Whether you have aspirations of being your generation’s Eric Clapton or enjoy gigging with your band, humming, squealing, and other noises can compromise your sound. Fortunately, a noise gate pedal can provide a great solution for these issues. Noise gate pedals are designed to eliminate the noises beyond a specified threshold to create a clean sound without cutting off your long notes or compromising your performance. While a noise gate pedal may be a relatively inexpensive piece of kit, it should be an invaluable tool in your arsenal, so it is crucial to choose the best noise gate pedal for your set up.
With so many noise gate pedals on the market, it can be difficult to make a purchase decision. In our best noise gate pedal review, we’ve considered the functionality and performance of the pedals, looking at modes, sound quality, interface, warranties, and prices. These factors should heavily influence your choice of the pedal and help you to find the one best suited to your requirements.
Our research team has compiled a list of some of the best noise gate pedals on the market. Our team not only look at the features of each pedal, but also manufacturer information and user feedback. These details have allowed us to create in-depth reviews, a comprehensive buying guide, and product tables to help you to make your informed purchase decision.
Just like any piece of gear, the features on a noise gate pedal will vary from one to another. So, when you are shopping for a new pedal, there are some features that you should consider, including:
When you have an extensive setup, the space on your pedalboard can become tight, so you need to know that your noise gate pedal can slot into your set up without impacting your other effects. Many manufacturers appreciate this and design noise gate pedals with compact designs that can easily be accommodated on a pedalboard. It is worth looking at your current set up to check what space you have available and think about your future purchases so that you can keep your new pedal in your set up.
Just curious, how does the MXR Smart Gate not make the list? I know you mentioned that the BOSS pedal is the only pedal to have a mute option, but that’s simply not true. The MXR does not explicitly say “mute”, however when you engage the “full” noise reduction mode, especially along with the “high trigger range”, it does mute the signal. This is easily identifiable, as the light labeled “gate” will come on when it is “muted”. Don’t believe me?, well it’s one of the hallmark features pioneered by MXR in the “smart” gate. I understand personal preference, bias, and stigma associated with using the most popular pedal for noise control. However, its popularity is because it does work amazingly well. It is known for being extremely transparent, having an unusually fast attack, and quick release. I came across this article by chance, but it blew my mind that you made a top 5 list and simply ignored its existence. I’ve used so many different types over the years, but you’re doing a disservice to your readers by including your own bias in the article. If you like BOSS, that’s great, but they aren’t the best at everything. I’ve found that the BOSS noise suppressor is very good, and deserves a spot on the top shelf, but excluding the staple noise reduction pedal stands out to me.
Thank you for sharing your insights on the MXR Smart Gate and its noise reduction capabilities. We appreciate your detailed explanation of how the pedal functions and how it can effectively mute the signal when engaged in the “full” noise reduction mode. Your perspective on the features and performance of the MXR Smart Gate is valuable and will certainly be helpful for our readers who are considering noise reduction pedals.
While we do acknowledge the capabilities of the MXR Smart Gate and its reputation for transparency and quick response, the selection of pedals for our top 5 list was based on a combination of factors including popularity, versatility, and overall user feedback. We understand that personal preferences and biases can influence opinions, and we strive to provide a diverse range of options for our readers to explore.