This is a library of perfboard and single-sided PCB effect layouts for guitar and bass. I'm not an electrical engineer by any stretch of the imagination, just a DIY'er who likes drawing layouts. It is meant for the hobbyist (so commercial use of any of these layout is not allowed without permission) and as a way to give back to the online DIY community.

Monday, July 25, 2016

One-Knob Noise Gate

Found this one over on the Tagboard forum and thought it would be a good addition here. It's a simple noise gate with minimal parts count that can easily fit in a 1590a. I've laid it out for a board mounted pot. The schematic calls for a 1M pot, but people have built this using one as low as 25k, so experiment there. The original schematic was a little hard to read so I redrew it.


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77 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 25, 2016 at 11:07 AM

    A pair of BC550 will work ok?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Effects LayoutsJuly 25, 2016 at 11:51 AM

    I would think so. That's what I would sub.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BerkicauJuly 25, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    yay!!! let's make one, coz our mxr noise gate didn't work
    awesome as usual brother.
    still finding way to donate though...

    ReplyDelete
  4. BerkicauJuly 25, 2016 at 2:32 PM

    ah, one question,
    will rotated 2n7000 for bs170 do?

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJuly 25, 2016 at 4:13 PM

    can i use j201 or 2n5457 instead of the bs170????

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    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsJuly 25, 2016 at 4:22 PM

      No, that needs to be a MOSFET, not a JFET. BS170 or 2N7000 are your best bet.

      Delete
  6. wainer.said@gmail.comJuly 25, 2016 at 4:44 PM

    You can use BSS296 or 2SK422 , pinning attention? Another detail and that the gain of the 2N7000 and a little less than the BS170 , will have to reverse also the 2N7000 .

    ReplyDelete
  7. Diego JorgeJuly 26, 2016 at 8:37 AM

    Spectacular! Just in these days I was drawing exactly the same diagram, but you did first, great!
    How you can mod it to control the decay
    or attack of the gate?
    Greetings from Argentina!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emanuel ChavesFebruary 13, 2017 at 10:46 AM

      Diego! Lo arme y asi como figura aca funciona muy bien. Le puse un LPB-1 antes y ahi si que quedo excelente, tiene un muy buen desempeño. Estaba buscando la misma mod que vos, pero nada (convengamos que no soy un Einsten en esto y que lo arme hace pocos dias :P). Si descubriste algo y podes compartirlo, seria genial! Abrazo papa!

      Delete
    2. PabloMay 21, 2017 at 3:23 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. PabloMay 21, 2017 at 3:24 PM

      Hello, I found this topic in the diystomboxes forum.
      Kipper4 solution is good.
      I hope it works for you
      http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=114229.0

      Delete
    4. DavidMauroJune 23, 2017 at 7:39 AM

      Diego, como estas? Vos sabes que yo arme este mismo... pero puede ser q funcione bien cuando viene con ganancia? O sea le conecto solo la guitarra con un simple bobina para q haga zumbido y no lo corta.... lo probaste con pote de 1 mega o 25 k? Saludos!

      Delete
  8. UnknownAugust 6, 2016 at 5:53 AM

    Verified

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownAugust 6, 2016 at 5:55 AM

    I used 2n7000 and 2n3904 for Bjt's .. thanks PCB layoutsb:D greetings From Philippines

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan arloOctober 13, 2019 at 7:22 PM

      Pag gamit ka 2n7000 at 2n3904 need i rotare lahat? Btw how's the sound?

      Delete
    2. UnknownJanuary 24, 2021 at 11:17 AM

      Does it worked as expected?

      Delete
  10. UnknownAugust 6, 2016 at 5:58 AM

    All transistors should be rotated in 180 deg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 10, 2016 at 6:07 PM

      Why? I have all the parts installed as shown above and signal passes but I don't think it is gating the sound. Nothing changes when I turn the pot all the way clockwise. All sound drops drastically when the pot is all the way counterclockwise.

