Noise Gate

A noise gate is a guitar effect used to reduce unwanted noise by muting the signal when it falls below a set volume threshold. This helps eliminate hiss, hum, pickup noise, and amp buzz that can occur when using high-gain amps, distortion pedals, or long signal chains. When the guitar signal rises above the threshold, the gate opens and allows sound through; when it drops below, the gate closes, keeping silent passages clean and controlled.

Most noise gate pedals offer controls for threshold and sometimes decay or release, which determine how quickly the signal is cut off after notes fade. Subtle settings can clean up background noise without affecting sustain, while more aggressive settings create a tight, percussive response ideal for fast riffing and palm-muted playing. Advanced noise gates may include loop functionality, allowing the gate to monitor the clean guitar signal while gating noisy pedals or amps later in the chain for more transparent results.

Noise gates are especially popular in metal, hard rock, and high-gain styles, but they are useful in any setup where clarity and silence matter. They help tighten rhythm playing, prevent feedback between songs, and keep recordings free from distracting noise. For guitarists running gain-heavy rigs or complex pedalboards, a noise gate is an essential tool for maintaining a polished, professional sound.