Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

I have had the Boss Ns-2, ISP Decimator and ISP Decimator G-String.

out of the 3, the ISP G-string is a winner for me. No tone suck and doesnt affect the sustain what so ever. Its pretty much similar configuration to the Boss NS-2. Guitar input and output and effects loop and send.

Its more expensive than the Boss but to me, it was worth the investment.


Good luck
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

should the noise gate be placed in the effects loop of the amp?
Depending on the model.

The ISP Decimator has an Input, Output, ISP Send, ISP Return.

The way to connect it is:
Guitar --> ISP Input --> ISP Output --> Amp Input

Then:
ISP Send --> Amp Effects Loop Return --> Amp Effects Loop Send --> ISP Return.

That way, it sorta cleans up noise coming from the guitar and cleans up noise from the amp's preamp section.

Its designed to work that way.

ISP Tech guys done a really well job in the design of this pedal.

I've had mine since about 3 or 4 weeks after it came out and has not let me down at all.
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

Depending on the model.

The ISP Decimator has an Input, Output, ISP Send, ISP Return.

The way to connect it is:
Guitar --> ISP Input --> ISP Output --> Amp Input

Then:
ISP Send --> Amp Effects Loop Return --> Amp Effects Loop Send --> ISP Return.

That way, it sorta cleans up noise coming from the guitar and cleans up noise from the amp's preamp section.

Its designed to work that way.

ISP Tech guys done a really well job in the design of this pedal.

I've had mine since about 3 or 4 weeks after it came out and has not let me down at all.
wait I thought that pedal did not have the loop feature, only rack version did, ISP has same loop feature as NS2?
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

If you can afford to go ISP, to be honest the NS-2 isn't even up for consideration.
It's like comparing a Pentium processor to a Quad Core Extreme CPU.
The ISP is just so much further ahead performance wise.
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

Does the ISP G-String with the loop hook up the same way as the NS-2?

I wonder what makes the ISP better or different than the NS-2.
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

I've had the NS-2 for a long time. I hated it with my 5150; I thought it colored the tone. But with my ENGL screamer I don't really notice any interference. I keep the threshold very low anyway. Although I read mostly good things about the ISP
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

Depends what the problem is. I put mine in the loop to cut off amp hiss. This setup was hurting my cleans, so I put in a midi control switcher which takes the isp out for my clean patches. I use a Rocktron Hush for my cleans which is less effective for high gain but subtle enough for cleans. I HATE!!!! tube amp hiss.

should the noise gate be placed in the effects loop of the amp?
 
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Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

The regular Decimator does not, but you can put it in the loop. You just have to dial it differently. If all you are trying to do is quiet single coils or noisy front of amp pedals, you put it in front of the amp. If you want to quiet preamp hiss as well, put it in the loop.

Or check out the G-string model which which has ins and outs for both locations simultaneously.

wait I thought that pedal did not have the loop feature, only rack version did, ISP has same loop feature as NS2?
 
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Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

When I had both pedals in the transition to the ISP over the NS-2 I listened to the signal coming from each pedal via headphones and the NS-2 sucked a lot of lows and dulled the overall tone when it was off and when it was engaged it seemed to take these attributes to a higher level, but it was silencing noise and doing its job.

The ISP seemed to add a bit of noise when it was off, maybe that's just the buffer added output. When it was engaged it shaved such a tiny bit of lows off that would go virtually unnoticed when in use with an amp. The small amount of added noise when disengaged made me think wow my rig is really noisy, but check it out when the gate is on it's dead quiet, amazing! I use the regular Decimator and yes, it is in every way superior to the NS-2. I think boss will realize this down the road and come out with their own version of an advanced NS-2 to better compete with ISP. I'm sure they would call it the NS-3 or something. I love healthy competition!
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

What if you want the G-String, but have got nothing in your effects loop?

I straight up run everything through the input of my amp and it gives me the tone I need...
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

where's your noise problem? the amp or pedals? i had both an NS2 and now the decimator and the decimator sucks far less tone when you turn it up. i use mine at the end of the pedal chain in front of the amp and works like a charm since i stack overdrives and have several pedals which cause my noise problem.

-Mike
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

I'm pretty sure it's from the amp. I don't use too many dirt pedals, just a tube screamer.

My amp's only a bit noisy when I'm on the lead channel and it's cranked pretty good. I play a guitar with P90s and that doesn't help much for the noise.
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

You need to put it in your effects loop.

I'm pretty sure it's from the amp. I don't use too many dirt pedals, just a tube screamer.

My amp's only a bit noisy when I'm on the lead channel and it's cranked pretty good. I play a guitar with P90s and that doesn't help much for the noise.
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

Crap, I really wanted to avoid the gate thing, but my amp is noisy at the level that I love my tone at. How about Hush, I know that ISP guys are basically ex Hush, and Hush was suppose to be better than NS2 at the time .... no?
 
Re: Boss NS2 vs ISP decimator

For me the decimator pedal wins for sure over the boss, I haven't tried the rackmount yet. The ISP just sounds more natural and doesn't color the tone
 
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