Do you use a gate in your chain? Have you used the double gate technique before or are you doing it differently? Leave a comment here and then go tell Glenn you saw me touching his knob.
I use 2 gates. It's easier to control the preamp and guitar noise that way - I use a cheap mooer gate for preamp noise and an ISP Decimator for guitar noise. I used to run the Boss NS2 in the 4 cable method but it was very limited in it's useage.
So... what else is new? I thought this was something else. I've been using the double gate technique with my NS-2 for almost 20 years. Although I just "lost" 10 mins watching the video I'm still going to tell Glenn that I saw you touching his knob. ; )
Same...for years. An ISP Decimator II (into an EVH 5150III 100 watt Stealth) with an MXR 10 band EQ (black) and another Decimator II in the loop, linked together with the first one).
This is called key gating. It's not 2 gates it's just using the far more dynamic input signal to "tell" the gate when to open and close. A studio technique employed for decades. I love the pedal concept though. Fortin and others have done it too. Honestly, almost no other gate design should exist at this point. Although a key filter would actually be a really good idea on these too.
When he said "why would a bass player use a gate", that shit hurted. And it hurt even more when I realized that I have 9 pedals on my board and no noise gate.
I've used many noise gates with Blackstar amps. None really worked well , either I still got noise or too sudden of a signal cut off, signal slap.... that is until I found the TC electronics Sentry... Best Gate I've come across. Works like a charm with a strat
You are reeealy good in explaining and showing, also video length, joking and going in depth. Also on other vid's like locking tuners and so on. Just wanted to let you know, because it's hard enuff with a granny like that...
And why the fuck didn’t you tell anyone? You thought you can get away with this secret for the rest of your life? You do the hell do you think you are?
I run two decimator 2s..one in front of my amp and one in my fx loop. I could've got the G string for the same price but I figured having two knobs is better than just one. I used to use two ns-2s and this has been a huge improvement.
@@McGuinty2 The Cock Blocker doesn't work like that. It works just like a Decimator G-string. It's not gating both ends. Trey knows that.. Idk why he went with that title. There's reasons to use 2 NS-2 pedals (although the NS-50 would've been better).. He could've been using pedals in front of the amp, and needed them in the loop of the NS-2, or he could've just wanted them set at different Thresholds, or to have the ability to turn one off while leaving the other on.. or he just didn't know about the "X pattern", aka the original "4CM".
I use this technique with my sentry, it's super effective. Sometime I accidentally put on my HM2 and my MT2 together and there is no noise (until I hit the strings).
I tried doing the same with the Sentry but I was getting ground loops between the fx loop and guitar-amp line... So the gate added more noise than it removed... Did you have this issue? Are you using some sort of iso transformer in your chain?
Since a few years also available from a german factory called Lichtlärm. They build the "Key & Gate" Pedal, an awesome pedal, which is used by many artist on stage.
I’ve been using the Boss NS-2 for a few years now in the four cable method and I don’t know how I went without one before. The only downside is it kills dynamics. If you want to roll off the guitar volume to clean up the tone you need to turn off the gate while you do this.
Yeah but that's just a gate thing, that's not specific to any particular gate. Someday someone will invent a magical gate that will let you do both hahaha
Gear Gods maybe a noise suppressor with a built in volume pedal that dynamically adjusts and reduces the gate as you reduce the volume 🤷🏻♂️ Does the job of being a volume pedal and a gate all in one unit the same size as a normal volume pedal. I would buy that.
@@adamalexanderray yeah I actually have entertained that idea but I'm not sure how many it would sell, probably a small number of people who play high gain that dynamically, probably not worth the R&D
@@adamalexanderrayProbably wouldn’t be that hard to do, you’d have to have a pedal attached to a double ganged pot like the gain control on the Klon Centaur and wire it so one side is the volume control for the guitar out/send jack and the other side of the pot controls the gate
I think that when you put it in the signal chain it adds a different kind of noise, more annoying, until of course it takes it out. Have you noticed that or is it just me?
Great to see this - thanks!! I use a modeller & I use 2 noise gates in the chain the same way you’ve used this ie I placed one after the amp & the other before the amp 👌🏼 works perfect
Yes I double gate my 5150 3 amp plus my precision drive also has gate. Set all 3 gates correctly and it sounds amazing especially if I stack overdrives
Just keep in mind that it's not really a "double gate".. just a triggered gate. If that's what you want, try the ISP Decimator G-string (or "Hum Extractor/Decimator G"), Highwind Phalanx, or Lichtlaerm Key and Gate. If you really need a "Double Gate", either get a real 4CM gate, like the Boss NS-2 or NS-1X, TC Sentry, Revv G8 (or Joyo "Legal Done"), etc.. Basically, anything with a "Send and Return", then you can wire both inputs and outputs from the guitar into the frontof the amp, and in the loop. But, if you need 2 separate gates in one pedal/box, the GUPtech SUN2 is the best, especially for the price (unless you want to go with rackmount gates, like DBX). Godspeed!
