The noise gate is perhaps the most overlooked utility pedal there is. Guitar tuners are essential, and people recognize the need for one. Meanwhile, the coloration offered by a compressor can be very musical and help define a signature tone. The best noise gate pedals, on the other hand, are more like insurance – they're not cool, they're usually not that cheap, and if all is well, you won't even notice they're there.
Do enough club shows however, with bad wiring at the venue, a loud amp that's four feet from the nearest stage wedge, and a single-coil equipped electric guitar, and you'll realize that a noise gate is by no means a tool only for the pros. Even the cheapest of gates, stuck at the start of your chain and left on, can make a world of difference.
Best overall
✅ Buy if you want a great value all-rounder: The TC Electronic Sentry can do a lot considering the price, making it an ideal gate for a lot of different playing styles.
❌ Avoid if you want instant results: This pedal is best used with a little tinkering and some additional software, so avoid if you just want something that's easy to dial in.
Overview
The Sentry is something of a Goldilocks. It's somewhere between the budget and expensive options in terms of price, yet it's on paper one of the more advanced gates available. The only catch is that many of its most advanced features are only accessible in software, and frankly, most players will never use them as a result.
Build
TC chassis' are very robustly built, and having had several of their pedals on my own 'board I can attest to their durability. The knobs have a nice feel to them, but they are quite easy to knock with a wayward foot or when being transported, so be careful to check their position before you start playing your gig.
Usability
Out of the box, it's got three modes, plus the controls you actually need - threshold and decay. Damp is signal attenuation, so most players are likely to want that maxed out. The key difference for the Sentry is its three-band gate, meaning that each audio band gates independently. This means that unavoidable problem frequencies in a rig are no longer complete showstoppers, especially if they're unplanned for - like hum from lights or a venue's wiring.
However, this mode is most effective when using the send/return loop in conjunction with fine-grained editing of the frequencies and thresholds of the three bands using TC's TonePrint software.
Best on a budget
✅ Buy if you want a budget noise gate: Priced at around $25, the NR300 is great for players who don't want to spend loads on a utility pedal.
❌ Avoid if you're gigging: Behringer enclosures aren't the most rugged, so gigging players should look at something a bit more durable.
Overview
You're probably thinking that the Behringer NR300 looks familiar, and well, that's because it takes inspiration from a very popular noise gate pedal. Behringer is notorious for 'cloning' other bits of gear, and the NR300 is the company's take on Boss' Noise Suppressor, but does it at a much lower price.
Build
Having used a few Behringer pedals over the years, I can personally attest to the fact that their plastic enclosures, while cheap, aren't particularly durable. For home use, this pedal will be absolutely fine, but if you're gigging, I'd recommend looking at something a touch more durable.
Usability
Sound-wise, it's just as effective as noise gate pedals five times the price, and delivers dual operation with mute and reduction modes. It also sports a send/return loop for added flexibility, making it by far the cheapest noise suppression or gate pedal to do so.
Best for metal
✅ Buy if you play metal or djent: This pedal is great for syncopated rhythms with high-gain amps.
❌ Avoid if you prefer flexibility: The single knob operation may leave some players wishing for more control.
Overview
The stop-start staccato riffage of tech metal and djent is the perfect material to haze noise gates, and work out which can cut it. Overwhelmingly, the pedal you'll see on those boards is the ISP Decimator, and that's for the reason that it just works.
Build
It's only got a single knob, relying on signal analysis to control its other parameters, and the all chrome chassis is quite prone to getting dirty, but that's something I imagine most players can live with. Overall it's rugged enough to deal with the rigors of touring, and that's backed up by the number of pro players who use this pedal on their own rigs.
Usability
The pedal has hidden depths, though - it can be chained with a second unit for stereo operation, or so it can be run in front of an amp and in its effects loop. ISP says this dual unit approach yields better results than the four-cable method, but the cynical might observe that it also involves needing two pedals rather than one.
Should you want a send/return to isolate a couple of problem pedals, or use the four-cable method, then ISP does make a version of the Decimator - the G String - that offers this, but it's a bit more expensive.
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you want something simple: This noise gate is simple to use and reasonably priced, which makes it a great option for beginner players.
❌ Avoid if you need a loop: There's no send and return loop here, so you won't be able to have it only affecting certain pedals in your rig.
Overview
The MXR Smart Gate is a simple-to-use pedal that will suit a variety of different guitarists. It's relatively low-cost too, which makes it accessible for all.
Builda
It's well put together as you'd expect from an MXR pedal, with a solid chassis and footswitch that engages with a satisfying click. It's also got a light that lets you know when the gate is engaged and disengaged.
