Where Does the Noise Gate Go in a Pedal Chain: A Comprehensive Guide

For guitarists who spend significant time crafting their tone and sound, understanding the placement of equipment within their pedal chains is crucial. One key component in this process is the noise gate. This article will explore the optimal placement of a noise gate in a pedal chain and the reasoning behind these placement strategies.

Understanding the Noise Gate

A noise gate is an audio effect designed to help mitigate unwanted noise in a signal. It operates by opening and closing a gate threshold, effectively silencing the signal below a certain volume level. While effective, improper placement can lead to undesirable artifacts, such as chopped-off delay tails, making the output sound 'choppy.'

Placement Rules for Your Noise Gate

The most common and optimal placement for a noise gate is after the delay effects, after distortion and modulation effects, but before these. This placement ensures that the noise gate does not interfere with the 'tails' created by delay or reverb effects, which are crucial to achieving a smooth and rich sound.

However, if you have a particularly noisy pedal (e.g., a high-gain distortion with significant noise), it may make more sense to place the noise gate after this noisy pedal and before clean effects or after the chain of effects. This ensures that any noise introduced by the noisy pedal is controlled before affecting subsequent clean effects or creating choppy delays.

Placement Examples and Tips

Example 1: Placing the Noise Gate After Modulation Effects: Suppose you have a row of modulation effects like chorus, phaser, or flanger. These effects can create swish or wash between notes or between phrases. If you have a noisy pedal in the same chain, placing the noise gate after the modulation effects can help silence this swish or wash without interrupting the natural sound of the modulation.

Example 2: Placing the Noise Gate After Single-Coil Pickups: For guitarists using single-coil pickups, such as those found in Telecasters or Strats, the noise gate can be placed at the front of the pedal chain. Single-coil pickups are notorious for generating hum and hiss, especially in noisy settings. By placing the noise gate at the front, the noise can be effectively reduced before it affects your entire signal.

Example 3: Placing the Noise Gate After a Particularly Noisy Pedal: If you have a specific effect that is known for its noise, such as a distortion pedal with high gain, placing the noise gate immediately after this pedal can help manage the excessive noise. This way, the noise is isolated and does not spread to other parts of the pedal chain.

Common Misconceptions and Best Practices

It's a common misconception that placing a noise gate after a delay or reverb will only improve clarity. In fact, doing so can lead to unwanted artifacts and a choppy sound. The noise gate should be placed in a way that it complements the overall sound of the chain, rather than interrupting it. Additionally, using multiple noise gates, as is common among experienced pedal enthusiasts, can help achieve a balanced and controlled sound. For instance, one noise gate might be used to clear up high-gain effects, and another might be used to manage the modulation swish in a series of effects.

Another misconception is that a noise gate with Noise Gate features, like the Truetone’s Route 66, is only useful for its noise gate function. In reality, many such pedals offer a range of compression and other effects, making them versatile tools in any pedal chain. The Route 66, for example, can be used primarily for compression with the noise gate serving as an additional feature.

Conclusion

Proper placement of a noise gate in a pedal chain is essential to achieving the best sound possible. By understanding the principles of where and when to apply a noise gate, guitarists can fine-tune their sound and eliminate unwanted noise without compromising the integrity of their signals. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, placing your noise gate correctly can lead to a more polished and professional-sounding tone.