Ross R-40 Noise Gate/Direct Box

It's pretty self-explanatory. Two knobs and a bypass switch. If you can't figure it out, you probably don't need one.

I'm a slow learner. I've had three previous Ross effects, and every single one of them was junk. EVERY ONE. I had a phaser, a wah, and (I think) a distortion. They sounded bad, and they generally quit working in a short period of time. But, I figured, how can you mess up a DI box? They did. I would run it last in my chain, set to output both to my amp and the PA mixer, just like you're supposed to according to the instructions (and common sense). Shortly, we developed a noise problem with the PA -- a high frequency hum that sounded like our tweeters were failing, or about to fail. We checked EVERYTHING! Finally, by accident at a gig, I discovered it was the Ross R-40 box that was the source of the hum. In checking this thing out, it selects signal output by opening and closing a switch to GROUND! Not good for a pro setup, because what you want connected to the PA is often times an OPEN GROUND to avoid ground loops (which just happen to sound like hum). I immediately tossed the thing, and went back to a mike. Poorly designed JUNK!! Anybody whose ever worked around sound systems knows about ground lifts -- except the people at Ross. I hope they've all retired.

Like I said, my experience with Ross products has been ugly. The best thing that ever happened to American musicians is that they went out of business.

When I did call, years ago, support was poor. They wanted to give me an RA number and send it back, prepaid.

The band I was in at the time I used the R-40 played melodic hard rock and top-40. Lots of vocals, and a clean PA with total sound reinforcement. I wouldn't advise anybody to buy one of these things. Not even for parts. By the way, I used the switch, case, and jacks to build my own compressor. The unit did have a nice metal case.

The Ross Direct Box/Noise Gate has two knobs -- one for threshold, and one to select whether you want the sound to go to the 1/4" amp output or the XLR mixer output, or both. Turn the threshold knob until you get the amount of noise reduction you want. Very simple. Takes one 9V battery.

It does its best work when a louder signal goes into it, like heavily distorted and overdriven sounds. Does your amp sound like a pit of snakes when you turn on your distortion? Turn on this magic black box and get rid of the nasty hiss almost completely. Doesn't hurt the sustain or color your sound, just does what it's supposed to do -- kill the noise. I don't use it for clean sounds.

It's this old and it still functions this well, I'd say that's pretty reliable.

Get one if you can find one. I opened up the inside of this -- wow. They don't make them like this anymore.

getting a sound out of this black, 1981-made pedal is no problem unless you've hooked it up incorrectly or have the threshold turned up too high!!! :) this pedal offers two outs (one xlr and one 1/4") and you can choose the gate to function for one, the other, or both-- very cool! apparently, this pedal offers phantom power as well, but i cannot figure out how to use it, thus the slightly lower rating.

this thing is a fabulous silencer.

sound quality (or lack there of) is great. i have not noticed a significant drop of volume or tone coloration when turned on. it's much better than other gates in the sense that Ross Noise Gates do not go nuts when used in conjunction with noisy fuzz pedals (in my case, the EHX Muff Fuzz and Big Muff). sometimes, if the threshold is too low, sounds will flicker on and off, but it's not unmanageable.

i only use this pedal when i need distorted sounds-- i don't need it for undistorted tones since i like to let notes ring out. I have a very noisy rig -- 78 telecaster, muff fuzz, vb-2, rat, etc. so this pedal makes life, for me as well as other band members', much easier!

I've even used this pedal for vocals and it works great! Try placing it in front of reverb...

The first one I purchased from Analogman worked for about three weeks and then it died. i sent it back to him and he sent me a new one. turns out the chip died; however, i would gig without a backup since it's not a complete necessity for me to use this pedal. it's just much more convenient than constantly turning down the guitar volume during rests. if you have any questions, please send them my way!

never deal with. Analogman, however, is great-- definitely check out his web site. he always e-mails back, 9 times out of 10, in the same day, and is very helpful. we exchanged 10 or so messages before i purchased this pedal from him.

the ross noise gate/line driver great for what i need. basically, this pedal is a MXR gate that ross took and improved. im sure there are cheaper ones out there and "higher" quality rackmounted gates (rocktron), but i have no complaints with this stompbox. it's small, easy to use, and effective-- yes, my first one broke down, but that's understandable when dealing with a 20 year old pedal. if you are a guitarist and need a stompbox gate that works effectively distortions, compressors, eqs, and other noisy effects AND doesn't mess with your tone-- check this one out. it's hard to find, but worth it when you get your hands on one!!!