Running two decimators may be the best gate setup ever.

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

It has been a long time since I ran two gates. The control it gives you is incredible. However there isn't a lot of information on how to do it with two Decimator pedals.

With the four cable method and a decimator g, you would run straight from guitar into the input and output goes to pedal board, and then you put the loop through your pedal to have total silence. This beats the zuul in my opinion, because it has natural sustain and decay.

However, it has a link possibility if you have a second decimator. If you link the two, then you can run another at the end of your pedal board. With the decimator gstring, because it is a through signal pedal, if you run it in the loop, you need an isolation transformer to prevent a ground loop.

But now, I have natural sustain with the loop and silence from the preamp section with the gstring and I can set the second decimator to just control how fast the gate shuts my guitar signal before the amp for the tight percussive stuff. So it won't activate with sustain going, just when I silence the strings.

I really cannot brag about this situation enough. It is by far the most transparent way that I have found to have the gate perfect for me.

 

[Inflames]

What's your thoughts on Decimator X G string? If you tried Revv G8, can you compare these?

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I have not tried the revv. But i have a writeup of what i think of isp decimator.

Thread 'NPD ISP Decimator X Gstring'

Jan 21, 2025

I want to be very cautious, because we are all prone to overreact to new gear. That said, I love this fucking pedal.

The Good

• Completely natural sustain This cannot be overstated. This pedal sustains like it is off.
• No noticeable tone suck
• The gating in the loop FEELS like it is in front of the amp. It reminds me of the feel of having the zuul (still tracked at guitar clean signal) but run last before input of amp
• I do not get those random popping or static sounds that I got with the Zuul.
• The static (microphonic noise)...

• S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Rig-Talk

• 
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[thegame]

This makes you RT’s preeminent masturgater. Congratulations but no, I won’t shake your hand.

 

[311boogieman]

So many cables for so few pedals

I kid. I kid.

I seriously hate cables though I don't know why. It probably has something to do with my OCD tendencies.

I may need to look into this tho as I don't feel my Boss NS-2 is really doing a good job.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

So many cables for so few pedals

I kid. I kid.

I seriously hate cables though I don't know why. It probably has something to do with my OCD tendencies.

I may need to look into this tho as I don't feel my Boss NS-2 is really doing a good job.

your board looks much better. I was just thinking about how many old cables are just laying down there last night. Maybe i should clean it up a bit

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I ran two zuuls before, and it works well also. It doesn't really require an isolation transformer, but it is hard to get natural sustain from that pedal, and you get the random static and pops.

 

[RockyStar]

Just think how good three would be.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

Just think how good three would be.

I was thinking of this last night. I think you could do three if you had three regular decimators. Because the gstring is two decimators in one pedal, so if you didn't have a gstring, you would use one as the first pedal, then the second after the pedalboard, then a third in the loop. And you would have to link the three with the 1/8 cables.

 

[Techdeth]

You went from zero too 2

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

You went from zero too 2

I have struggled for years about how many gates a man needs. The answer is 2

 

[glpg80]

You must be running some CRAZY gain or have some dirty ass power because when I used my Decimator I never had the dial past halfway ever, and you have two both set past halfway!
The question isn't should you use two gates...but instead, what has made it become necessary.

Sounds like he’s using them to get even tighter tone as a tone shaping tool as well as noise reduction. A mix of function and tone both.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

You must be running some CRAZY gain or have some dirty ass power because when I used my Decimator I never had the dial past halfway ever, and you have two both set past halfway!
The question isn't should you use two gates...but instead, what has made it become necessary.

Sounds like he’s using them to get even tighter tone as a tone shaping tool as well as noise reduction. A mix of function and tone both.

Yes. Essentially, the main one quiets rig completely. But the second is only for start/stop adjustment so that the first doesnt have to be turned up enough to do the start/stop. The first one is also in the loop. So the loop is an inefficient place for start/stop. It is more efficiient for silence. If you use one gate in the loop for start/stop, you have to turn it up higher and can get the weird after affect of gate closing, such as an echo.

Don't get me wrong, you can use one fine all day. But with two you are adjusting one thing at a time at the most efficient placement for that thing; rather than having a one knob pedal try to accomplish two things.

 

[NewReligion]

It has been a long time since I ran two gates. The control it gives you is incredible. However there isn't a lot of information on how to do it with two Decimator pedals.

With the four cable method and a decimator g, you would run straight from guitar into the input and output goes to pedal board, and then you put the loop through your pedal to have total silence. This beats the zuul in my opinion, because it has natural sustain and decay.