I use a TC Electronic Iron Curtain in my amps fx loop send. I use a Boss NS-2 for the input. Both hidden in my amp. I have a photo of it on my JRPowell3_music Instagram. It is a great technique. I used to run my ADA MP-1 preamp through the NS-2 at a lower volume more like a pedal level. Then sent it to my Tubeworks Realtube II preamp with stereo fx loop. I used additional Noise Reduction with the Hush in my Rocktron Replifex and also in the Intellifex. So, technically 3 gates there. I miss that rack setup. Unfortunately, my ADA MP-1s are super noisey now. I plan to revive my rack and use Synergy Syn-2 and Syn 50/50 amp.
Great video! But it would've been nice, if you would've shown the sustain of it now... Like just holding and note and seeing where the gate cuts it off
Hello Trey, great video! Have one issue that's pissin' me off: how to properly connect the noise gate into a looper switcher with 4 cables method and no amp fx/loop (i don't have fx/loop, is all in front of the amp). My current chain is: Guitar --> Input gate, Send gate --> Input looper, after that i have all the ODs and Distortions pedals into the switcher's L1, L2 and L3 Then i go with Return gate --> Send Loop4, Output gate --> Return Loop4. WIth this chain it actually works. I don't have any noise, it's all quiet but it seems is eating a lot of signal that came out from the distortion pedals and I need to turn threshold knob almost all way down to close the gate. I don't know if it does exist any other method to connect properly the gate after the ODs/Dist pedals, using a looper switcher. Hope you can help me! Cheers!
Hm. I'm thinking. I am convinced... if I would play live. What I don't do anymore. Is this thing better than using ReaFIR after the fact? I'm thinking about trying to find that out... Thanx for the video. Very informativ. And be nice to Glen... he is Canadian. :-)
Double gating is new to me, I've used the BOSS NS-2 on my pedal board and have been looking for something else. So I'll be trying this technique as well as the Cockblocker, sadly I'll be waiting 3 months. lol
@@simon_patterson No. You can actually gate both ends with the NS-2, whereas the Cock Blocker only gates one end (the Guitar In and Out only helps the gate open and close faster.. It doesn't actually "gate" anything itself).
I just use a standard old Decimator in the loop, and I don't have any problems as far a sound goes. The only problem is I have to turn it off every time I change to the clean channel
When the guitar is being played, the noise still exist, just buried in the sound. It's a constant battle for us all. I mean it sounds 500% better, but still.
@@fishdicks4621 Then you're killing part of your sound. Must be done to a degree, but don't want to end up with no treble. (Like killing 8 db of 6.0k hiss etc)
@@19MadMike95 That's why they said parametric. You can narrow the Q band to the point that almost no audible difference is heard in the neighboring frequencies. It's like using one of those 31 band graphic EQs. Those are almost exclusively used to remove the single bands of feedback unique to each venue. Every place will have different frequencies that feed back into the mic and equipment base on their dimensions and angles, but because a 31 band uses smaller increments than a typical 7 or 10 band EQ, you can find and isolate the frequencies that feed back and remove them without greatly affecting the neighboring bands. A parametric EQ let's you sweep the frequency spectrum in-between where a smaller graphic EQ can be controlled, and a narrow Q band will allow you to single out what frequency or frequencies are being produced by your gear. This way, even if you play soft palm mutes with incredible amounts of gain, the hum of the pedal or preamp is removed while still maintaining the playing dynamics and tone. We use techniques like this in studio to get "clean" tracks, as a constant hum behind the notes will be more noticeable with a regular gate cutting it off between notes. Live, you're probably best off with a rack mount 31-band or parametric EQ in the effects loop. It can be pricey, but when you hear - or don't hear - what a noise-free rig is like, it's hard to go back. As for how well an EQ works? Remember those "Hey Alexa" commercials? They removed a select frequency band in the commercials so that they wouldn't activate your device if you already had one. The voice still sounds fine to our ears, but there's a hole in the spectrum that the device is made to recognize as being on a commercial and not a real command. Fortunately, we're not as finely tuned as a robot, so we're often none the wiser.
