The Decimator pedal (pictured) comes from the inventor of the Hush™ noise reduction system who is now CEO of ISP Technologies. ISP also makes a rack mount version called the Decimator ProRackG. The Decimator is a problem solver for the itinerant electric guitarist who often encounter mysterious and excessive buzzes and hums at a new gig.

Mostly from stray electromagnetic fields, dirty power lines or badly wired lighting systems, this interference can be greatly amplified especially when using other guitar pedals in your setup and/or using higher gain settings. Since the noise comes into the guitar's pickups, the Decimator works best at the end of your pedal board right before your amp's input. That way you'll also reduce any noise inherently added by your other pedals.

The Decimator's design is said to excel in the gating or downward expansion process by responding better to very short staccato playing. The typical downward expander noise reduction system suffers from a "dead zone" in the release response characteristic causing a compromise in tracking both fast decaying notes and long sustained notes. A technology called Time Vector Processing allows the unit to instantly respond to short picking sounds and at the same time not cut off long sustaining notes.

Packaged in a rugged, beautifully polished smooth chrome chassis, the Decimator pedal sells for $149 MSRP while the Decimator ProRack G sells for $449. Visit www.isptechnologies.com.