Skip to main content Skip to footer
Our Strat® specialists are standing by: Call 866‑388‑4445 or chat to save on orders of $199+
Search
View Cart

Expanders and Noise Gates

What are expanders and noise gates?

Expanders are dynamic processors that increase the dynamic range of a signal. They make loud sounds louder and soft sounds softer. They're like an amplifier with a variable gain control and the gain is controlled by the level of the input signal. Expanders are used by musicians to produce more extremes in recordings that have a limited dynamic range. This gives the music more intense dynamics.

Noise gates are typically used to eliminate unwanted noise and hiss which would otherwise be heard when an instrument is not being played. The noise gate's threshold needs to be at the precise point so unwanted noise falls below it and the instrument's complete notes can be heard.

Expanders and noise gates should be near the end of the effects chain, so noise created by other effects can be "gated" when you're not playing. I place my delay and reverb effects after the noise gate so their sounds trail off naturally.

Back to FAQ
You are changing the Ship-To country.

Our product catalog varies by country due to manufacturer restrictions. If you change the Ship-To country, some or all of the items in your cart may not ship to the new destination.