Boss NS-2 vs. MXR Smart Gate vs. EHX Hum Debugger

[Ryan Mohr]

Which is the best in your opinion. I'm leaning toward the mxr because you can switch between different types of noise.

[JanusZarate]

Technically, the Hum Debugger shouldn't be in this. It fights hum, and only hum. It does nothing for white noise (unless white noise is being enhanced by hum).

So, unless your pickups are causing hum, the Hum Debugger is not worth looking at.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Technically, the Hum Debugger shouldn't be in this. It fights hum, and only hum. It does nothing for white noise (unless white noise is being enhanced by hum).

So, unless your pickups are causing hum, the Hum Debugger is not worth looking at.

Thanks, so this would be useful for the hum of a MIM Jazz Bass, not pedals, right?

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by AqueousView11

Thanks, so this would be useful for the hum of a MIM Jazz Bass, not pedals, right?

Yeah. Or any single-coil pickup instrument (Rickenbacker, Telecaster, etc.), for that matter.

Don't quote me on this, but it might also work for ground/shielding-related hum issues on a bass. Never tried one out to see for myself if it can do that, though.

Anyhow... you might find these threads useful:

EHX Humdebugger vs. MXR M-135 Smart Gate

Noise Gates

[JanusZarate]

I should also probably mention... having owned an NS-2 before, I can definitely say that it works very well for noise suppression. Just keep in mind that any noise gate/suppressor will only be able to fight the noise between notes; it doesn't work while you're playing.

I only tried the Smart Gate once, and I really didn't spend enough time with it to give a review on it or even compare it to the NS-2. I just noticed that it worked.

A few pedals you didn't list:

- The ISP Decimator is the most highly rated noise gate I've seen out there. I've never used one, though.
- The Rocktron HUSH pedal is based on the rackmount HUSH Super C, which is very popular with guitarists. But I owned the HUSH pedal for a while, and it noticeably colored my tone no matter what the setting was. I ditched it because it was too big and not very effective. So... don't bother considering that one.

[JGR]

+1 to the ISP - i have the rack version and it works extremely well.

[RickenBoogie]

+2 for the ISP. Got the pedal version last week. Absolute silence, and no coloring. How do they do that? Great pedal for shutting up all those other pedals that we love, even though they add noise to your signal chain. Not a problem anymore.

[Valerus]

What do you think of the Smart Gate?

[bongomania]

It sucks, unless you have low expectations. Then it works great.

[Stuggi]

How well does the Humbugger work canceling out the singlecoil hum? Anyone with some hands-on experience?

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It sucks, unless you have low expectations. Then it works great.

haha I'll get the Decimator.

[JanusZarate]

Originally Posted by Stuggi

How well does the Humbugger work canceling out the singlecoil hum? Anyone with some hands-on experience?

Does no one search anymore?

hum debugger!

There you go.

[deathbyhappy]

which would be best to use on a single coil? anyone got any experience tryin to stop the 51 RI P-bass squeeling??? Mine especially dose when i press down on my Boss B-OD unless i mess with my tone and vol knobs.

Any help?

Cheers

Nathan

[Bluedevilxx]

the ns-2 oughtta help ya there, assuming you mean that the bass squeals when you aren't playing, just tweak the threshold knob as needed

then daisy chain off of it and power many many more pedals

[cheapbasslovin]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

Does no one search anymore?

hum debugger!

There you go.

Thanks for linking to that Mystic, I wasn't around when that posted and it was a fantastic read.

Horrifying at times, but fantastic.