However, it has a link possibility if you have a second decimator. If you link the two, then you can run another at the end of your pedal board. With the decimator gstring, because it is a through signal pedal, if you run it in the loop, you need an isolation transformer to prevent a ground loop.

But now, I have natural sustain with the loop and silence from the preamp section with the gstring and I can set the second decimator to just control how fast the gate shuts my guitar signal before the amp for the tight percussive stuff. So it won't activate with sustain going, just when I silence the strings.

I really cannot brag about this situation enough. It is by far the most transparent way that I have found to have the gate perfect for me.
View attachment 431516

I fully understand what you were trying to do.

I agree that ISP has created one of the best four cable method pedals. Have you experimented by putting your decimeter G String II as the very last pedal on your board just before the AC input of the signal into the amplifier and adjusted the threshold? Then any other time based effects should certainly operate through the effect loop without creating a ground loop. If so, something else is the issue not the ISP.

The actual input jacks and output jacks on the decimator pedal act more like components within the logic rail of that pedal, which is technically a downward expander.

I have just about finished up my R & D studying ISP, ENGL, Boss NS-2 and other noise suppression units. As I will offer a internal noise gate for all of my builds and modifications.

Below is an example of my beta model. The Les Paul goes straight into the input jack of the Marshall, 2204 which I have modified into the Divergent mod I designed.

Once I heard the effect of a well functioning noise suppressor I was addicted.

Best of luck to you and kindest regards,
David Hopkins

 

[bubucci]

NS-2 + Decimator works best imho. NS-2 is great for filtering noises and feedback from pickups while Decimator gate hum after preamp. Right setup of Decimator in loop makes sound much tigher and thumping on palm mutting. Curently have Pigtronix which has lighting fast closing and feel as natural as Decimator with much better weight, footpring and price. Not a fan of new mini Decimate.

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

NS-2 + Decimator works best imho. NS-2 is great for filtering noises and feedback from pickups while Decimator gate hum after preamp. Right setup of Decimator in loop makes sound much tigher and thumping on palm mutting. Curently have Pigtronix which has lighting fast closing and feel as natural as Decimator with much better weight, footpring and price. Not a fan of new mini Decimate.

Good to know. I almost went mini decimate, but didnt trust it

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

I fully understand what you were trying to do.

I agree that ISP has created one of the best four cable method pedals. Have you experimented by putting your decimeter G string two as the very last pedal on your board just before the AC input of the signal into the amplifier and adjusted the threshold? Then any other time based effects should certainly operate through the effect loop without creating a ground loop. If so, something else is the issue not the ISP.

The actual input jacks and output jacks on the decimator pedal act more like components within the logic rail of that pedal, which is technically a downward expander.

I have just about finished up my R & D are studying ISP, ENGL, Boss NS-2 and other noise expression units. As I will offer a internal noise gate for all of my builds and modifications.

Below is an example of my beta model. The less fall goes straight into the input Jack of the Marshall, 2204 which I have modeled into the Divergent mod I designed.

Once I heard the effect of a well functioning noise suppressor I was addicted.

Best of luck to you and kindest regards,
David Hopkins

So. I am using my regular decimator x at the end of my pedals before amp input. To be more specific it is before my isolation transformer that goes into the amp.

The decimator x g string is sensing the guitar and in the loop.

I am a fan of your work, and am excited to see your internal gate

Due to the style i play, i don't currently use any time based effects, so my effects loop (serial) is only to quiet the preamp hiss with the gstring

 

[japetus]

I have never used a noise gate in my life. I mean this in all sincerity, how much damn gain are you guys running?

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Just think how good three would be.

Here is the lastest planned board ive been putting together.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Yes. Essentially, the main one quiets rig completely. But the second is only for start/stop adjustment so that the first doesnt have to be turned up enough to do the start/stop. The first one is also in the loop. So the loop is an inefficient place for start/stop. It is more efficiient for silence. If you use one gate in the loop for start/stop, you have to turn it up higher and can get the weird after affect of gate closing, such as an echo.

Don't get me wrong, you can use one fine all day. But with two you are adjusting one thing at a time at the most efficient placement for that thing; rather than having a one knob pedal try to accomplish two things.

Never tried that tbh, seems too complicated for me. I just use the 4CM and accept the sacrifice that it comes with.

Your way makes sense and sounds better in theory, obviously it seems to work for you as well but i cant wrap my head around adding more = affecting less.