Model Description:
Before we get into the specifics of this particular pedal, one needs to go back in time to when it was born in New York State, USA in 1975. On many stages and studios, guitarists in particular plied their trade in high, and often very high, gain environments. When using single coil pickups and less‑than‑ideal venue electronics, there could be a lot of noise and induced hum. In a live environment, that is less of a problem but in a studio it was a sound engineer’s nightmare. One way of dealing with the situation (other than asking a guitarist to reduce sound pressure levels!) was to use a noise gate, which is intended to eliminate unwanted low‑level background noise. As this approach could also impact guitar dynamics, it made sense to boost (or buffer) the rest of the signal to help maintain a wider dynamic range. Hence the MXR Innovations Noise Gate Line Driver which aims to do both – reduce unwanted noise and ensure a strong musical signal. It was generally used last in the signal chain to capture and eradicate most of the noise accumulated up to that point. The MXR NGLD (for short) has two outputs; a normal jack socket for day‑to‑day input into a guitar/bass amp and a low impedance XLR socket for direct input into (studio or stage) mixing desks. There is only one control, a Threshold knob that controls the point above which the noise gate lets the musical signal through and below which it cuts background noise. The trick is to set the threshold level at the optimum point which supresses a proportion of the noise without impacting the tone of the musical signal. The MXR Noise Gate Line Driver follows the same small form factor of other MXR compact stomp boxes. Early ones carried the spindly ‘script logo’. While later ones used the familiar ‘block logo’. Early ones also didn’t have a 9V DC input and it relies on a 9V battery, requiring removal of the baseplate. This is neither ideal nor convenient – this omission was rectified post‑1981, along with the addition of an LED status indicator. Early MXR pedals were hand built in Rochester, NY, so some operational compromises were probably excusable. As the MXR Noise Gate Line Driver didn’t modify tone, it was largely overlooked, which makes the first generation script logo examples particularly rare, although not necessarily that desirable (or expensive) on the vintage effect market. The current 21st Century model is the MXR M135 Smart Gate. NB. This was the last MXR pedal that CRAVE Guitars added to ‘complete the set’ of original compact MXR models. Clearly one for the completist!
Pedal Description:
Here, we have a ‘script logo’ 1975 MXR Noise Gate Line Driver (MX‑106) from the very first year of production. Like many early MXR pedals, this one has a rare and desirable ‘BUD Willoughby Ohio CU124’ lightweight box/baseplate. ‘Bud boxes’ are identical in size to later MXR‑branded enclosures but much lighter (only 222g compared to 384g). A good effect, however, relies on the electronics, not the weight of its box or the typeface used for the screen printed logo. It is probably fair to say that, with relatively low sales at the time, the ones that have survived to today have probably seen some use. This one shows a lot of its battle scars in the way of superficial chips and dinks to its demure ‘dirty’ light grey paintwork. Two of the baseplate screws are missing (different from the later MXR screws). One thing that MXR was known for was the robustness and durability of their products and here is the evidence of five decades of use before it joined the CRAVE Effects family. Compared to some, this one is in excellent condition, although it looks a bit scruffy around the gills. It is, though all original and in full working order. There is no box or documentation but that is no great surprise. While undoubtedly rare, it is also not the most sought after of MXR pedals, as it isn’t really an ‘effect’. It just ain’t ‘sexy’ like, for instance, an iconic MXR Phase 90. The solitary Threshold control only operates the noise gate. With the control fully anti‑clockwise, it makes no difference with the control fully clockwise, it suppresses the entire signal. Set at around 1/3, it works as intended. Beyond 1/3, the noise gate does impact the signal, giving a sound with a clearly defined audible decay/cut‑off, reducing sustain, which may or may not appeal depending on what it is used for. The Line Driver circuit is always on, so you can’t hear what it does without bypassing the pedal altogether. The Line Driver circuit seems to work more like a buffer than an active boost which, again, might be what one wants. Basically, it does its job and does it well enough. Just don’t expect tonal miracles!
Features:
- Made in Rochester, New York, U.S.A. in 1975
- The ‘Threshold’ knob controls the level at which the Noise Gate eliminates noise and hum
- The Line Drive circuit is always on
- Standard footswitch turns the noise gate circuit on and off
- Standard ¼” input and output mono jack sockets, supplemented by an integral low impedance XLR output
- ‘Script’ MXR logo and model name
- Original lightweight BUD box and baseplate
- Dimensions: 111mm (d) x 72mm (w) x 50mm (h)
- Weight: 222g (minus battery)
- No LED status indicator
- 9V battery power only – no 9V DC input
- No box or documentation
Detail Gallery:
