The Stone Deaf Noise Reaper is a professional noise gate pedal from Stone Deaf FX, a boutique maker based in Manchester, UK. It was introduced in March 2020 as a standalone version of the gate technology the company had already built into its Warp Drive and Fig Fumb distortion and fuzz pedals12. A noise gate silences your signal when you are not playing, cleaning up the hiss and hum that high gain setups produce, and the Noise Reaper does this with a single knob.
Its distinguishing feature is how it decides when to close. Stone Deaf says the pedal intelligently compares your clean guitar signal with noisy sources, a studio-grade technique, rather than simply reacting to everything arriving at its input3. Delicious Audio describes this as taking the input sensitivity of the guitar input and the noisy signal source and comparing the two, which lets the gate sustain notes or modulation repeats without choking or over-gating2.
Stone Deaf's product page marks the current stock as the last batch before discontinuation, with the pedal on sale at £99.00, down from £140.003.
The single-knob control
The Noise Reaper has one control, a Threshold knob, which sets the level under which the signal is silenced. Delicious Audio explains that it controls how much the gate opens, allowing the dynamics you want to shine through2. Stone Deaf pitches the single-knob layout as the point of the pedal: it simplifies noise gating, keeping the tone pristine and noise-free3.
An LED indicates whether the noise gate is on or off2. The maker claims the gate function is incredibly fast and responsive, sustaining notes or modulation repeats without choking or over-gating4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Sets how much the gate opens, letting your chosen dynamics through2 |
| Footswitch | Soft touch relay based true bypass, with an LED for on/off status12 |
Three modes: Pedal, Series FX Loop and Double Up
The pedal can be used in three modes and does not require a Y splitter1. Its two inputs and two outputs can be configured in various ways, and the maker's documentation covers those configurations2.
- Pedal mode: the gate sits in your signal chain like any other pedal2.
- Series FX Loop mode: the gate wraps around other effects, comparing the clean signal at its input with the noisy signal returning from the loop2.
- Double Up mode: a third mode using two Noise Reapers chained together to double the dynamic range of the gate, with each pedal operating in Pedal and Series FX Loop mode respectively. Guitar.com notes this mode requires a second Noise Reaper7. Delicious Audio describes the two-pedal setup as delivering absolute silence should you need it2.
The Series FX Loop approach is what separates the Noise Reaper from simple inline gates such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor alternatives in this lane: the clean guitar signal drives the gate's decision while the noisy, processed signal is what gets cut217.
Power and specifications
The Noise Reaper runs on 9V center negative and draws 55mA3. There is no battery; Guitar.com's review notes it is powered by a 9-volt mains supply only, not included6. Stone Deaf warns that anything other than 9V center negative may harm the product and will cause it not to work, voiding the warranty3.
Stone Deaf recommends an isolated power supply and advises against low cost daisy chain or single wall wart supplies3.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Current draw | 55mA3 |
| Power | 9V center negative3 |
| VCA | THAT Corporation 2181C2 |
| THD | 0.03%4 |
| Dynamic range | 120dB4 |
| Output noise | 0% or -98dB4 |
| Noise level when active | -98dB7 |
| Dimensions | 4.2cm high, 6.6cm wide, 11.2cm long (1.65 x 3.54 x 4.40 inches)3 |
| Weight | 200 grams3 |
| Warranty | 1 year from purchase, non-transferable3 |
The maker says the pedal uses the highest quality THAT VCAs, which it calls the best in the business for this application3. Delicious Audio identifies the specific chip as the THAT Corporation 2181C, crediting it with transparent ultra-low distortion and high dynamic range2, figures echoed in the launch coverage: 0.03% THD, 120dB dynamic range and output noise of 0% or -98dB4.
From the Warp Drive and Fig Fumb gates to a standalone pedal
The Noise Reaper did not start from scratch. Gearnews describes it as an upgraded version of the noise gate technology available within Stone Deaf's Warp Drive and Fig Fumb distortion and fuzz pedals4, and Guitar.com's review likewise says the unit is based on the gate found in those two pedals6. Stone Deaf's own page says it is built on advanced noise gate technology derived from the company's distortion pedals3.
The Noise Reaper had been recently released as of 16 March 20204. Launch pricing was £150 in the UK, $160 in the US and €162 in the EU1, and Guitar.com's June 2020 review listed it at £12546. A later listing showed the pedal at $1595.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's June 2020 review listed the Noise Reaper at £12546.
"A simple and effective gate that will free your heaviest tones from background noise."
The pedal is designed for line level instruments, guitars, and basses, so bass players are covered too12.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Stone Deaf FX
Stone Deaf FX
Questions
Does the Stone Deaf Noise Reaper take a battery?
No. It is powered by a 9-volt supply only, with no battery option. Stone Deaf specifies 9V center negative at 55mA and warns that anything else may harm the product and void the warranty. The maker also recommends an isolated power supply rather than a daisy chain or single wall wart.
Is the Noise Reaper true bypass?
Yes. It uses a high-quality soft touch relay based true bypass footswitch and circuit, so when the gate is off the signal passes through without the pedal's circuitry in the path. An LED indicates whether the noise gate is on or off.
Is the Stone Deaf Noise Reaper discontinued?
It is being discontinued. Stone Deaf's product page marks the current stock as the last batch before discontinuation, with the pedal on sale at £99.00, down from £140.00. Players wanting a new one are looking at the remaining units.
How do you chain two Noise Reapers together?
The third operating mode uses two Noise Reapers chained together to double the dynamic range of the gate. One pedal runs in Pedal mode and the other in Series FX Loop mode, and Delicious Audio describes the result as absolute silence when you need it.
Does the Noise Reaper work with bass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's launch coverage says it is designed for line level instruments, guitars, and basses, and Delicious Audio likewise describes it as a gate for line-level instruments, guitar and bass.
What VCA chip is in the Noise Reaper?
The pedal uses a THAT Corporation 2181C VCA. Stone Deaf says it uses the highest quality THAT VCAs for this application, and the launch coverage credits that chip with transparent ultra-low distortion and high dynamic range.
Sources (7)
- Stone Deaf Introduces the Noise Reaper, Premier Guitar, 2020-03-16
- Stone Deaf FX Noise Reaper Gate Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2020-09-25
- Noise Reaper, Stone Deaf
- Is the Stone Deaf FX Noise Reaper pedal your solution for unwanted noise?, gearnews.com, 2020-03-16
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-05-26
- Review: Stone Deaf Noise Reaper, Guitar.com, 2020-06-09
- Stone Deaf Fx releases the Noise Reaper, a one-knob noise gate, Guitar.com, 2020-03-16
