

Boss NS2

Why is it outdated?

IIRC it's no "real" noise gate (read that somewhere so - grain of salt), but it does the NG job for me quite nice.

 

[dronerstone]

Boss NS2

Why is it outdated?

IIRC it's no "real" noise gate (read that somewhere so - grain of salt), but it does the NG job for me quite nice.

I've read a few reviews that mentioned it being a classic, but preferring "modern" gates.

 

[adam]

Forgot to say it was the Sentry.

I had issues with my sentry really killing the tone in 4cm. Like a huge drop of volume when engaged

Nothing wrong with digital but if, for whatever reasons, you like to keep your signal analogue from guitar to amp, a digital noise gate is a no-go.

I play both analogue and digital rigs and in my amp + pedalboard rig, I don't want digital pedals, unless they have an analogue dry path like delays or reverbs.

When the sentry came out I bought one because I thought it was analogue (don't ask me why) and immeditaly returned it when I realized that was digital, LOL
By bad.

I don't know if this was the reason why, but I noticed a huge tone suck and volume drop of about 5db when mine was engaged. I did a factory reset (bought used) and it didn't fix it. I've heard one or two others had a similar issue when using it in 4cm, which would occasionally resolve itself and then come back.

I sent it straight back and stuck with my moose noise killers which I've been running for about 12 years now, and it's been great (albeit no 4cm options.)

 

[dronerstone]

moose noise killers

The nickname was legendary while it lasted, but finally police caught them because the murders were too loud.

PS: Band name much?

 

[BahamaDada]

I've read a few reviews that mentioned it being a classic, but preferring "modern" gates.

Hm, yes, as I said I read somewhere, that it is not "a real gate". To be totally honest: I don't understand what that means. I use it as a normal gate in front of my amp and in the loop. But... I don't play super high gain chugs. Mostly it's "normal" high gain, which it just gates quite nicely. It's no fast gate, though. I wouldn't play Djent with it. Or... I haven't tried to play Djent with it by now.

 

[dronerstone]

Hm, yes, as I said I read somewhere, that it is not "a real gate". To be totally honest: I don't understand what that means. I use it as a normal gate in front of my amp and in the loop. But... I don't play super high gain chugs. Mostly it's "normal" high gain, which it just gates quite nicely. It's no fast gate, though. I wouldn't play Djent with it. Or... I haven't tried to play Djent with it by now.

True, I believe many younger folks are mainly looking for a "djent gate" these days.

I don't really care, so if the Ibanez PT Gate isn't good, I might look at the Boss NS-2 as well. A "boomer gate" might work fine for me.

 

[metropolis_4]

Got the Deci-mate yesterday and it does the thing. I didn’t notice a change in tone, when I set it to where it eliminates the noise I need it still allows as soft and subtle as I need to ring true and decay naturally. I could easily leave it on.

I tested it with a comp, EQ boost, Klone, LightSpeed, and Eighty7 all on at the same time. Does everything I need it to do, I’m happy!

 

[maddnotez]

Boss NS2

Why is it outdated?

IIRC it's no "real" noise gate (read that somewhere so - grain of salt), but it does the NG job for me quite nice.

It's worked well for me but I've also had issues with it. I can't remember exactly which amp but some amps do not like that pedal.

I dont know shit about loops but I think it has something to do with what type of loop the amp has. Series vs parallel maybe idk? But that pedal can be amp dependant from my experience.

 

[dronerstone]

True, I believe many younger folks are mainly looking for a "djent gate" these days.

I don't really care, so if the Ibanez PT Gate isn't good, I might look at the Boss NS-2 as well. A "boomer gate" might work fine for me.

PT Gate just arrived and of course my board was already prepared, so I just had to connect the cables and set the threshold to give it a quick spin.

Here's where it gets geek AF: I keep my drives in a loop switcher that can add an analog upper octave in parallel. I put the gate in there, with the drive signal going through the PT Gate loop, basically building a loop inside a loop.

The trigger sees a buffered signal coming from the Digitech FreqOut.

First impression is REALLY good. Opens and closes very quickly, but it's not as abrupt as some of the djent gates.

I bought b-stock for 70€, instead of the usual 90€.

Zero complaints at this point.