That way the gate won't chop off the end portions of your repeats. I'd also put the delay after the gate output, just before the amp. Live a noise gate is essential to cut out any kind of unwanted string or amp noise making for a much better live experience.The TC Electronic Sentry Noise Gate. In the studio it helps clean up the mix and makes sure you arent humming in the background when you arent even playing. However, you may also need to tweak the gate levels any time you tweak the compressor. The noise gate is one of the unsung heroes in the guitar world. If the compressor is quiet (you don't notice that you're getting noise on your sustained notes), you could try to put it in before the loop right after the guitar output to maximize your sustain. However, having the compressor in the loop will reduce some of its ability to give you sustain, because the gate will chop the sound early. Compressors & Limiters and a great range of products at great prices available at Rubber. Before the drive pedals will make your dynamics more controlled all around, while after the drive pedals will let your drives go a little more crazy on your attack, but still even out their overall volume levels. If you want to set the loop threshold and forget it, then you need the compressor in the loop, either before or after your drive/distortion pedals.

The signal that’s connected to the key input changes the behavior of the main output of the compressor or the gate. It’s an additional input, separate to the main input found on the device. For the compressor, it depends on the sound you want and how noisy it is. A sidechain (also seen as side chain or side-chain) input is a special ‘key input‘ found on audio compressor units and noise gate units.

Noise gates and compressors