Usability
Looking at the front panel, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the MXR Smart Gate is one of the simpler pedals available. In fact, in part thanks to its three-mode operation, based on distinct bands of problem audio, it's very flexible for removing unwanted noise.
The first mode is treble, the second is mids, and the third is a full-range gate mode, with the main Trigger knob being equivalent to a threshold control. It's a very simple pedal to use, thanks to the control set, but surprisingly powerful despite the lack of knobs.
Best compact
✅ Buy if you want a compact noise gate: The small size of this pedal means it will fit on the vast majority of pedalboards.
❌ Avoid if you don't like tweaking: It takes some time to set this pedal up properly, so avoid if you want fast results.
Overview
Don't let its size fool you - the Gatekeeper Micro is just as effective as any other simple gate, although it is expensive given how simple it is. Despite seemingly like the sort of pedal players would like smaller versions of, there aren't actually that many compact noise gates out there, which makes the Gatekeeper a rare find.
Build
Needless to say, this is a tiny pedal that won't take up much space on your pedalboard. It's really well put together though, and feels durable enough for gigging duties. The knobs are quite small, which means a gentle touch is required in order to make fine adjustments.
Usability
With just two controls, it takes a bit of dialing in in order to find the sweetspot for your particular setup. Like a compressor pedal, the threshold knob determines how much signal is needed for the gate to open, while the release knob controls how quickly it closes.
It's great for keeping things tight and controlled, less so for just general hum reduction, which makes it well-suited to players who use more gain.
Best pro option
✅ Buy if you want a rock-solid noise gate for gigging: Boss pedals are well known for their legendary durability, and the NS-2 is no exception.
❌ Avoid if you something easy to use: To get the best out of the NS-2, you'll want to use the loop and spend some time getting the settings just right.
Overview
The Boss NS-2 may be showing its age compared to some of the higher-tech new options on the market, but the reason for its longevity is no more complicated than that it's good at what it does. Whether at the start of a chain to debug pickup hum, or using its send/return loop to isolate drives and an amp preamp, it's a versatile and effective noise-reduction unit.
Build quality
It comes in the standard Boss chassis, which is world-renowned for its durability. I owned and gigged this pedal for several years, so I can personally attest that it will put up with the rough and tumble that players put their pedals through.
Usability
It has two modes - in the first, it's only active when the footswitch has been pressed, while the second mode assumes the pedal will be used as an 'always on' pedal. In this mode, noise suppression is always on, and pressing the footswitch will simply mute the input - useful for a gig.
How to choose
If you're here buying a noise gate pedal for the first time, then this is probably the most important part of this guide. Unlike other types of guitar pedal, a noise gate is a utility pedal which means it has a more complex operation than a typical pedal. It's got more in common with a piece of studio gear than an overdrive pedal. With that in mind, here's what you need to think about before buying.
1. Do I even need a noise gate pedal?
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Not every player needs a noise gate pedal. If you're experiencing hum, I'd recommend you go check your pedalboard power supply and pickups first before investing in a gate. Similarly, if you're not playing music with loads of gain then a noise gate pedal might be extraneous.
If you're playing with high gain, then a noise gate pedal is likely to be an essential purchase if you want to ensure a clean tone, and similarly for those playing live at higher volumes, a noise gate pedal can help keep everything in check.
2. How much control do I need?
There are various types of noise gate pedals from those with just a single knob to those with three. How many you need will come down to the type of music you're playing. For those using high gain tones, you're going to want more control so look for a noise gate with threshold, decay/release, and reduction controls which will enable you to more finely dial in your noise reduction.
3. Do I need a loop?
Loops can be really powerful for noise gates. The premise is that you run all of your dirt pedal through the loop of the noise gate, while the rest of your pedals go through the main input and output, meaning that their signal is unaffected. Though complex to setup, this means you're only reducing the noise where it's actually being made, rather than affecting your entire signal chain.
Not every player needs a loop though, so think carefully about your own rig and whether it would benefit from this features.
4. Should I go buffered or true bypass?
A lot of players prefer a buffered noise gate pedal, particularly when using the loop as this involves a lot of cables which can lead to 'tone suck'. When using a noise gate at the very front of the signal chain, a buffered pedal gives a boost which can also help reduce the effect of the gate on the overall tone.
A true bypass pedal doesn't offer any tone boosting, which means you might need a buffer pedal elsewhere in your chain if you have a lot of cables in your setup or run a particularly complex signal chain.
FAQs
How does a noise gate work?
Generally speaking, noise gates have many of the same controls as a compressor, although their function is a little different.
On studio-grade, rack-mount noise gates, you would expect all of the parameters to be present. In a compact noise gate pedal however, some of these parameters might be pre-set or, in a digital pedal, only accessible via companion software. As a result, access to these parameters is probably the most important choice you need to make.
