Great vid. I have used both. I think, much like you said, each have their merits and weaknesses. I use the MXR. Back in the 80s, I used rack stuff. I can honestly tell you from experience, if you want to use your volume, then a gate isn't for you. A noise reduction unit is. I have just accepted the fact that if I want to do swells with the distortion on, the gate gets turned off. They will ALL cut off notes that fall below whatever volume threshold you have a gate set to "gate". That why they are called a noise gate and not a door that is a little harder for noise to come through. I like the gate. And I think you did a great job of not only comparing the two, but also demonstrating why or why not someone might want one.
I bought them both, tried them together and I kept the Noise Clamp. I am not sure if I would recommend it, but I love it. It does not chop your signal, it does not affect your tone. I use the four cable method and works perfectly.
You absolutely can run it in the loop, that's where I keep mine. Connect it like this: Guitar -> NS-2 Input -> NS-2 Send -> Amp Input -> Loop Send -> NS-2 Return -> NS-2 Output -> Loop Return. If you use any pedals before your amp, connect them after the NS-2 send. If you use any other pedals in your Loop, run everything except reverbs and delays before the NS-2 Return, and keep the verb/delay after the NS-2 output. Google "NS-2 X Connection" for a hookup diagram if you need it.
Two different things the NS-2 is a Noise Suppressor. The MXR is a Noise GATE! Boss did make a Gate that worked just like the MXR it's champagne color w/one knob I have both you need one w/a 5150 The Gate I use for tight riffs & The NS-2 for a Noise Suppressor. They both have a place I run both in the loop. The Best place for a NS/Gate
Glad you liked the demo. I had a Decimator about 4 years ago, but ditched it because of the same kind of issues you're describing. For versatility? Really tough to say. I think the choice comes down to signal purity vs. tracking performance. For me, the tracking performance (where the NS-2 wins) is they key thing in maintaining predictable response when you're switching styles and sounds.
Greg, thanks so much for the video. It's refreshing to see a comparison with an actual scientific method with control factors. I actually had an ISP Decimator, heralded as the best of the gates, but it actually worked terribly with medium gain amps such as Vox AC30s. The threshold was entirely too sensitive with playing that relies on rhythmic strumming and string dynamics. Curious as to your opinion on what's better between the MXR and Boss for versatility across all genres.
The this is the wrong application for the mxr. The Noise Clamp, is for creating a loop and placing noisy pedals within said loop, and taking that noise out of the signal path, until you're ready to engage it. This video really displayed how the pedals worked using playing dynamics. If the poster should have used an mxr smart gate which has a lot more to do with a noisy guitar, and playing dynamics than the clamp which is more appropriately used to remove unwanted noise sources from your signal path.
Nice amp! I'm going to be using a Genz Benz El Diablo 100 with a MXR noise clamp to help quiet it down when I use it at live levels. I don't use a lot of gain but, when I do I want to quiet it down. Nice video comparison.
I own a boss NS-2 and funny I don't notice any coloration in my sound, what I find strange is the fact that boss pedals have built in Buffers and shouldn't suck tone. As far as I know tone loss is an issue associated with truebypass and long cables and could be solved with a buffer pedal but this is strange, can you plz explain?
occasionally if you have a very cheap/low quality buffer, it will mess with your tone. I prefer buffered pedals over true bypass. I hate the loud POP most true bypass pedals have, and hearing long length of cable!. Never had a problem with maxon buffers or boss buffers. However Dunlop crybaby buffers do affect tone from my experiance.
I am very sure the ISP G String probably does a better job at not coloring your tone and does exactly what the NS-2 does, however even on the used market, it's at least double the price of the Boss. Not sure if that's a good value.
Thanks for this great review man. I will take the NS-2 over the MXR since I play a lot of death metal. And when we play a break, we want deadsilence. Thanks so much again.
i know this is an old video but i think this is not a fair comparison mainly because the signal route... NS-2 output goes to the MXR's return... and the NS- Send to the MXR input... this means the MXR never gets a "bypass" signal from the Boss. The signal goes through the switched off Boss NS-2... hook up one of these pedals at a time, with the "noise maker" in its loop.
Tetanus forBreakfast I tested them both individually, and got the same results- the video is just a demo of what I found in testing. The weaknesses of the MXR (lack of complete gating and inaccurate tracking at low input levels) were evident in solo tests as well.
Excellent demo! The Boss NS-2 does an excellent job tracking dynamic playing, but how does it stack up against the ISP Decimator, in terms of dynamic playing?
