Noise suppressor

1. What does a noise suppressor do?
2. Where should I put my noise suppressor?
3. What's the difference between a noise gate and a noise suppressor?
4. Do you need a noise suppressor?

What does a noise suppressor do?

A noise suppressor (also called a noise gate) is a real problem solver, by being able to detect which part of the incoming signal is just noise and which is a guitar signal wanting to be amplified. A gate is a handy emergency device, when playing at different venues, each with its own set of electrical problems.

Where should I put my noise suppressor?

Naturally, you'll want to place the noise gate wherever the noise is, for example after your fuzz pedal. It's most common, however, to put it at the end of your chain but before any ambient pedals such as delay and reverb.

What's the difference between a noise gate and a noise suppressor?

A noise Gate blocks the entire signal until you start playing, and shuts off everything again when you stop. Better gates do this faster, and suck less tone. A noise suppressor attempts to filter out the noise when you aren't playing, and when you are playing.

Do you need a noise suppressor?

And yes, you will need one eventually, when you play live, having a noise supressor pedal will eliminate all the uneccessary noises that no one likes.