BOSS NS-1X Noise Suppressor

The BOSS NS-1X Noise Suppressor is the latest addition to the X series lineup of compact pedals by the Japanese builder, featuring advanced Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology.

The NS-1X is designed to effectively eliminate unwanted noise without compromising the natural tone and feel of your guitar or bass. Its swift processing and versatile operation modes cater to a wide range of scenarios, from subtle noise reduction for general stage and studio setups to rapid gating for heavy rhythm styles and other techniques that rely on high-gain tones.

Background noise can be a significant issue for guitar and bass players, especially in high-gain configurations. The NS-1X, with its proprietary MDP approach, delivers swift and transparent noise reduction across all applications, avoiding the unnatural artifacts often associated with standard noise suppression systems. Utilizing high-speed digital technology, the NS-1X continuously analyzes the input signal in real-time at multiple levels, ensuring precise noise reduction suitable for various playing styles and performance environments.

The NS-1X offers multiple operation modesfor any situation:

  1. Reduction Mode delivers gentle noise suppression and preserves natural note decay, compatible with all pickup types, including low-output single coils.
  2. Gate Mode is ideal for high-gain players, this mode instantly mutes the sound when no signal is present. MDP technology ensures lightning-fast response, maintaining a natural playing feel and crisp note attack, making it perfect for percussive djent riffs, sweep picking, and legato tapping techniques.
  3. Mute Mode transforms the pedal’s bypass setting into a convenient mute switch for instrument changes, tuning, and set breaks. The NS-1X can operate in either Reduction or Gate mode when the pedal switch is off, easily assignable through a straightforward power-up procedure.

Knobs for Threshold, Decay, and Damp allow precise adjustment of the selected mode’s parameterse. It also features a Reduction indicator that dynamically displays the current noise suppression status. In addition to standard input and output connectors, the NS-1X incorporates a send/return  FX loop for enhanced performance when used with distortions, overdrives, and other noise-producing pedals.

BOSS NS-1X, Builder’s Notes

Noise No More
Powered by advanced BOSS MDP technology, the NS-1X intelligently silences noise without affecting the natural tone and playing feel of your guitar or bass. Reduction mode keeps your rig quiet in any general playing setup, while Gate mode provides ultra-fast performance to ensure that precision, high-gain riffs remain sharp and distinct. Versatile and easy to use, the NS-1X is an essential tool for defeating noise issues while practicing, performing, and recording.

Cutting-Edge Noise Suppression
Background noise can be problematic with guitar and bass, particularly in high-gain setups. The proprietary MDP approach used in the NS-1X delivers fast, transparent operation in every application, eliminating the unnatural attack and decay artifacts that can be introduced with standard noise suppression systems. High-speed digital technology analyzes the input signal on multiple levels in real time, enabling ultra-detailed processing that provides just the right amount of noise reduction for any playing style or performance venue.

Maximum Versatility
The NS-1X features multiple operation modes to fine-tune the noise suppression for your needs.

Reduction—This mode provides gentle noise suppression that works with most instruments and playing styles. The note decay is natural and noise-free with all pickup types, including low-output single coils.

Gate—Ideal for high-gain sounds, this mode immediately silences the sound when no signal is present. MDP provides a lightning-fast response that no other noise reduction pedal can deliver, ensuring a natural playing feel and punchy note attack for percussive djent riffs, sweep picking, and legato tapping techniques.

Mute—This mode turns the pedal’s bypass setting into a convenient mute switch for changing instruments, tuning, and set breaks. The NS-1X will operate in either Reduction or Gate mode when the pedal switch is off, assignable using a simple power-up procedure.

3 Operation Modes

Quick and Easy Operation
With intuitive controls and a multi-LED indicator, you can dial in your perfect noise suppression profile in seconds.

Threshold—Determines the level when the noise suppression begins. In Reduction mode, start with the knob at the lowest setting and turn it clockwise until the noise disappears. In Gate mode, start at the highest setting and gradually turn the knob down until you achieve the attack response that feels right to you.

Decay—Determines when the selected mode reaches maximum noise suppression. Start at the lowest setting, then turn the knob clockwise if needed to achieve a more natural decay.

Damp—This controls the maximum amount of noise reduction. Higher settings make the noise reduction effect stronger and clearer. Lower settings reduce the strength of the effect, which may provide more natural results with some playing styles.

Reduction Indicator—Displays the current noise suppression status.

Precise Detection
The NS-1X circuitry detects the signal at the input stage and activates the noise reduction at the output stage. It works best when your instrument is connected directly to the input jack before any other pedals. When using distortions, overdrives, and other noise-producing pedals, the most natural results are achieved by inserting them in the NS-1X’s send/return loop. This allows the circuitry to continually detect the clean input signal while eliminating noise from the pedals within the loop, providing the smoothest performance as you turn them on and off.

Premium Noise Elimination for Guitar, Bass, and Other Instruments
Thanks to its advanced digital processing and wide frequency response, the NS-1X provides outstanding performance for standard guitars and basses and extended-range instruments with additional strings. It’s also an excellent noise suppression solution for keyboards and other types of electronic instruments.

MDP: Advanced Tech, Superior Tone
Leveraging decades of research and development, BOSS’s proprietary Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology offers a fresh approach to achieving exceptional tones. In real time, MDP analyzes the various elements that make up the sound, including frequency, overtones, dynamics, pickup response, and more. Various playing characteristics are analyzed as well, such as note register, single notes vs. chords, bends, vibrato amount, and others. Each individual element is then processed in unique ways to produce optimized tones as you play. With its ultra-detailed, high-tech approach, MDP delivers tone quality and playability that reaches far beyond the limits of traditional effects processing.

Features

  • Next-generation noise suppressor and gate for guitar, bass, and other electronic musical instruments
  • Intelligent BOSS MDP technology eliminates noise with no impact on playing feel or response
  • Intuitive operation with Threshold, Decay, and Damp knobs
  • Reduction mode for general noise suppression applications
  • Gate mode provides ultra-fast noise elimination for tapping, sweep picking, and heavy rhythm styles that rely on high-gain tones
  • Mute mode for silencing the instrument signal when the pedal switch is engaged (the pedal operates in user-selectable Reduction or
  • Gate mode when the switch is off)
  • Reduction indicator that dynamically displays the current noise suppression status
  • Send/return loop for optimized noise elimination with overdrives, distortions, and other noise-producing pedals
  • DC Out for distributing power to other pedals (requires optional PSA adaptor and PCS-20A parallel cable)
  • BOSS five-year warranty