Am I seeing this correctly? Did you connect the send of the Boss pedal to the input of the MXR.? Shouldn’t have you conned the output of the boss to the input of the MXR?
This was like 7 years ago so I'm not sure exactly, but the signal chain should be: -> (NS-2 Input) -> MXR Detection Block (Input to Send) -> Distortion -> NS-2 Gate block (Return to Output) -> MXR Gate Block (Return to Output) -> Amp This way both detection circuits are in series before the distortion, and both gate circuits are in series after the distortion.
I'm not sure if I'd have the sensitivity problem if I put either pedal in the effects loop of my amp, or even between my pre and power amp (I have rack stuff). Because my low volume playing would make it through my overdrive and into my preamp before being gated. Thoughts?
I use a fulltone ocd before my distorion at all times, so you can imagin that i get a shit tonne of feedback... i use a boss bs2... perfect. Guitar>Tuner>Input ns2>Send to overdrive>distortion>Return to ns2>output to amp. Id buy it again if it broke...
Useful for me as a bass player cutting out sympathetic vibrations in non-plucked strings (usually the A on 4-string) in recording situations or shows where you want a super clean sound. Going to try that NS-2 and report back
it might drain the highs a litlle bit, but that's what knobs are for :) thank you so much for the video, i will buy de boss ns now, your vid was very usefull for me and a lot of friends :)
It's my understanding that the Boss fully mutes the output when the gate is closed, so it should get the job done- just remember you'll have to deal with some tone suck, and (for either of these pedals) you'll get the best results when you do the full 4-cable hookup, rather than just placing the gate after the distortion.
Sometimes for the fair amount of gain from my amp during concert with my Folk metal band i obtain some feedback from the ampli even if i close the volume of the guitar palm muting it or with the knob ... so i need a pedal that let me avoid this problem letting me pursue feedback when i want it and that let me play my lead stuff freely ... and then on lower gain level or clean i would shout it off . which one who you recommend ? your help would be really appreciated . thx
No, wrong. You gave the MXR pedal a BOSS signal instead of a vintage Gibson Pickup signal. They're 2 different types of signal. You're actually experimenting with mixing brands. The problem is, you didn't approach either brand to ask permission or give them your ideas about incorporating other brands into their line of products. I can tell you that the MXR pedal doesn't like getting a signal from a BOSS pedal.
Hi, i have an MXR Noise Clamp on my pedalboard to eliminate the hums from my pedals. But i noticed when i played my distortion & want to roll back my guitar volume knob to get that clean sound, it's still sound dirty. So is the Boss NS-2 the best option to get that clean sound while roll back the guitar volume knob or are all noise gate pedals like that?
Assuming you're dealing with a constant hiss, I'd recommend the Boss over the MXR. The MXR never completely mutes the signal, so some portion of that hiss is always going to sneak through. If the hiss is quiet enough to begin with, this is probably OK, but if you want dead silence, you'll need the Boss. The Boss will compromise some of your treble response. If you want dead silence and better high end, try an ISP Decimator. If you want dead silence, no tone suck, and the tone/technique flexibility of the Boss, you'll need one of ISP's dual-ended gates, like the G-String (which I haven't personally tested).
If you want more complete silence, get the Boss. If you are willing to compromise some silence for better tone, get the MXR.
Great vid. I have used both. I think, much like you said, each have their merits and weaknesses. I use the MXR. Back in the 80s, I used rack stuff. I can honestly tell you from experience, if you want to use your volume, then a gate isn't for you. A noise reduction unit is. I have just accepted the fact that if I want to do swells with the distortion on, the gate gets turned off. They will ALL cut off notes that fall below whatever volume threshold you have a gate set to "gate". That why they are called a noise gate and not a door that is a little harder for noise to come through.
I like the gate. And I think you did a great job of not only comparing the two, but also demonstrating why or why not someone might want one.
I bought them both, tried them together and I kept the Noise Clamp. I am not sure if I would recommend it, but I love it. It does not chop your signal, it does not affect your tone. I use the four cable method and works perfectly.
You absolutely can run it in the loop, that's where I keep mine. Connect it like this: Guitar -> NS-2 Input -> NS-2 Send -> Amp Input -> Loop Send -> NS-2 Return -> NS-2 Output -> Loop Return.
If you use any pedals before your amp, connect them after the NS-2 send. If you use any other pedals in your Loop, run everything except reverbs and delays before the NS-2 Return, and keep the verb/delay after the NS-2 output.
