The ISP Technologies DECI-MATE Micro Decimator is a compact noise gate pedal that puts the company's Decimator noise reduction circuit into a small effects pedal. ISP Technologies describes it as "a full implementation of the world renowned Decimator circuit with new tracking improvements" in a pedal-sized box1. For a player with a high-gain rig that hums, hisses or feeds back between phrases, it sits in the signal chain and pulls the noise floor down while you are not playing, then opens back up when you are.
The pedal is built for guitar noise reduction, with a single guitar input, a single output, and true bypass so it drops out of the chain entirely when switched off1.
Adaptive tracking and noise reduction
What separates the Decimator approach from a simple noise gate is its adaptive release. ISP Technologies rates the release response as "Adaptive over 1000 to 1 ratio"1, meaning the circuit does not shut and open at one fixed speed. Instead, the company holds patents for the adaptive response of the Decimator, which tracks the envelope of both super fast staccato notes and long sustained notes1. In practice, that means a quick palm-muted chug and a slow-decaying held note each get a release behavior matched to how the note actually ends, rather than one compromise setting that can either chop notes short or let noise leak through.
The maximum noise reduction is rated at greater than 90 dB1, which is far more attenuation than a player typically needs to clean up an amp's idle hiss or a distortion pedal's hum. The input impedance is 500k ohms, in the normal range for a guitar input, and the maximum input level is +10 dBu1.
Power and connections
The Deci-Mate runs on a 9V DC supply with a tip negative, sleeve positive plug1. That is the same center-negative polarity used by most standard pedal power supplies, so it fits a typical daisy chain or isolated supply without an adapter cable.
No power supply is included with the pedal1, so plan on supplying your own 9V DC source.
Connections are simple: one 1/4 inch guitar input and one 1/4 inch output1. There is no effects loop or key input on this model, so it gates the single signal passing through it rather than sampling a clean send the way the larger ISP Decimator G String designs do.
Deci-Mate and Deci-Mate G compared
ISP Technologies also makes the DECI-MATE G Micro Decimator, a second micro pedal in the same family. The two share most of their specification2:
| Specification | Deci-Mate | Deci-Mate G |
|---|---|---|
| Pedal type | Guitar noise reduction1 | Guitar noise reduction1 |
| Circuit | Decimator circuit with new tracking improvements1 | Decimator circuit with patent pending tracking improvements2 |
| Maximum noise reduction | Greater than 90 dB1 | Greater than 90 dB1 |
| Release response | Adaptive over 1000 to 1 ratio1 | Adaptive over 1000 to 1 ratio1 |
| True bypass | Yes1 | Yes2 |
| Power input | 9V DC1 | 9V DC2 |
| Maximum input level | +10 dBu1 | +10 dBu2 |
| Input impedance | 500k ohms1 | 500k ohms2 |
| Inputs / outputs | 1 x 1/4 inch each1 | 1 x 1/4 inch each2 |
| Power supply included | No1 | No2 |
The practical difference is in the tracking: the G version carries ISP's patent pending tracking improvements2, where the original Deci-Mate carries the earlier round of tracking updates1. Both are micro pedals, with the G described by the maker as "all in a small, micro pedal package"2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Deci-Mate G in April 2020 and came away convinced of the value of gating in general for noisy rigs. The reviewer found a noise gate essential for players with loud, high-octane rigs to keep feedback and volume at acceptable levels, and concluded3:
"anyone with any kind of noisy rig would be a fool to not give it a go"3
ISP Technologies lists the Decimator's chassis size as 3.7 inches x 1.5 inches x 1.3 inches1, small enough to fit on a crowded pedalboard alongside other mini-format noise gates.
That verdict lines up with the pedal's purpose: it is a guitar noise reduction pedal1.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Deci-Mate come with a power supply?
No. ISP Technologies lists the Deci-Mate and the Deci-Mate G with Power Supply Included: NO, so you need your own 9V DC supply. The pedal runs on 9VDC with a tip negative and sleeve positive plug.
Is the ISP Deci-Mate true bypass?
Yes. ISP Technologies lists True Bypass: Yes for both the Deci-Mate and the Deci-Mate G, so the pedal passes your signal unaltered when it is switched off.
What is the power polarity of the Deci-Mate?
The Deci-Mate takes 9V DC with a tip negative, sleeve positive plug, the same center-negative arrangement as most standard guitar pedal power supplies.
What is the difference between the Deci-Mate and the Deci-Mate G?
Both are micro noise reduction pedals built on the Decimator circuit with adaptive release over a 1000 to 1 ratio and greater than 90 dB of maximum noise reduction. The Deci-Mate G adds patent pending tracking improvements over the original Deci-Mate's tracking updates.
How much noise reduction does the Deci-Mate give?
ISP Technologies rates the maximum noise reduction of both the Deci-Mate and the Deci-Mate G at greater than 90 dB, with an adaptive release response spread over a 1000 to 1 ratio.
How big is the Deci-Mate pedal?
The Deci-Mate chassis measures 3.7 inches by 1.5 inches by 1.3 inches, small enough to fit into a tight micro-pedal spot on a pedalboard.
Sources (3)
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies DECI-MATE G Micro Decimator Noise Reduction - Pedal of the Day, Pedal of the Day, 2020-04-02
