Noise gates

[Thunderbird]

Hi all I really am pretty clueless with effects and was just wondering if some one can tell me in simpleton terms what the difference between noise gates limiters and compressors is please? I googled it but it just confused me more lol

Cheers in advance

[dincz]

Over-simplifying a bit but noise gates reduce gain (or switch off) when the signal level is low - in other words they switch off the hiss and hum when you're not playing a note. Compressors and limiters reduce gain when the signal level is high, so the loudest bits in your playing will be turned down.

[Thunderbird]

Thank you kind sir

[elephantgrey]

@dinkz pretty much summed it up. Id just like to add that the most common use for both is compressors usually are used either at start of the chain to even out your playing (especially useful if you swap between techniques) or at the (middle/)end of the chain to even out your effects. Noise gates are often used after noisy fuzz/dist's so that there is silence when your not playing a note, and nice wooliness when you do.