threshold

Threshold is a control or set point on effects pedals that determines the level above or below which the circuit acts, such as filtering out sounds below a certain level so only the desired audio signal is heard¹. On noise gates like the Boss NS-2, the threshold and decay controls allow for shaping the elimination or suppression of unwanted noise as desired², and the Carl Martin Noise Terminator lets a player switch between two threshold settings². In compressors, threshold levels shape how compression engages, adding weight and warm sustain even at modest settings³, while higher threshold settings on pedals like the Guyatone BL-2 yield a warm, round, slightly gritty tone⁴. Threshold also appears in drives and filters, where it shapes clipping character⁵ or filter sweep behavior⁶.