The Boss NS-50 Stereo Noise Suppressor formed part of BOSS’s compact half-rack PRO Series and provided professional noise reduction for studio and live use. Built around a unique suppression topology developed by BOSS, the Boss NS-50 employed a high-performance VCA with a high-speed envelope detection circuit.
When incoming signals dropped below a user-set threshold, the unit reduced output using a downward expanding technique to remove noise, while programme material above the threshold passed unaffected. Unlike low-pass VCF methods, the Boss NS-50 preserved high-frequency content, keeping the natural attack and original tonality intact while effectively eliminating noise.
Its single-ended design enabled flexible placement directly before a multitrack recorder or mixer, after an instrument’s output, or in an amplifier’s effects loop for guitar applications. Operational ease was supported by an eight-point gain-reduction indicator for instant visual confirmation of suppression, and remote switching via the FS-5L footswitch connected to the rear-panel Remote Control jack.
As a PRO Series model, the Boss NS-50 benefited from a reinforced power supply that improved dynamic range and signal-to-noise performance, and offered switchable input and output reference levels for instrument and professional line systems. With the optional RAD-50 adaptor, two PRO Series half-rack units could be mounted together in a standard 19-inch rack, accommodating modern studio layouts while maintaining BOSS’s hallmark reliability and sound quality.
Features
- Unique VCA noise suppression with high-speed envelope detection that reduces noise below a user-set threshold while preserving signal tonality
- Maintains high-frequency content and natural attack, avoiding the tonal loss associated with low-pass filtering systems
- Single-ended design allows placement before recorders or mixers, after instruments, or in amplifier effects loops
- Eight-point gain-reduction indicators provide clear visual monitoring of suppression level
- Remote switching in or out via FS-5L footswitch connected to the rear-panel Remote Control jack
- PRO Series reinforced power supply for enhanced dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio
- Switchable input and output reference levels for instrument and professional line applications
- Optional RAD-50 adaptor mounts two half-rack units together in a standard 482.6 mm rack