The JF-31 Noise Gate is a compact noise reduction pedal from Joyo, a maker of budget-friendly effects. JOYO describes it simply: it "Reduces the extra noise from your signal." It is operated by a single Threshold knob, which sets the level above the gate clamps down on unwanted hiss or hum, making it an easy first gate for a player cleaning up a high-gain or single-coil rig1.
Controls and how it works
The JF-31 keeps things minimal. There is one control, the Threshold knob, and JOYO calls the pedal "Easily operated by adjusting the single Threshold knob." Turning the knob up raises the signal level the gate requires before it lets sound through, so the louder the setting, the more aggressively quiet passages are cut off. As with any gate, the practical job is finding the point where noise between notes disappears but quiet playing and note decay are not choked off1.
Power and specifications
The pedal runs on a 6F22 9V battery or a DC 9V adapter and draws 6mA, a very light load that suits almost any power supply1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance | 500K ohms |
| Output impedance | 1K ohm |
| Power | 6F22 9V battery / DC 9V adapter |
| Running current | 6mA |
| Weight | 200g |
| Bypass | True bypass |
On the specifications side, JOYO lists the JF-31 Noise Gate at a weight of 200g1.
Size and placement on a board
At 200g, the JF-31 is a light enclosure in the style of JOYO's JF series, so it slots into tight pedalboards without fuss1. It sits among a wide field of compact gates covered elsewhere on this site, including the Donner Noise Killer, Mooer Noise Killer, Rowin Noise Gate and the single-knob Mosky Noise Gate. Players wanting more control than one knob can look at the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor or the MXR M135 Smart Gate, and JOYO's own range also includes the Gate Of Kahn. For the wider category, see Noise Gate Pedals.
Videos
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Questions
Is the JOYO JF-31 true bypass?
Yes. JOYO's product page for the JF-31 lists a true bypass design, meaning that when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the gate's circuitry coloring it. That matters on a pedalboard, where every pedal in the chain can affect tone when switched out. True bypass switching is common on compact gates like this one and helps keep the clean signal path intact.
Can the JOYO JF-31 run on a battery?
Yes. JOYO lists the JF-31 as running on a 6F22 9V battery or a DC 9V adapter. With a running current of just 6mA, the pedal draws very little power, so a battery lasts a long time and the pedal is easy to fit into almost any pedalboard power supply setup without worrying about high current demands.
How big is the JOYO JF-31?
JOYO gives the JF-31's dimensions as 118mm long by 68mm wide by 50mm high, with a weight of 200g. That is a compact, lightweight enclosure that takes up little room on a pedalboard and is easy to carry in a gig bag as a spare or utility pedal.
Where can I find the JF-31 manual?
JOYO makes a JF-31 manual available as a PDF download from the pedal's product page on the JOYO website. The manual link was posted on the page on 17 December 2019, and it covers the pedal's operation and specifications.
What are the input and output impedances of the JF-31?
JOYO lists the JF-31's input impedance as 500K ohms and its output impedance as 1K ohm. A high input impedance like that is typical for guitar pedals and helps avoid loading down your guitar's pickups, while the low output impedance is suited to driving the rest of a signal chain.
Sources (1)
- JF-31 Noise Gate_JOYO, JOYO, 2019-12-17