@@CosmicWaltz7 My whole point, was that the noise still exists as the original poster said. My implication was that you should fight to remove the noise, instead of pretending its not there when your not playing. I'm very aware of how graphic and parametric EQs work.
The ISP Decimator stuff is really good at keeping that to a minimum.. As far as specific frequencies, the DBX "AFS-2" is probably the best pro level gate.. constantly adjusting problematic frequencies, even while playing.
Wow thanks! I’ve been trying to figure out how to eliminate the softer snowy like noise coming from the amp. I guess all along I needed to use 2 noise gates or have one that can do both like this one. Thanks for helping me solve this issue!
How do I combine this technique with my "regular" pedals though? (distortion/OD) etc. What about effects that are used in the FX loop normally (delay, chorus)
That's awesome. The T.C. Electronics G System does that when using the 4 cable method and I always thought it would be cool if a pedal was able to do it too.
I wish it was that simple! I have a G string. On my Marshall DSL 20 going into torpedo captor. When the OD comes in front, with the tiny extra gain push, the noise gate loses its sensitivity or gets over loaded i guess! Meaning when i scrub my fingers on strings, they are noisy and if i wanna kill that noise, i have to push the gate, and eventually i end up losing lots of low ends and dynamic sound. Still couldn’t figure out why…i didn’t have this issue with my ENGL iron ball and it’s built in attenuator. At least not that much.
hey electrical deity my amp has an inbuilt gate (bugera 333xl infinum) and I also have a mxr noise clamp pedal and I still get lots of squeal the second im not playing, ive reduced it by not being a noob who keeps his pedals on his head anymore but its still quite bad, please advise this mere mortal on what else I can do, drives my house mates nuts when the second I stop playing unearthed riffs my amp starts screaming like an unholy demon, thanks
I used that amp for a little over a year (before getting a real JSX, then a XXXII). The Noise Clamp is meant for using with noisy distortion pedals.. Run an MXR Smart Gate in front, then crank up the amp's "gate" to 10 (and turn up the Presence to make up for any high end "tone loss"). Problem solved!
Only if it has separate Thresholds... or if the Gate has a "Send and Return" (aka A "4CM" Gate). Gates like the Cock Blocker don't "gate" both ends. Idk why he advertised it like that.
i plug my pedalboard to the front of the amp (clean channel) i have a mxr 5150 overdrive and a isp decimator, do i need to put the isp con the effects loop even though i'm on the clean channel? or do i put it infront? please i need some advice haha
Since the 5150 OD has a Gate, you could run the Decimator before the 5150, or just turn the 5150's gate off and run the Decimator right after that. If that's your only source of distortion, then there's no reason to use it in the amp's loop.
novice relative to you, so ive gigged and i own a pre amp,, but wondering when or why you'd run your pre amp when playing live to your amp unless you need a recording or something wild and even if recording id just put the pre amp off a mixer output. or maybe im just fried on this one. i only think of pre amps to use in recording for digital..
NO! That's NOT a "Double Gate" (or Dual Gate)... It's just a "triggered" (or "keyed") gate, like the ISP Decimator G-string, Lichtlaerm Key and Gate, Fortin Zuul & Zuul+, Highwind Phalanx, and many more (mostly using a THAT 4301 or 4305S circuit). Few brands offer a Dual Gate, especially in pedal form (and I'm not talking about running a Boss NS-2 or Rocktron "Guitar Silencer", using the "real" 4CM, which does work). For a "double gate", I think using 2 ISP Decimator II pedals (one in front of the amp, and the other in the loop.. Linked together with a 3.5mm TRS cable) will work best with any high gain amp, in any situation. However, if you want a Dual Gate (two separate gates in one pedal), I highly recommend The GUPtech "SUN2" Gate (aka Dual Guul). It's the best, especially for it's price (under $235). The SUN Gate is a Fortin Zuul clone, but for half the price AND it has a "Key Out" (which the Zuul doesn't have).. So, the SUN2 is like running a Fortin Zuul in front and in the loop (with separate Threshold knobs), eliminating the need for any "Key" or trigger. It also has an Isolation switch, so you can run each gate to 2 separate amps, if you need to do that. There's also the Airis Effects "Hades" Ultra Gate, the LWA Tannhauser (two Endless Blockades), and a couple other pedals, but they're expensive and can be hard to find. The only way to use a "Double Gate" with the gear in this video is by running the Cock Blocker in front of the amp, and using the ENGL's built-in Gate for the amp noise. Anyway, I hope this helps (given the very misleading title).