      Why do you say rotate the transistors?

      Delete
  11. BerkicauAugust 23, 2016 at 1:47 AM

    my build is working correctly. but the pot, A1M, I don't get any change when I turn it up and down. It also reduces my overall volume a little bit.
    any idea?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsAugust 23, 2016 at 10:43 AM

      See the post about the pot value and it might just benefit from a buffer in front of it.

      Delete
    2. UnknownJanuary 23, 2017 at 8:55 AM

      I am the same as several people speaking, nothing happens. I can understand that silence failed when switching on, but nothing happens, same as when off. If you are successfully verified, please advise me.

      Delete
  12. UnknownSeptember 6, 2016 at 7:39 PM

    While i'm waiting for a pair of bs170 i've tried with an irf520 but it doesn't nothing with the sound, it's still the same. That mosfet by the way, has almost the same values than bs170.... What should be the problem????

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nick JamesOctober 5, 2016 at 3:38 PM

    Built but it is effecting the tone quite a bit. When using a clean sound, its sounding slightly distorted. I'm using 2 BC550's and a BS170 as my trannies. Any ideas or does that explain why most noise gate circuits are much much bigger?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Emanuel ChavesFebruary 13, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    Verified! It works really great with a buffer or a booster in front of it. Nice work guys!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownFebruary 16, 2017 at 5:19 PM

    Hello! thank you all for your contributions. I have learned a lot by building several pedals here.
    Now a question. What is the function of diodes 5718 ?, since in the schematic does not appear. Greetings from Argentina.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsFebruary 16, 2017 at 8:22 PM

      That's just there for polarity protection. If you accidentally plug in a power supply that is positive ground, that diode with keep the circuit safe.

      Delete
  16. UnknownFebruary 17, 2017 at 9:31 AM


    Thank you very much for your reply. So, can this diode be replaced by a diode 1n4001 or similar? Thank you very much again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsFebruary 17, 2017 at 10:27 AM

      Yes, a 4001 will work, but will drop a little more voltage than the 5817. But it shouldn't be a big deal.

      Delete
  17. UnknownFebruary 17, 2017 at 12:00 PM

    Thank you very much everyone for the responses.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mike CherMarch 15, 2017 at 8:33 AM

    HI! Thanks for amazing site with a lot of great schematics. I'm new in diy and this is my second effect, and I have a problem with it.
    I did it on pcb version with the same components such on layout, but when I turn up pot, it starts gating immediately and stop it in a second (or few), this happens when turn pot up, when it turn down - nothing happened. Please help me to find a problem. Sorry for bad English.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mike CherMarch 15, 2017 at 8:43 AM

    UPD: When I'm playing, it turns on gating every 10-15 seconds on few seconds again.
    Can problem be in some of capacitors? Or something else?

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousApril 22, 2017 at 11:39 AM

    Hi!

    This thing works like a charm in my amps FX loop.
    Kinda on/off, will box it without the B1M.
    Does what it's supposed to and good.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. DavidMauroJune 26, 2017 at 12:34 PM


    Works fine, but when it opens to let signal pass a "click" is heard. Use bs549 and bs170 and potentiometer of 25k. Is there any way to fix that "click", Thank you

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    Replies
    1. UnknownDecember 3, 2018 at 9:48 AM

      The most classical way to avoid a "poc" when switching is to put a "high" value polarised cap (minimum 22uf) between the V+ and the V- (or ground). I've already add one directly to the power supply socket with success; it works like that too.

      Delete
  22. UnknownSeptember 24, 2017 at 5:30 PM

    Hello Effects Layouts. I was just wondering why do the schematic and layout have some differences? The layout has a 220nF capacitor, but the layout has a 47uF one. Also on the schematic there's only 2 diodes but the layout has 3, adding a 5817.

