The order in which you place a noise gate and a compressor in your signal chain can have a significant impact on your overall sound. There are two main schools of thought on this topic:
- Place the noise gate before the compressor. This is the most common way to do it, and it’s the recommended setting for most compressors. The reason for this is that a noise gate will help to reduce the noise floor of your signal, which can help the compressor to work more effectively.
- Place the compressor before the noise gate. This is a less common approach, but it can be effective in some cases. The reason for this is that a compressor can help to even out the dynamics of your signal, which can make the noise gate more effective.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which order to use is to experiment and see what sounds best to you. There is no right or wrong answer, and it may depend on the specific pedals that you are using.
Here are some additional factors to consider when deciding whether to place a noise gate before or after a compressor:
- The type of noise gate. Some noise gates are more aggressive than others, and they may be more effective when placed before a compressor.
- The type of compressor. Some compressors are more sensitive to noise than others, and they may be more effective when placed after a noise gate.
- The type of music you play. If you play music with a lot of quiet passages, then you may want to place the noise gate before the compressor to help reduce the noise floor.
If you’re still not sure which order to use, then you can always experiment with both settings and see which one you prefer. There’s no right or wrong answer, and it may depend on the specific pedals that you are using and the type of music you play.
Here are some additional tips for using a noise gate and a compressor together:
- Set the noise gate to a high threshold. This will help to ensure that the noise gate only gates out the unwanted noise and doesn’t affect your signal too much.
- Set the compressor to a low ratio. This will help to preserve the dynamics of your signal while still reducing the overall noise level.
- Experiment with the settings. The exact settings that you use will depend on the specific pedals that you are using and the type of music you play. However, a good starting point is to set the noise gate to a high threshold and the compressor to a low ratio.
With a little experimentation, you’ll be able to find the perfect way to use a noise gate and a compressor together to create your own unique sound.