Thanks for letting me know about parallel & serial effects loops... I was wondering why my Cockblocker pedal wasn't working properly! Turns out my Marshall AVT150h amp has a parallel effects loop :-( Oh and In order to get it to work properly when using it on the front input of my amp, I had to loop the "Guitar out" in to the "Blocker In" port from my last effects pedal as shown here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sZltd8zTFaY.html
I run an Isp decimator in the fx loop (first thing in the fx chain) and then a cheaper used boss gate out front (right after my tuner). The isp seems to eat all the pre amp hiss without eating my tone, and the boss is great out front because you set a threshold that says “don’t let a signal through unless its this strong” so NOTHING hits the front of the amp unless I play something. Completely silent. I set the threshold just high enough so my fingers sliding across the strings don’t make sound. Love it. Also, I bought the decimator new. Got the boss for like 40-ish. Out the door for less than 200. Not sure what all the fuss is over the cock blocker lol the wheel has already been invented
So I have an orange rockerverb mkiii 100w and I have a boss ns2 noise supressor I'm able to get rid of almost all of the hun using the fx loop but I still get a good amount of feedback, I have the gain and about 3/4 and I use a ts808 tube screamer and the feedback happens everytime I mute my strings it's super high pitched any recommendations?
Also seems like some gate/NS can cause ground loops with certain amps. My JVM410H (noisy as hell) gets a nasty ground loop when using the Decimator II G-string, but not with a Boss NS-2.
I have never used a gate. I usually use a wireless that only transmits if im playing (so lime a gate) im watching this because i just got a victory and the overdrive channel is really noisy luckily it has a series loop so according to this i can just gate it. It may be the noisiest amp ive had
With the ENGL Savage having a built in Gate, how would it change things with it engaged and double gating? Asking as I have a savage and debated on getting a gate to put in front of it. Didn’t know if it’s worth it or not. Thanks!
Should I use this in front of my recording interface? Fricker insisted that we use a direct box but I got one and it does very little to clean up that hum. The virtual gating of my modeling software (Podfarm or Guitar Rig) doesn’t satisfy me so I figured my next best option would be a Furman power conditioner, which is something I should probably have anyway. Podfarm actually seems to already have the dual gate system built-in, but after messing around with the settings for all these years I still can’t record guitar without serious de-noising in post. Just when I think I have it dialed in, that hum will cut through, especially when a note or chord is sustained. As the signal decays, the hum will fade in until it’s at a comparable level to not having a gate at all. I would test any gate pedal with a live amp the same way.
Hey Trey, Yes..I've been using the ISP G-string for awhile now ...My question is are you switching to the Engl Savage or are you still keeping the Revv Gen 120...???
The Engl is fucking great but the Generator 120 is the greatest amp of all time. Plus they're just different flavors of awesome, so it's cool having them both around. So, hell no, keeping that 120 til I die.
@@treyxaviermusic My thoughts exactly.The Revv 120 is a beast...!! & I just got my Revv Gen 120 a few weeks ago after a 5 month wait to build it...I almost got the Savage MKII 120..But the Revv is way more Versatile...Going to swap the 6L6's to KT88s in my Revv's power section for greater bone crushing tones...Thanks Trey...!!!
your amp must be really quiet, my 6505+ feeds back with the post gain (vol) turned past 1. I run the Decimator pro rack G in front of the amp and in the fx loop and my rig is dead silent on fast stops/rests
I don't know what your tech language means - I have super basic set up - rode nt1 against small orange amp - USA strat I just want silence ☹️ if I use a standard gate and buy the block at the same time will this destroy all noise?
The X pattern actually gates both ends. This pedal doesn't. It's just a triggered gate, like a Zuul or ISP G-string.. There are dual gates out there (which have separate Thresholds, and can be used for both ends of one amp, or one end of two separate amps), like the GUPtech "Dual Sun" Gate, LWA "Tannhauser", Airis Effects "Hades Ultra Gate", Source Audio "EQ2", etc.
What if you have an EHX Silencer? Does that work well for effects loop and the dirty pedals is you’re using the built in effects loop on the pedal instead of the amps effects loop? I use my Silencer at the beginning and have it run through the built in loop going to the front of the amp. Most of my guitars sound good except my KC Jaguar which always has feedback issues especially when using the wah.
I am new to using gates... I use it with the TC Electronic Sentry, but they have you put the guitar, Tuner, and Sentry in line and then place the fuzz, OD, distortion in the Sentry's loop. Should I be using the fuzz, OD, distortion in line and then put the effects, that are already in the amp's loop, through the Sentry's loop as well?