Choosing from the different types of analogue distortion units and pedals can seem hard, as there are so many units available on the market. Let’s take a quick look at Boss’s NS-2 and the ISP Decimator Pedal to see which one would benefit you the most.
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor Pedal
Initially designed to be more of a transparent effect, the noise gate pedal is now experiencing something of a renaissance thanks to the current state of modern metal. Do you want a crisp, clean, chug sound that cuts off with extreme clarity? Then you’ll need a noise gate. Another way of thinking about it is that this pedal allows you to use an all-tube amp for getting that warm, responsive tone while getting the tightness and responsiveness of a solid-state amp. Due to the demand, the market responded with an influx of new noise gate units and pedals designed specifically for heavy music. While some of these products are more effective than others, Boss’s NS-2 has seemed to have stood the test of time. It can be seen on the pedalboards all across the globe, of players across a breadth of styles, and like many Boss products, it’s an all-around good pedal.
Design
Boss’s NS-2 has a nice clean and simple interface, featuring three main control knobs: Threshold, Decay, and Mode. The threshold knob is used to control the level at which the gate will kick in. The higher the knob is turned, the greater the signal needs to be in order to keep the gate open. The decay knob controls the speed at which the gate closes. While the higher the knob is set, the quicker the gate closes. Theoretically, with the threshold at a minimum and the decay at a maximum, you’ll get the most natural sound, while doing the opposite will give you that extreme/djenty sound. Of course, you’ll need to decide what kind of sound you’re going for, and what best suits your particular rig.
Like other “utility” pedals from Boss, their NS-2 pedal comes with a 9v OUT, in addition to the standard IN, allowing you to pull power straight from this pedal and route it into something else on your pedalboard. It’s a useful feature to have if you’re looking to save space on your power strip, or if you’re looking to reserve the 9v outs on your power supply for pedals that need more power.
Performance
Unlike other noise gates that have one input and one output, the NS-2 has an input and output, as well as a send and return, meaning that the NS-2 essentially has its own loop, where you can pull all the effects that you would like the gate to act on. A straightforward scenario would be guitar–NS-2 Input–[anything that boosts the gain that goes to the front of the amp, i.e. Distortion, Compressor, Overdrive]–NS-2 Return. Then place anything that you don’t want to be gated after the NS-2 Output. Doing this allows for a pleasing amount of flexibility, and can also be particularly handy if you’re using an amp that doesn’t have an effects loop. Keeping the gain effects separate from the modulation effects will result with achieving great levels of precision and finesse with your signal path.
ISP Technologies Decimator
ISP Technologies is probably not a name that you’ll hear or see too often in the world of effects pedals. While they seem to be pretty absent from the most popular categories, their presence in those such as noise gate pedals is second to none. The ISP Technologies Decimator is one of their best-selling pedals.
The performance that the ISP Technologies Decimator II noise gate pedal brings to its users has earned it the status as one of the few noise gate pedals that gets the job done on a higher level.
Design
The enclosure of the pedal features something similar to that of a standard Boss pedal. Its durability is on the same level, if not better, while the whole unfinished metallic look definitely gives it an aesthetic edge over other models in the market.
What separates this pedal from others is its ability to be used in an effects loop or to add a processing channel into a loop. On top of that, you also get a dedicated set of inputs and outputs which can be used to link two in a chain. Although these features may only appeal to a very niche group of users, they are definitely significant from a practical point of view.
There’s a lot to be said about simple control clusters on modern effects pedals. Especially if the pedal isn’t something you’re going to actively mess with after you’ve first set it up. In the case of the ISP Technologies Decimator II, there’s only one knob to work with, which allows you to adjust the volume level where the noise gate kicks in, and the knob itself is a bit sensitive. On one hand, this type of Spartan approach may seem too basic, but it’s generally plenty enough for those who know exactly where they want the noise to disappear.
Performance
The circuitry within the ISP Technologies Decimator II is truly great. While it may seem somewhat basic on the surface, this pedal brings all the features we have mentioned along with a pretty bulletproof signal path that doesn’t alter the tone in any way, shape or form. This applies both to situations where the pedal is turned on or turned off. Dialling in the volume level is very easy, and the gate is very accurate.
Conclusion
Both pedals are great! The ISP Technologies Decimator seems to function smoother and faster, but can be difficult to dial in just right as the single knob is very sensitive. Also, something to take into consideration is if you bump the knob by accident, you risk ruining your sound out of nowhere.
The Boss NS-2 pedal doesn’t function as quickly or as smoothly, although it’s much easier to dial in and maintain the settings as the knobs aren’t as easily bumped or kicked and they’re nowhere near as sensitive.
