Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
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Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
Noise can be a problem with improper gain staging, or proximity to transformers or some types of monitors or lighting. I tend to avoid noise gates because they seem to always be a compromise. I try to eliminate the source of the noise.
Noise can be a problem with improper gain staging, or proximity to transformers or some types of monitors or lighting. I tend to avoid noise gates because they seem to always be a compromise. I try to eliminate the source of the noise.
Jacew
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I agree. I avoided them, but just got enough of how noisy EHX pedals I'm using are.
In the end, that Rocktron turned out to be not an issue at all tonewise. It's not traditional noise gate, and my rig just sounds better with it on, though I can't or test say how much of that is because of the lack of noise.
I tried ISP Decimator and it was pretty much useless despite the hype.
I agree. I avoided them, but just got enough of how noisy EHX pedals I'm using are.
In the end, that Rocktron turned out to be not an issue at all tonewise. It's not traditional noise gate, and my rig just sounds better with it on, though I can't or test say how much of that is because of the lack of noise.
I tried ISP Decimator and it was pretty much useless despite the hype.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I agree about the Decimator being way overhyped. I don't think it's useless. In my opinion, it does work, but then again, it's just a noise gate. There's nothing special about it. I don't think 100% transparent either. While the NS-2 seems to make everything a bit darker and fatter, the Decimator kinda makes everything very slightly brighter. If you have it in the chain, and it's turned off, everything's noisier than with it out of the chain too.
I agree about the Decimator being way overhyped. I don't think it's useless. In my opinion, it does work, but then again, it's just a noise gate. There's nothing special about it. I don't think 100% transparent either. While the NS-2 seems to make everything a bit darker and fatter, the Decimator kinda makes everything very slightly brighter. If you have it in the chain, and it's turned off, everything's noisier than with it out of the chain too.
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Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
My findings too.
I sold my ISP a couple years back and don't miss it at all.
My findings too.
I sold my ISP a couple years back and don't miss it at all.
Blille
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
Lol
So a gate will just cut off when there is no sound. That’s great for moderate hiss. Do you have more of 60hz hum? Maybe what you need is an EHX Hum debugger.
Lol
So a gate will just cut off when there is no sound. That’s great for moderate hiss. Do you have more of 60hz hum? Maybe what you need is an EHX Hum debugger.
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I would go with the ISP Decimator II G string. I've tried a lot of noise reducers and the pedal, and more so, the rack unit are the best by far. They don't color your tone at all, do exactly what you need, and address noise in front of the amp (from overdrive, distortion, etc.) and in the loop. (For high gain preamp noise) Well worth the money and extra cables.
I would go with the ISP Decimator II G string. I've tried a lot of noise reducers and the pedal, and more so, the rack unit are the best by far. They don't color your tone at all, do exactly what you need, and address noise in front of the amp (from overdrive, distortion, etc.) and in the loop. (For high gain preamp noise) Well worth the money and extra cables.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
Also, try not to sit too close to your computer.
then keep things simple. Plug straight in and sort out the hum later when you are mixing.
Also, try not to sit too close to your computer.
Jacew
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I guess it's aimed more at the noisy high gain setups. In my setup I had to keep the level so low it didn't do nothing in order to maintain reasonable sustain.
I guess it's aimed more at the noisy high gain setups. In my setup I had to keep the level so low it didn't do nothing in order to maintain reasonable sustain.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
Which version did you use?
The G-String version is hands down the best pedal based gate on the market.
If you used the regular version, it doesn’t have the same feature set.
The g-string tracks both in front of the amp for guitar signal noise and the Fx loop for preamp noise.
It’s dead simple to operate. One knob. I typically have the knob set to about 10:30-ish. Works perfect.
Which version did you use?
The G-String version is hands down the best pedal based gate on the market.
If you used the regular version, it doesn’t have the same feature set.
The g-string tracks both in front of the amp for guitar signal noise and the Fx loop for preamp noise.
