In this article, we’re going to be discussing and reviewing the 6 best noise gate pedals for guitarists of 2023.
As usual we will explain each pedal in detail and suggest who the specific pedal is best suited for. Finally we will list our number one choice, premium choice and best value for money to allow you to decide for yourself which is the best noise gate pedal on the market.
What Is A Noise Gate Pedal?
In modern day guitar music, particularly within the rock and medal genre, guitarists are using powerful rigs with high gain amplifiers and a multitude of overdrive pedals. The issue with this sort of setup is the amount of unwanted noise, often described as buzz, which gets in the way of the actual guitar sound.
The problem does not solely lie with heavy metal guitar playing, a clean combo amplifier with a varies selection of pedals could still produce excess buzzing. This may be due to the guitar pickups used or common noise issue due to power supply interference. When this happens, its often frustrating to eradicate the buzz without completely altering your rig, this is where the noise gate comes into effect and is considered the best solution for noise reduction.
So how does a noise gate pedal work? Once a threshold has been manually set on the pedal, the noise gate will open and allow signal through above the threshold. Once the level falls below the threshold, the noise gate closes to eradicate the hiss from the signal. If you’re running a high power rig with a lot of extra noise, a noise gate pedal is essential for a desirable sound that isn’t ruined by buzz.
Best Noise Gate PedalsÂ
BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
The Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor is perhaps considered the king of noise gate pedals and is very much the most popular option for guitarists. Specifically branded for guitarists using large signal chains, the NS-2 is completely effective at reducing the excess noise/buzz without taking away from the tone of the guitar.
Boss are known for producing extremely reliable effects pedals that are build to last. The NS-2 is no exception and is housed in the classic compact chassis typical of a boss pedal. The pedal consists fo three knobs: Threshold, Decay and Mode. A Unique noise detection circuit is used to keep the attack of the guitar sound.
The threshold and decay knobs work effectively to shape the way in which the noise is suppressed. This way you can set the pedal specifically tailored to your set up in order to reduce the noise without reducing any signal from the guitar itself.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
In our opinion, the Boss NS-2 is the staple noise gate pedal on the market and the perfect solution for unwanted buzz within a guitarists set up. The pedal is robust, reliable and has the right amount of customization to make it an all round great noise suppressor. For this reason its also our number one choice. We recommend you check out the Boss NS-2 now!
Customer Review Rating
The Boss NS-2 has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
TC Electronic Sentry
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
As we know, noise gates are essential for cleaning up mixes and eliminating unwanted on stage buzz, particularly for metal guitarists. The TC Electronic Sentry is perhaps the most advanced noise gate we have seen to date with advanced features and the inclusion of TC Electronics brilliant tone print technology.
One of the great things about the Sentry is the level of control you get due to the pedal using three separate gate bands, meaning that you no longer have to gate your entire sound all at once. This is particularly brilliant as you can now target specific frequencies in the mix using the three band gate.
Another great feature of this pedal is the send/return loop. This allows you to directly input a noisy part of your rig, for instance an overdrive pedal or noisy amplifier, and effect only that part of the signal. This eliminates that less appealing shutter effect and produces a much more natural noise gated sound overall.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
TC Electronic have been pioneers in guitar pedal technology and what they have done with the Sentry noise gate is certainly a game changer. Ultimately which noise gate you use comes down to your necessities. The TC Sentry will be a live saver for you if you just need to control a specific pedal or frequency within your rig.
Customer Review Rating
The TC Electronic Sentry has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
Electro-Harmonix The Silencer
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Designed to do exactly as its name suggest, the Electro-Harmonix The Silencer is a sophisticated noise gate pedal that uses three controls to allows for precise fine tuning to the effect. The three controls on this pedal are: release, thresh and reduction.
Altering the ‘thresh’ control will allow to control how much level is needed to open up the noise gate and allow signal to pass through. Next we have the reduction control which regulates how much the gated signal is reduced between +4dB and -70db. Finally, the release control allows you to specify how long the gate will stay open after the signal drops.
