Free The Tone IG-1N Integrated Gate Pedal

The Free The Tone IG-1N Integrated Gate is a next-generation noise reduction pedal designed to tame modern stage and studio noise without sacrificing your core tone. By combining a fully analogue audio path with ultra-fast digital control, it delivers incredibly natural note decay while keeping hum, buzz and interference firmly under control. Whether you want transparent noise reduction or a tight, percussive gate, the IG-1N lets you focus on playing, not fighting noise.

Traditional gates can chop off your sustain, dull your sound or feel unpredictable under the fingers. The IG-1N tackles these issues head-on with a unique signal monitoring system that constantly analyses your playing and adjusts the output level in real time. The result is smooth, musical attenuation that follows the natural rise and fall of your notes, even with high-gain rigs or in noisy venues filled with computers, LED lighting and wireless devices.

At the heart of the IG-1N is Free The Tone’s digitally controlled analogue circuit design. Your guitar or bass signal never leaves the analogue domain, preserving dynamics, touch sensitivity and harmonic detail. The digital side simply controls the level with pinpoint accuracy and speed, so you get the best of both worlds: pristine sound quality and highly intelligent noise management.

With switchable Noise Reduction and Noise Gate modes, an input impedance selector to match different instruments and pickups, and MIDI control for effect on/off, the IG-1N integrates seamlessly into modern pedalboards and complex switching systems. Free The Tone’s original HTS buffer circuit further ensures that your signal remains clear and consistent, even when the effect is bypassed.

Natural, Intelligent Noise Reduction

The IG-1N’s signal monitoring system constantly tracks your input signal via a dedicated CPU, analysing its waveform and level in real time. Instead of using a crude threshold that simply slams the gate shut, it adjusts the output level smoothly and musically as your notes decay. This preserves the natural swell and fade of string vibrations, avoiding the abrupt cut-offs and unnatural tails that plague conventional noise gates.

Dual Operating Modes for Any Rig

Two distinct modes let you tailor the IG-1N to your playing style. In Noise Reduction mode, the pedal gradually reduces volume as your signal falls below the Threshold setting, making background noise far less noticeable while keeping your sustain intact. In Noise Gate mode, the signal is muted immediately once it drops below the Threshold, delivering a crisp, tight gate effect that is ideal for staccato riffs, stop-start rhythms and ultra-precise high-gain work.

Analogue Signal Path with Digital Precision

To preserve the true character of your guitar or bass, the IG-1N keeps the entire audio path in the analogue domain. The digital circuitry is used only for high-speed level control, not for audio conversion. This digitally controlled analogue approach, also found in Free The Tone’s PA-1Q and TRI AVATAR units, ensures minimal tonal coloration while providing extremely accurate, responsive noise reduction that feels completely connected to your playing.

Pedalboard and MIDI Friendly

The IG-1N is built to slot into modern setups with ease. An input impedance select switch (Hi-Z/Lo-Z) optimises the pedal for different instruments and pickup types, while Free The Tone’s HTS circuit delivers high sound quality and low noise even when the effect is off, protecting your tone across long signal chains. A dedicated MIDI IN jack allows remote effect on/off control via Control Change messages, making it simple to integrate the IG-1N with MIDI-enabled loop switchers and controllers.

• Advanced Signal Monitoring System - A dedicated CPU constantly monitors and analyses the input waveform, allowing the IG-1N to apply noise reduction in a way that follows the natural decay of your notes. This results in smooth, musical attenuation instead of the choppy, abrupt behaviour associated with many traditional noise gates.
• Noise Reduction and Noise Gate Modes - Choose between a transparent Noise Reduction mode that gently lowers volume as your signal fades, or a fast-acting Noise Gate mode that mutes immediately below the Threshold. This flexibility makes the IG-1N equally at home with subtle clean tones and aggressive high-gain setups.
• Digitally Controlled Analogue Circuitry - The audio signal remains completely analogue from input to output, preserving your instrument’s tone and dynamics. Digital control is used purely for ultra-fast, precise level management, giving you pristine sound quality alongside highly effective noise suppression.
• HTS Circuit and MIDI Control - Free The Tone’s original HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit provides high-quality buffering and impedance conversion, maintaining clarity and reducing noise even when the effect is bypassed. MIDI IN support for effect on/off control makes it easy to integrate the IG-1N into complex, MIDI-based pedalboard systems.

General

• Product: Free The Tone IG-1N Integrated Gate
• Effect Type: Noise reduction / noise gate pedal
• Operating Modes: Noise Reduction mode, Noise Gate mode

Electronics

• Input Impedance: 800 kΩ (Hi-Z), 300 kΩ (Lo-Z)
• Output Load Impedance: Minimum 10 kΩ
• Maximum Input Level: +15 dBu
• Controls: Threshold, Input impedance select switch (Hi-Z/Lo-Z)
• Bypass Circuit: Free The Tone HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit
• Phase: Output signal in phase with input signal

Connectivity

• Audio Terminals: 2 x 1/4" standard phone jacks (input, output)
• MIDI Terminal: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (MIDI IN, effect on/off control)
• Power Input: DC 9 V input jack (for AC adaptor connection, centre negative)

Power

• Power Supply: 9-volt PP3 battery, or 9 V DC centre negative adaptor
• Current Consumption: 35 mA

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions (D x W x H): 72 x 115 x 50 mm (including footswitch, jacks and other protuberances)
• Weight: Approx. 190 g (excluding battery)

Included Items

• Warranty card
• Website access card
• Safety precaution document
• 4 x Rubber feet