    Could you help a beginner understand what's going on? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsSeptember 24, 2017 at 9:50 PM

      The extra diode is for polarity protection and the 47uF cap is for power filtering. The 220nF cap is consistent with the schematic and layout.

      Delete
    2. UnknownSeptember 25, 2017 at 2:01 PM

      Thanks a bunch!

      Delete
  23. UnknownNovember 4, 2017 at 2:11 PM

    Hello …
    where is the layout ? Can't find it in the "O" folder …
    Thx

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownNovember 14, 2017 at 5:22 AM

    very good noise gate !! works very good !

    ReplyDelete
  25. NkoDecember 10, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    It sound a click when is gating, how can I fix it? Maybe putting 1M resistor between In and ground?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Reg O'GradyFebruary 10, 2018 at 5:13 AM

    A little confused about polarity of the 10uF cap. Schematic and Savas' layout on tagboardeffects have the input going to +'ve of cap and gate 1. Other layouts on that site and the one here have input going -'ve of cap and gate 1.
    could this account for some experiencing odd or no effect from Gate pot?
    Which polarity of the 10uF is correct do you think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Effects LayoutsFebruary 11, 2018 at 10:25 PM

      In my experience, with polarized caps at the input with center negative effects, the positive side goes towards the transistor. If you're getting noise though, feel free to flip that cap. Might work.

      Delete
  27. Reg O'GradyFebruary 11, 2018 at 11:43 PM

    OK. Will have a fiddle. Thanks for all the good work you do here.

    ReplyDelete
  28. UnknownJune 5, 2018 at 10:50 PM

    Great little circuit. I used a 250KB pot with best result on my DIY high gain tube amp (approx. 20 watt) at 75% volume about 60% gain. Over that and it should have at least a 500k pot or higher. Thanks John

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownJune 9, 2018 at 8:24 AM

    hi any modification ?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Charvel502June 27, 2018 at 12:15 AM

    I couldn't get mine to work, I etched and built it 2 times and even did the perf board version with no success. And then I switched the BS170 for a J201 and bam! Worked right away, even with the 1M (though I've swapped it for a 250K). I had the same issue with the mxr noise gate and the J201 swapped worked on it too. Hope this helps

    ReplyDelete
  31. SergioSeptember 25, 2018 at 1:55 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  32. MauroNovember 14, 2018 at 9:43 AM

    I built mine to decrease the noise in the crunch channel of a Peavey 112 (Is connected on the effect loop) but it only works when the volume is higher than 40%... Any ideas on how to resolve this? No components have been replaced..

    ReplyDelete
  33. MANAMarch 18, 2019 at 12:48 AM

    I tried it and works well with 25k pot.
    This circuit is severely affected by the individual differences of the transistors' hfe, I expect.

    ReplyDelete
  34. ittnokiaJuly 8, 2019 at 7:24 AM

    I made this circuit using a B100k pot.It works really nice after my overdrive pedal,than it goes straight into a high gain tube amp.Thanks for the layout.

    ReplyDelete
  35. tertiumsquidJanuary 4, 2020 at 11:42 PM

    Built this one. Disappointed. It pretty much requires a buffer in front of it, otherwise you'll get a volume drop and distortion (and even with a buffer there's a slight crunchiness to it). I found on my build that a 1m pot was way overkill - even the lowest level gated a bit too much. 100k is probably good. Built with a BS170 and a pair of BC550C (HFE a little over 500).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tertiumsquidJanuary 5, 2020 at 2:52 AM

      After playing with it a bit longer, I think it's adequate in an effects loop, but not on it's own with a guitar plugged straight in. It's still a bit crunchy, but it seems fine on dirty guitar at least.

      Delete
    2. Jan arloJanuary 22, 2020 at 7:37 AM

      What transistors did you use?