It’s dead simple to operate. One knob. I typically have the knob set to about 10:30-ish. Works perfect.
Jacew
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
ISP Decimator II. Aside normal in and out jacks, it has two 3,5mm jacks that say link in and out? I have no idea what they are for.
ISP Decimator II. Aside normal in and out jacks, it has two 3,5mm jacks that say link in and out? I have no idea what they are for.
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I’m not sure what the 3.5mm jacks are?
But I can tell you for sure that the G-String is far superior. And far more expensive but IMO worth it.
I had an issue with one of my input jacks. And of course it was out of warrantee as it was an older unit. I contacted ISP and they fixed it for me...not for free but it was only about $35. But I asked them to replace all 4 jacks and completely check the unit out.
I’m not sure what the 3.5mm jacks are?
But I can tell you for sure that the G-String is far superior. And far more expensive but IMO worth it.
I had an issue with one of my input jacks. And of course it was out of warrantee as it was an older unit. I contacted ISP and they fixed it for me...not for free but it was only about $35. But I asked them to replace all 4 jacks and completely check the unit out.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I have the standard Decimator 1 (non-G-string) pedal. Don't get me wrong, I use it, and it works. I simply don't find it to be the be all end all some people describe it as. JMO.
I have the standard Decimator 1 (non-G-string) pedal. Don't get me wrong, I use it, and it works. I simply don't find it to be the be all end all some people describe it as. JMO.
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Gtrjunior
New member
Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I’m saying that the G-String version is the one to get. The prior versions are one trick ponies. It’s either in the loop or out front...the G-String is capable of both as is the NS-2.
I have 2 NS-2 units and they work great too. I just find that the ISP has a softer gate.
I’m saying that the G-String version is the one to get. The prior versions are one trick ponies. It’s either in the loop or out front...the G-String is capable of both as is the NS-2.
I have 2 NS-2 units and they work great too. I just find that the ISP has a softer gate.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
If it is chopping notes off I would play the input levels of your interface and with the settings and placement of the noise gate in Amplitube. Not sure putting a hardware gate in front will be any better than using the one in Amplitube. I haven't used Amplitube in years, but you might see if you can set the "sense" to the input and have the gate after the amp, like you would with a NS or a G-string.
If it is chopping notes off I would play the input levels of your interface and with the settings and placement of the noise gate in Amplitube. Not sure putting a hardware gate in front will be any better than using the one in Amplitube. I haven't used Amplitube in years, but you might see if you can set the "sense" to the input and have the gate after the amp, like you would with a NS or a G-string.
Nacho8807
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
I've never had any issues with my old original version Decimator. I used it with a Rectifier, 5150 II, Marshall DSL, and Fender Hot Rod and it did exactly what it was supposed to do; cut noise and not get in the way. I don't play without it on anymore.
I've never had any issues with my old original version Decimator. I used it with a Rectifier, 5150 II, Marshall DSL, and Fender Hot Rod and it did exactly what it was supposed to do; cut noise and not get in the way. I don't play without it on anymore.
Jacew
New member
Re: Buying a Boss Ns-2 is a good idea?
Does the G-string has actually two gates or is the loop for front of the amp only for picking up the signal (as I've understood)?
The Hush X2 I have does have two gates so I could use it to gate both, but having it at minimum setting before the fx loop return already cuts out all the noise perfectly well, so I haven't got a need for that.
I read about it and the 3.5 mm jacks are for linking two decimators together, so one in the loop and one in front work together in some way...
Does the G-string has actually two gates or is the loop for front of the amp only for picking up the signal (as I've understood)?
The Hush X2 I have does have two gates so I could use it to gate both, but having it at minimum setting before the fx loop return already cuts out all the noise perfectly well, so I haven't got a need for that.
I read about it and the 3.5 mm jacks are for linking two decimators together, so one in the loop and one in front work together in some way...
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