Google "NS-2 X Connection" for a hookup diagram if you need it.
Very good review. Thank you! Will buy the MXR I think because the tone loss is even more a problem for me.
Finally a review where they are patched in correctly. Nice.
Best demo yet. I know about the tone suck, but the NS-2 will also power the other pedals. Thank you for helping out my decision
Two different things the NS-2 is a Noise Suppressor. The MXR is a Noise GATE! Boss did make a Gate that worked just like the MXR it's champagne color w/one knob I have both you need one w/a 5150 The Gate I use for tight riffs & The NS-2 for a Noise Suppressor. They both have a place I run both in the loop. The Best place for a NS/Gate
I play metal, and I've never had a sustain or pinch problem with the NS-2 properly dialed in.
Glad you liked the demo. I had a Decimator about 4 years ago, but ditched it because of the same kind of issues you're describing.
For versatility? Really tough to say. I think the choice comes down to signal purity vs. tracking performance. For me, the tracking performance (where the NS-2 wins) is they key thing in maintaining predictable response when you're switching styles and sounds.
Greg, thanks so much for the video. It's refreshing to see a comparison with an actual scientific method with control factors.
I actually had an ISP Decimator, heralded as the best of the gates, but it actually worked terribly with medium gain amps such as Vox AC30s. The threshold was entirely too sensitive with playing that relies on rhythmic strumming and string dynamics.
Curious as to your opinion on what's better between the MXR and Boss for versatility across all genres.
I have an NS-2 for my hollow body. Works well in controlling the howling.
The this is the wrong application for the mxr. The Noise Clamp, is for creating a loop and placing noisy pedals within said loop, and taking that noise out of the signal path, until you're ready to engage it. This video really displayed how the pedals worked using playing dynamics. If the poster should have used an mxr smart gate which has a lot more to do with a noisy guitar, and playing dynamics than the clamp which is more appropriately used to remove unwanted noise sources from your signal path.
But the fact remains that the MXR will counteract playing dynamics with the pedals inside its loop...
Nice amp! I'm going to be using a Genz Benz El Diablo 100 with a MXR noise clamp to help quiet it down when I use it at live levels. I don't use a lot of gain but, when I do I want to quiet it down. Nice video comparison.
great review,i'm going with the NS-2!
I own a boss NS-2 and funny I don't notice any coloration in my sound, what I find strange is the fact that boss pedals have built in Buffers and shouldn't suck tone. As far as I know tone loss is an issue associated with truebypass and long cables and could be solved with a buffer pedal but this is strange, can you plz explain?
occasionally if you have a very cheap/low quality buffer, it will mess with your tone. I prefer buffered pedals over true bypass. I hate the loud POP most true bypass pedals have, and hearing long length of cable!. Never had a problem with maxon buffers or boss buffers. However Dunlop crybaby buffers do affect tone from my experiance.
Love the "buy me" bit.
I am very sure the ISP G String probably does a better job at not coloring your tone and does exactly what the NS-2 does, however even on the used market, it's at least double the price of the Boss. Not sure if that's a good value.
Thanks for this great review man. I will take the NS-2 over the MXR since I play a lot of death metal. And when we play a break, we want deadsilence. Thanks so much again.
i know this is an old video but i think this is not a fair comparison mainly because the signal route...
NS-2 output goes to the MXR's return... and the NS- Send to the MXR input...
this means the MXR never gets a "bypass" signal from the Boss. The signal goes through the switched off Boss NS-2...
hook up one of these pedals at a time, with the "noise maker" in its loop.
Tetanus forBreakfast I tested them both individually, and got the same results- the video is just a demo of what I found in testing. The weaknesses of the MXR (lack of complete gating and inaccurate tracking at low input levels) were evident in solo tests as well.
Excellent demo! The Boss NS-2 does an excellent job tracking dynamic playing, but how does it stack up against the ISP Decimator, in terms of dynamic playing?
Am I seeing this correctly? Did you connect the send of the Boss pedal to the input of the MXR.? Shouldn’t have you conned the output of the boss to the input of the MXR?
This was like 7 years ago so I'm not sure exactly, but the signal chain should be:
-> (NS-2 Input)
-> MXR Detection Block (Input to Send)
-> Distortion
-> NS-2 Gate block (Return to Output)
-> MXR Gate Block (Return to Output)
-> Amp
This way both detection circuits are in series before the distortion, and both gate circuits are in series after the distortion.
