Quiet the Noise, Keep the Tone
You've dialed in the perfect high-gain tone — crushing distortion, just the right amount of bite — and then you stop playing and the amp just... hisses at you. It's the universal struggle of anyone who's ever stacked drive pedals or wrestled with a set of single-coil pickups. The Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor has been solving that exact problem since 1987, and it's still one of the most straightforward, reliable ways to clean up a noisy rig.
The NS-2 eliminates unwanted noise and hum without altering your instrument's natural tone. That's the part that matters. A lot of noise-reduction options will tame the hiss but leave your signal feeling a little strangled. The NS-2 uses a unique noise detection circuit that preserves the natural attack and envelope of your sound, so your notes still bloom and decay the way they should.
Whether you're running single-coil pickups through a cranked amp, stacking gain pedals, or dealing with a notoriously buzzy pedalboard, the NS-2 gives you the controls to dial things in without second-guessing your signal chain.
Three Controls, Plenty of Range
The NS-2 keeps it simple: Threshold, Decay, and Mode. The Threshold knob sets the level at which the suppressor kicks in — lower settings catch more noise, but you'll want to find the sweet spot where you're not cutting off quiet notes or gentle picking. Decay controls how quickly the suppression releases, letting you dial in a more natural fade rather than an abrupt gate-style cutoff.
The Mode switch gives you two options: Reduction and Mute. In Reduction mode, the NS-2 actively suppresses noise when your signal falls below the threshold. Mute mode silences the output completely when the pedal is engaged — handy for killing all signal between songs or when tuning up. A red indicator LED lets you see exactly when the suppression circuit is active, which is genuinely useful when you're setting levels for the first time.
The Built-In Effects Loop Changes Everything
Here's where the NS-2 really earns its place on a busy pedalboard. In addition to the standard Input and Output jacks, the NS-2 includes a Send and Return jack for a dedicated effects loop. This lets you route your noisiest pedals — typically your gain and drive pedals — through the NS-2's loop, so the suppressor can use your dry guitar signal as the detection trigger while still processing the noisy effected signal.
The result is smarter, more musical noise suppression. Instead of the pedal reacting to an already-distorted signal, it reads the cleaner guitar input and applies suppression accordingly. Players running high-gain rigs or using the four-cable method with their amp's effects loop will find this especially useful for keeping the noise floor in check without compromising dynamics.
Built to Last, Powered Simply
The NS-2 uses the same rugged metal chassis found on all Boss compact pedals — the kind of construction that holds up to years of regular gigging without complaint. Power comes from a standard 9V battery or a Boss PSA-series AC adapter (sold separately). The pedal also features a 9V DC output jack, allowing it to supply power to other compatible Boss pedals via a daisy-chain cable, which can help simplify power on a packed pedalboard.
Bypass switching is buffered, consistent with all Boss compact pedals — meaning your signal is actively managed even when the effect is off. This helps maintain signal strength when running long cable runs or chaining multiple pedals together.
Product Features:
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Effect Type: Noise suppressor / noise gate for guitar and bass
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Noise Detection Circuit: Preserves natural attack and envelope of your instrument's sound
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Controls: Threshold, Decay, and Mode (Reduction / Mute)
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Built-In Effects Loop: Send and Return jacks for isolating and suppressing noisy pedals
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Connections: Input, Output, Send, Return (all 1/4"), plus DC In and 9V DC Out jacks
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Bypass: Buffered bypass
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Power: 9V battery or Boss PSA-series AC adapter (sold separately)
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DC Output: Powers other compatible Boss pedals via optional daisy-chain cable
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Indicator LED: Red light shows when suppression circuit is actively engaged
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Build: Rugged metal chassis in the standard Boss compact pedal format
Brand: Boss
Model: NS-2 Noise Suppressor
SKU: NS-2
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
