Boss launches NS-1X, its first new Noise Suppressor pedal since 1987

September 14, 2023 · 4 sources

Boss announced the NS-1X Noise Suppressor on September 14, 2023, its first new noise suppressor pedal since the 1987 NS-2¹². The pedal is the latest addition to the company's X series of compact pedals, which use Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology²³.

The NS-1X has three operation modes. Reduction provides gentle noise suppression and natural note decay with all pickup types, including low-output single coils³⁴. Gate is aimed at high-gain players and silences the sound when no signal is present; Boss describes it as providing "ultra-fast noise elimination for tapping, sweep picking, and heavy rhythm styles"¹². Mute turns the pedal's bypass setting into a mute switch for changing instruments, tuning, and set breaks²³. The pedal will operate in either Reduction or Gate mode when the pedal switch is off, assignable using a power-up procedure²⁴.

Threshold, Decay and Damp knobs fine-tune the selected mode, and a Reduction indicator displays the current noise suppression status¹³. Along with standard input and output connectors, the pedal has a send/return loop for distortions, overdrives and other noise-producing pedals²³. Gearnews also reports a DC output for sharing supply voltage with other pedals⁴.

Boss says the MDP processing "intelligently silence[s] noise without affecting the natural tone and playing feel of a guitar or bass"¹³:

The NS-1X is available now at authorized US Boss retailers for $199.99¹³. Gearnews lists a US MSRP of $199 and notes the pedal is roughly twice the price of the original NS-2⁴. Boss also says the pedal suits standard guitars and basses, extended-range instruments with additional strings, and keyboards and other electronic instruments³.