The Threshold control sets the level at which the gate will 'open' and let signal through. The Attack control controls the length of time it takes the gate to move from closed to fully-open. You might consider this like a fade in control.
Release does the inverse - it's the length of time taken to go from open to closed. A fast release will result in the sound stopping dead, while a slower release is a more gradual attenuation.
Hold determines how long the gate stays open after the signal falls below the threshold. This control is more commonly seen on studio or broadcast kit, where for example, triggering a gate on short pauses in speech may not be desirable.
The simplest control is range - it's the amount that the signal will be reduced or attenuated when the gate is closed. For the purposes of guitar, this is often hard-set to complete attenuation, so no signal will pass.
Almost every pedal will have access to at least threshold and decay, sometimes called release. Some pedals streamline all the way down to a single knob, while most omit range/attenuation, setting it to be complete, such that no signal passes when the gate is closed. Almost no pedals have a hold control or a separation between open and close thresholds, although these controls are very common on studio and broadcast gates.
The other main question is whether the pedal has a send-return loop. For pickup-created hum, most issues can be dealt with close to source, by placing a noise gate at the start of a pedal chain, before gain pedals. However, many noise gates also have a send/return loop, so that instead of going first in a chain, your drive section, or any noisy pedals can be placed in the loop.
Additionally, a send/return loop allows you to use the four-cable method to use the pedal as a sidechain gate. To do this, you put drive pedals and the guitar preamp in the loop and run the effects send of the amp into the pedal return. As the gate will be triggered by the clean input of the guitar, any downstream noise, however loud, can never open the gate. Some players swear by the four-cable method to the extent of writing off any gate without a send/return.
More than many other types of pedal, a noise gate needs some testing in a chain to see where the best position is. There are three main options. At the beginning of the chain before drives, with them in a loop, or using the four-cable method, depending on the gain pedals and noise gate that you have.
Do I need a noise gate with a loop?
In my opinion most players will benefit from using a noise gate with a loop, but only when they have a few different pedals on the go. A loop allows you to only reduce noise on certain pedals, which means you can run all of your overdrive pedals through the lop of your noise gate so it doesn't clamp down on other effects like reverb and delay.
Will a noise gate affect my tone and sustain?
With the wrong settings, yes it will affect your tone and sustain. A noise gate will clamp down on your notes when they go below the threshold you've set, which means if it's set incorrectly you'll cut off the notes before they've finished ringing out. Similarly depending on when the noise gate kicks in means it can have an effect on your tone in general, so you'll need to fine tune these in order to get it right.
Where should I place my noise gate in the signal chain?
There are a few of schools of thought here. The first is that you should place your noise gate at the very start of the chain, as this will prevent noise from moving down the chain. However, other pedals impart their own level of noise, so for some players having at as the first pedal can be effective.
For others, placing the pedal after the dirt pedals in your signal chain, but before any reverbs or delays, can be the best way to reduce unwanted noise. The final option is to place your dirt pedals in the loop of the noise gate pedal, which means the gate will only 'hear' those particular pedals and won't be affected by anything else in your signal chain.
Will a noise gate prevent hum?
On some levels, yes a noise gate can prevent hum. There are different kinds of hum however, and a lot of this could be coming from your pickups or pedalboard power supply rather than your pedals. If you're experiencing hum, it's worth checking out other components of your rigs to determine what's actually causing it, before you invest in a noise gate pedal.
Key terms
- 4 cable method (4CM): The 4 cable method is when you use the loop on your noise gate pedal to only clamp down on your overdrive pedals. This way the noise gate 'sees' the clean tone and can differentiate better between your actual signal and unwanted noise.
- Buffer: Buffered pedals give your tone a boost, which makes them great for setups with long cable runs or lots of different pedals.
- Choke: Choking is where the noise gate is set incorrectly, causing it to cut off notes before they've finished sustaining.
- Clamping: Clamping is a term used to describe a noise gate acting on your tone, this can be used generally, or be an unwanted side effect from incorrect settings.
- Decay (release): This control determines how long the gate stays open before it clamps down on your notes.
- Hiss: This is a high frequency white noise caused by high gain pedals or a high gain guitar amp.
- Hum: This is a lower frequency noise more often caused by single coil pickups or badly shielded power supplies.
- Sidechain: A circuit that listens to a reference signal to decide when to open or close the gate.
- Threshold: Sets the level for when the gate begins to act. Anything below the threshold is not heard, whereas anything above is audible.
- Tone suck: A term for the effect that incorrectly set gates can have on tone, with it feeling as though it's removing some high end frequencies.
- Transparent: A word used to describe a gate that doesn't have any effect on the overall tone.
How we test
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best noise gate pedals available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best noise gate pedals on the market right now.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