The pedal itself is compact and has a slick design, with a foot switch control to activate or deactivate the pedal manually. The pedal also features between 4 and 8 seconds of release time which is an excellent feature for a noise gate pedal.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
The Electro-Harmonix The Silencer is a great noise gate for precision control which will be hugely beneficial to those who require specific frequency tuning. Also for the price, this pedal is a steal and will certainly be the difference between you having a noisy rig and a wonderfully clean mix.
Customer Review Rating
The Electro-Harmonix The Silencer has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
MXR M135 Smart Gate
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Next up in our run down of the best noise gate pedals we have the MXR M135 Smart Gate. This simplistic pedal is compact and consists of three separate modes which are selected by a three way switch and controlled by a single knob.
The three switchable modes included on the Smart Gate are Hiss, Mid and full. Using these modes will allow you to accurately tailor the noise gate to fit your specific rig. Also included are dual high and low adaptive filters which control the sensitivity of the pedals threshold without introducing any further noise.
One of the MXR 135 Smart Gates best features is its very fast response to the way to set the threshold. The pedal is also compact, true bypass and small enough to sit on your pedal board without occupying too much room.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
The MXR M135 Smart Gate is slightly pricier than some of the other noise gate pedals included within this buyers guide. Despite this it is a very good pedal and its response time really helps you to eliminate noise from your rig. The three settings provide plenty of functionality and options to the pedal which will appeal to any guitarist who likes to play around with settings.
Customer Review Rating
The MXR Smart Gate has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
ISP Technologies Decimator II
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Now lets take a look at a truly classic noise gate pedal, in its second form, the ISP Technologies Decimator II. With linearized Time Vector Processing this pedals boasts extremely smooth note decay. This pedal works incredibly well either between your guitar and amps input or within your effects loop.Â
Despite the technology behind how the Decimator works, in practise its a very easy pedal to implement. Many users get perfect results simply by connecting the pedal to their rig and turning the single knob until the unwanted noise is completely eliminated. This pedal eill work particularly well with high gain amplifiers which is a main reason for one needing a noise gate.
The 60db noise reduction that this pedal offers is more than is sufficient to deal with all sorts of noise issues without having an implications to the sound of your guitar. All this included once again in a compact pedal, fairly reminiscent of a classic Boss style pedal we which we love.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
ISP Technologies Decimator II is the priciest noise gate pedal on our list, however its probably the best as well. For that reason we’ve included it as are top premium choice! Whilst most describe this pedal as life saver, its a great option to eliminate unwanted noise from your rig once and for all.Â
Customer Review Rating
The ISP Technologies Decimator II has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
Rowin Guitar Noise Killer
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
Last but not least on our roundup of the 6 best noise gate pedals we have the Rowan Guitar Noise Killer. With a noise reduction degree of 70-+10dB, this pedal offers a lot of control to the user without having any negative implications on the guitar sound.
Out of all the pedals on this list, the noise killer is smallest and can be considered a mini pedal, meaning that it wont use up much valuable space. The controls on this pedal are fairly simple, switch between hard and soft mode and use the knob to increase or lower the threshold to your desired setting.
The hard and soft modes give two separate flavours to the pedal. Hard mode will provide a more stubborn noise reduction whilst soft mode will feel more discrete in how it works. Despite being a mini pedal, the noise killer is robust and effective.
Who Should Buy This Pedal?
First thing to note is that this is the cheapest noise reduction pedal on our list, however it works extremely well considering. If you’re shopping on a budget then this pedal may be the one for you. Also its small housing is very beneficial for small pedal boards.
Customer Review Rating
The Rowin Guitar Noise Killer has a rating of 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon, Check Reviews Here
Our Number One Choice
For our number one choice noise gate pedal we’ve gone with the BOSS NS-2. This staple noise suppressor is the prefect remedy for unwanted buzz within your guitar rig. You can fully adjust the threshold and decay of the pedal to suit you needs. The pedal itself is robust like all BOSS pedal are and will fit nicely on your pedal board. Surprisingly the NS-2 is also very affordable which makes even more of an attractive remedy for your noisy guitar rig.
