The Sonicake Noise Wiper is a compact noise gate pedal made by Sonicake, carrying the model number QSS-14. A noise gate sits in your signal chain and mutes the signal when you are not playing, which keeps background hiss and hum from your other pedals out of your sound. Sonicake describes the Noise Wiper as a dual-mode noise gate pedal that keeps your effects chain away from annoying background noise12.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Noise Wiper follows a one-knob design. Sonicake describes it as "Easy-to-Use One Knob Control (Threshold) for the Main Function," meaning the single Threshold knob sets the level below which the gate closes and mutes the signal1. Turn it up and the gate reacts to quieter playing; turn it down and it only clamps down on the softest noise.
The pedal offers two working modes for fast or smooth noise reduction, so you can choose between a gate that cuts off quickly or one that closes more gradually2. Sonicake says the 100% analog design keeps noise away from your pedals without changing dynamics and tone characters, and that the true bypass footswitch keeps a clean signal path with transparent signal through2.
"Easy-to-Use One Knob Control (Threshold) for the Main Function"
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Sets the level below which the gate closes and mutes the signal1 |
| Mode switch | Two working modes: fast or smooth noise reduction2 |
| Footswitch | True bypass, keeps a clean signal path with transparent signal through2 |
Power and connections
The Noise Wiper runs on a DC 9V, 5.5 x 2.1mm center negative power supply, the standard connector used by most pedal power supplies, and draws 26mA2. Sonicake notes that the regular pedal power supply is not included, and neither is a battery13. The pedal does not have send and return, so there is no effects loop for gating a portion of your chain1.
No power supply and no battery come with the pedal. You will need a 9V center negative adapter, the common type used on most pedalboards.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | DC 9V, 5.5 x 2.1mm center negative2 |
| Current draw | 26mA2 |
| Power supply included | No13 |
| Battery included | No13 |
| Send and return | No1 |
| Dimensions | 93.5mm (D) x 42mm (W) x 52mm (H)2 |
| Weight | 220g2 |
Where it sits among noise gates
The Noise Wiper is part of the wider field of noise gate pedals, which ranges from simple one-knob compact pedals to larger units with loops and multiple controls. Pedals such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor and the Electro-Harmonix Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop add send and return loops, while compact one-knob designs like the Mooer Noise Killer and the Donner Noise Killer sit in the same small-pedal territory as the Noise Wiper.
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Questions
Is the Sonicake Noise Wiper true bypass?
Yes. Sonicake describes the Noise Wiper as having a true bypass footswitch that keeps a clean signal path, and says the true bypass design provides a transparent signal through the pedal. That means when the gate is switched off, your guitar's signal passes through without the pedal's circuit in the way.
Does the Sonicake Noise Wiper come with a power supply?
No. Sonicake's product page says the pedal works with a 9V center negative regular pedal power supply, and that supply is not included. A battery is not included either, so you will need your own 9V adapter to use the pedal.
How much current does the Noise Wiper draw?
Sonicake lists the current draw at 26mA. The pedal runs on DC 9V through a 5.5 x 2.1mm center negative connector, which is the standard connector used by most pedal power supplies and daisy chains.
Does the Noise Wiper have an effects loop?
No. Sonicake states plainly that the Noise Wiper does not have send and return. Some larger noise gates offer a loop so you can gate only part of your chain, but this pedal gates the signal that passes through it.
Is the Noise Wiper analog or digital?
Sonicake describes the Noise Wiper as a 100% analog design, saying it keeps noise away from your pedals without changing dynamics and tone characters. It is a pedal-format noise gate, not a digital processor.
