If I'm understanding what a noise gate does correctly, it completely turns of any sound when you are not playing, by only allowing sound when there is sound loud enough from your playing. So when you're not playing: no buzzing, no noise. But when you are playing, it sounds exactly the same as if you didn't have a noise gate. In other words, a noise gate does not remove noise from the signal. When the gate is open, both the signal and the noise will pass through.
If that's correct, then is there any effect/pedal that can eliminate or minimize certain sounds WHILE you are playing? Like it would block the buzzing or ringing that's not as loud as what you're actually playing, but still let the notes you ARE playing through? Or does that not exist?
I'm thinking that would have to exist, because if you use a compressor, won't it make those unwanted sounds as loud as what you're actually playing?
~Rusty