Buy On AmazonOur Premium Choice
The ISP Technologies Decimator II is the chosen noise gate as our premium choice. This pedal is easy to use and does all the work for you. Simply twist the knob until you’re sound is rid of all unwanted buzz. Of course as any premium noise gate pedal should offer you, you can reach a staggering 60 db reduction without having any effect on your guitar sound. If you’re playing high gain music or happen to have a very noisy amplifier, this pedal is your solution. Give it a try!
Buy On AmazonBest Value For Money
For our best value for money selection, we’ve gone with the TC Electronic Sentry. This excellent noise gate pedal has a lot of advanced technology such as a three band noise gate and a built in send/return loop which allows you to target specific noises within your rig. Perhaps more importantly its an excellent pedal at performing the basics of a noise gate. Take all that into consideration for a sub $100 pedal.. This is an excellent choice and easily the best value for money for a noise gate.
If you found this buyers guide of the 6 best noise gate pedals both enjoyable and informative. Comment below your own review or any questions you may have regarding this product. If you have an questions recommendations of guitar pedals that your would like to see us review, also leave a comment and we will get them covered for you.
Check out our other buyers guide for reverb pedals and chorus pedals
Here at Guitar Effects Pedalz we also provide full reviews of the best online guitar services so you can learn guitar online
FAQ – Best Noise Gate Pedals
What is a Noise Gate Pedal?
A noise gate pedal is a type of guitar effect that helps control unwanted noise or hum produced by the guitar’s signal when it’s not being actively played. It functions by cutting off the audio signal below a certain threshold level, effectively silencing any background noise or feedback.
How Does a Noise Gate Pedal Work?
A noise gate pedal works by analyzing the input signal from the guitar. When the signal drops below a specified volume threshold, the pedal attenuates or mutes the output signal, eliminating noise and hum until the signal surpasses the threshold again. This allows for a cleaner and quieter sound during silent or sustained passages.
Why Do I Need a Noise Gate Pedal?
Noise gate pedals are particularly beneficial for guitarists playing high-gain or heavily distorted tones. These setups often introduce unwanted hiss, feedback, or string noise, which can be distracting and compromise the overall sound quality. A noise gate pedal helps maintain a professional and noise-free performance.
Can I Use a Noise Gate Pedal in a Chain with Other Effects?
Absolutely! Noise gate pedals can be used in conjunction with other guitar pedals without any issues. They are commonly placed after distortion, overdrive, and other gain-based pedals in the signal chain to control noise generated by these effects.
What Are the Key Features to Look for in a Noise Gate Pedal?
When searching for the best noise gate pedal, consider the following key features:
- Threshold Control: Allows you to set the level at which the gate activates, determining when the noise suppression kicks in.
- Release Time: Controls how quickly the gate closes after the input signal falls below the threshold. Adjustable release times offer flexibility for different playing styles.
- Sustain/Decay Control: Some noise gate pedals have a sustain or decay parameter, which helps you control how long the signal remains muted after falling below the threshold.
- Sidechain Inputs: Advanced noise gate pedals may offer sidechain inputs, allowing you to trigger the gate with an external source, providing more precise control over noise suppression.
Are There Different Types of Noise Gate Pedals?
Yes, there are two primary types of noise gate pedals:
- Hard/Threshold Gates: These gates have a fixed threshold level, meaning they either fully open or fully close the signal. They are straightforward to use and generally more suited for high-gain settings.
- Expander/Gate Pedals: Expander gates allow for more gradual noise reduction. As the input signal drops, they reduce the volume smoothly, providing a more natural and less abrupt cutoff.
Can I Use a Noise Gate Pedal in a Recording Studio?
Absolutely! Noise gate pedals are valuable tools in recording studios to clean up guitar tracks and reduce unwanted noise. They help create cleaner recordings and allow for more flexibility during the mixing process.
What Are Some Popular Noise Gate Pedals for Guitarists?
While we’ve already discussed specific pedals in the article, some popular noise gate pedals used by many guitarists include [SEO keyword: list popular noise gate pedal brands/models].
Remember, finding the best noise gate pedal depends on your individual preferences, playing style, and the specific needs of your setup.
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API