The Mooer Noise Killer pedal, which comes in the popular mini format and features true bypass, two operating modes (Hard and Soft), and a control knob for adjusting the threshold, allows all signals below the set threshold value to be automatically muted out when switched on. Users can select between two noise gate operating modes to control how fast signals below the threshold are muted – either almost instantly in Hard mode or more smoothly with a slight delay in Soft mode. Thanks to its generous dynamic range, which goes from -70dB to +10dB, the budget-friendly Mooer Noise Killer lends itself to a comprehensive range of practical applications. Thanks to the powerful status LED at the centre of the user interface, guitarists can always tell in the blink of an eye whether the noise gate is active or not – even during live gigs on a sparsely lit stage.
The Mooer Noise Killer eliminates unwanted noise from an electric guitar or bass signal by completely suppressing signals that are below a given threshold level. After turning up the volume on the guitar setup, the threshold control knob must be rotated in a clockwise direction without playing the guitar until the noise gate shuts down and the unwanted background noise is no longer audible. The Hard/Soft toggle switch serves to determine how quickly the Mooer Noise Killer cuts off the signals that are below the selected threshold: The Hard setting triggers instant attenuation and leads to an abrupt cut-off effect, which is quite customary in certain musical genres, whereas the Soft setting allows the unwanted noise to be attenuated more smoothly over an extended period of time. The Mooer Noise Killer is best placed after any distortion/overdrive effects and before the delay and reverb effects in the signal chain.
The noise gate is the only effect that remains virtually unnoticed when it is active, and has therefore become an integral part of every decent pedalboard and an absolute must-have effect in every professional signal chain destined for live performances. Any guitarist who performs live will know how quickly the background noise of a lighting cable or other source of interference on stage will ruin the impeccable sound of their single-coil guitar. Thanks to the Mooer Noise Killer, they can eliminate that unwanted noise and concentrate only on the music with a single press of the footswitch. Its dynamic range of 80dB makes the Noise Killer a versatile tool for both beginners and ambitious musicians that will capably handle a large variety of applications. Those who are looking for a noise gate pedal for professional Metal sounds, however, should opt instead for a model with attack and release times.
Mooer is based in the Chinese city of Shenzhen and has been making products for guitarists since 2010, which include compact single pedals through to multi-effects units and compact amplifiers. The company initially produced a range of mini pedals before making perhaps its most significant breakthrough in 2016 with the sophisticated Ocean Machine delay pedal, which was designed in collaboration with Devin Townsend. Mooer's product range now also includes solutions that feature amp modelling, IR-based speaker simulation, and matching equalisers, and the company's focus remains firmly on the use of digital technology.
A fast-acting noise gate is absolutely essential when it comes to high-distortion Heavy Metal and Hardcore sounds. A tightly played palm mute riff will only sound tight when it is followed by absolute silence – and when the gain reaches a certain level, this can only be achieved with a noise gate that has a fast and hard attack. To this effect, some manufacturers even offer distortion pedals with an integrated noise gate. However, the Mooer Noise Killer will also capably handle a wide range of other applications on stage, in the rehearsal room, and in the studio that require unwanted background noise to be reliably eliminated from a guitar or bass signal. It is even possible to create a gated reverb effect by integrating the Mooer Noise Killer pedal into the FX loop behind the reverb effect.