Video was great and analysis found in the description was AMAZING. Goin' with the NS-2. :)
I'm not sure if I'd have the sensitivity problem if I put either pedal in the effects loop of my amp, or even between my pre and power amp (I have rack stuff). Because my low volume playing would make it through my overdrive and into my preamp before being gated. Thoughts?
Hey Greg thanks that's really answered one of my questions but I still got one left: What camera you're using for that video?
I use a fulltone ocd before my distorion at all times, so you can imagin that i get a shit tonne of feedback... i use a boss bs2... perfect.
Guitar>Tuner>Input ns2>Send to overdrive>distortion>Return to ns2>output to amp.
Id buy it again if it broke...
If more explained people like you!
I have the NS2 and it totally stopped working
Boss are the only pedals I’ve had that have stopped working
Switching everything to MXR
Can the MXR unit in this video be used as a regular gate without anything in it's loop? (guitar to input, output to amp and nothing else)
thanks for saving me some money with this video! now I know I need a stronger pedal.
This pedal is totally fine he didn't connect it properly so you didn't get the full potential of both
Useful for me as a bass player cutting out sympathetic vibrations in non-plucked strings (usually the A on 4-string) in recording situations or shows where you want a super clean sound. Going to try that NS-2 and report back
How was it? I'm a bass player as well.
I've a 1994 fly classic you should do a vid they are sought after
it might drain the highs a litlle bit, but that's what knobs are for :) thank you so much for the video, i will buy de boss ns now, your vid was very usefull for me and a lot of friends :)
if I play clean? it doesn´t cuts off my dynamics? or it works only in the pedals included in the send/return loop???
Hey man I have a pisdiyauwout distorsion and my noise clamp does not eliminate the noise completely ... do you think that boss will ?
It's my understanding that the Boss fully mutes the output when the gate is closed, so it should get the job done- just remember you'll have to deal with some tone suck, and (for either of these pedals) you'll get the best results when you do the full 4-cable hookup, rather than just placing the gate after the distortion.
Ok thanks.... I am gonna try with boss pedal
Sometimes for the fair amount of gain from my amp during concert with my Folk metal band i obtain some feedback from the ampli even if i close the volume of the guitar palm muting it or with the knob ... so i need a pedal that let me avoid this problem letting me pursue feedback when i want it and that let me play my lead stuff freely ... and then on lower gain level or clean i would shout it off . which one who you recommend ? your help would be really appreciated . thx
No, wrong.
You gave the MXR pedal a BOSS signal instead of a vintage Gibson Pickup signal.
They're 2 different types of signal.
You're actually experimenting with mixing brands.
The problem is, you didn't approach either brand to ask permission or give them your ideas about incorporating other brands into their line of products.
I can tell you that the MXR pedal doesn't like getting a signal from a BOSS pedal.
Solid!
Smart test!
Which is probably better if you're not switching up channels and playing styles a lot during your set.
I have a Metal zone from boss and metal core and I have so much feedback. which one should I have?
Very thorough!
thanks, helpful for me to make a purchasing decision
Very useful, thanks!
Hi, i have an MXR Noise Clamp on my pedalboard to eliminate the hums from my pedals. But i noticed when i played my distortion & want to roll back my guitar volume knob to get that clean sound, it's still sound dirty. So is the Boss NS-2 the best option to get that clean sound while roll back the guitar volume knob or are all noise gate pedals like that?
Erfie Razali
what would you suggest for suppresing hiss noise?
Assuming you're dealing with a constant hiss, I'd recommend the Boss over the MXR. The MXR never completely mutes the signal, so some portion of that hiss is always going to sneak through. If the hiss is quiet enough to begin with, this is probably OK, but if you want dead silence, you'll need the Boss.
The Boss will compromise some of your treble response. If you want dead silence and better high end, try an ISP Decimator. If you want dead silence, no tone suck, and the tone/technique flexibility of the Boss, you'll need one of ISP's dual-ended gates, like the G-String (which I haven't personally tested).
Thanks! It's for use with a bass. I would think that the upper frequency loss is not relevant, but I might be wrong
Silence... GHOSTS.... Silence... GHOSTS.
zbunjena je mxr jer je boss predvidjen za bas a mxr samo za gitaru...toliko bez kafe i prve cigare kasnije mozda bolje ukapiram zasto...
not comparing apples to apples
you could be a great scientist!
silence... GHOSTS!
clever, so noise gate it is lol