      Delete
  36. Jun dOctober 2, 2020 at 8:04 PM

    I might as well try this one.. long live!
    Jun from Philippines

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jun dOctober 3, 2020 at 5:05 AM

    I just build it few hours ago and it works! 2n3904 and 2n7000 can be used perfectly!
    Jun fr Philippines

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. stargooseApril 7, 2021 at 2:01 AM

      Hi Jun, I used the same transistors as you did and oriented them correctly. But I think the gating is always “on” since the entire volume drops when I engage it even when the pot’s all the way down. Do you have an idea where I might’ve went wrong? Triple checked my components all are fine. Greetings from the Ph as well!

      Delete
    2. Jun dOctober 16, 2021 at 8:55 PM

      Cguro tama yang ginawa mo katulad sa akin . Try running it before a buffer or boost circuit. Low class ito na NG i would recomend mxr NG bro.tested ko na. Sa jfet gamit ko 2sk118and 2n3904 sa trans

      Delete
  38. SalvageUnitarioDecember 15, 2020 at 7:11 PM

    Hi, I can't make it work right. Using a B1M has no effect when i move the pot. I always suppress the same. Also tried with 500k (same result) and 25k (this one has a no sound result). With 1M also has too low volumen, you can't even hear the sound coming from the guitar.
    Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  39. MarceloApril 16, 2021 at 3:45 PM

    Hi. I'm looking at the circuit and i notice that some electrolitic capacitors are inverted compared to the same circuit in other sites. Are they verified?
    Thanks a lot! I love this site!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manuel MarsicobetreJune 15, 2021 at 8:15 PM

      Hello, can you pass me a link of those circuits that you mention?
      I would like to compare and test
      thank you

      Delete
  40. Manuel MarsicobetreJune 4, 2021 at 2:22 PM

    hello everyone, does this project work?
    Is there any schematic or layout with improvements that can help me build it?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Manuel MarsicobetreJune 4, 2021 at 2:27 PM

    Where do I get the image to record the pcb?

    ReplyDelete
  42. UnknownJune 11, 2021 at 5:32 AM

    why it doesn't work? I've been three times to making this Noise Gate. But, still doesn't working. I put 1M pots (still not) and use 25K pots (still not working). I use BS170, 1N4148, 1N5817 as the pic and use all of same resistor value that need. And the one that I got frustrated is, my guitar sound has no signal to amplifier after I turn on this pedal. Any idea to fix this problem? I really need NOISE GATE, if you can show me what should i do.. I really big thanks to you.. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  43. BornrippyApril 10, 2022 at 7:52 AM

    I got it working... 2N7000 in reverse polarity, BC549c x 2 - A buffer stage before it and for quieter pickups a booster stage at the beginning... works really well.. now just gotta figure out how to make the gate smoother. thanks a bunch for sharing this cool circuit.

    ReplyDelete
  44. DominApril 16, 2022 at 2:46 PM

    I tried it, it changed the tone but it didnt suppress hum...i had booster connected to jfet preamp into amp and all gain at max and it didnt do anything...

    ReplyDelete
  45. Chris HJuly 25, 2022 at 7:24 AM

    Sadly, this crude circuit will tend to spoil the sound of your guitar somewhat if it's used in a high impedance circuit (like the output of many older effects or the output of a guitar). It's just too simple to work effectively. My noise gate uses a buffered 4066 gate, controlled by a high frequency variable mark / space ratio squarewave. The ratio is varied by the incoming level. When the switch is mostly on, the audio passes with almost no attenuation. As the "mark" part of the waveform diminishes, the amount of audio passed is reduced. This gives a very smooth "fade", and completely eliminates all distortion. The circuit will be published shortly on FSB.

    ReplyDelete
  46. InitiallyReluctantJune 29, 2023 at 1:55 PM

    What's this pedal supposed to do? It seems that if it's turned up enough to gate the noise, it ends up going completely silent if there's a break in the guitar playing. The whole thing is pretty frustrating. Anybody had this result and then fixed it?

    ReplyDelete

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