Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor

The Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor is the industry standard for taming unwanted noise in guitar signal chains, and has been for decades. Where many noise gates simply chop the signal when it drops below a threshold, the NS-2 uses a detection circuit that monitors the input signal and applies attenuation smoothly, preserving natural note decay rather than creating abrupt cutoffs.

Two modes offer different approaches to noise control. Reduction mode applies variable gating directly to the input signal — suitable for use at the end of a chain or in simple one-pedal applications. Mute mode drops the signal completely below the threshold rather than attenuating it gradually, producing a tighter, more assertive gate useful for high-gain styles where absolute noise rejection is the priority.

The Send and Return jacks are what make the NS-2 genuinely powerful. By placing noisy pedals — typically high-gain drives and distortions — in the NS-2's effects loop, the noise suppressor monitors the guitar signal before those pedals and uses it as the detection reference. This means the gate opens and closes based on your playing dynamics rather than reacting to the noise the downstream pedals are generating. The result is far more natural gating than a simple inline suppressor can achieve.

A 9V DC output jack allows the NS-2 to power one additional Boss compact pedal via a PCS-20A daisy-chain cable — a useful convenience that saves a power supply output on smaller boards.

Two controls — Threshold and Decay — cover the two most important parameters. Threshold sets the signal level at which gating begins; Decay controls how quickly the gate closes once the signal drops. Together they are sufficient to dial in effective suppression across most noise scenarios without over-engineering the process.

Who Is This For?

The NS-2 is essential for high-gain players running multiple drive pedals, anyone experiencing significant hum or hiss on stage, and players using older single-coil guitars prone to 50Hz mains hum. It works particularly well when noisy pedals are placed in the Send/Return loop, and the DC output makes it a convenient power hub for simple boards.