DYNAMIC EFFECTS: DYNAMICS - NOISE GATE

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NOISE GATE

The Noise Gate in Logic Pro removes unwanted low-level audio—such as background hum, amp hiss, room noise, or headphone bleed—by allowing only sounds above a chosen threshold to pass through.

It is commonly used on vocals, drums, guitars, and any track where you want a cleaner, tighter, and more controlled sound. Noise gates can also be used creatively to shape rhythm or create stutter effects.

Key Features

Threshold: Sets the level at which the gate opens. Only signals above this level pass through.
Reduction: Controls how much the signal is reduced when the gate is closed.
Attack / Hold / Release: Shape how fast the gate opens, how long it stays open, and how smoothly it closes.
Side Chain Options: Trigger the gate from a different source—great for rhythmic gating or creative effects.
Range & Lookahead: Range sets how much attenuation occurs; lookahead ensures the gate opens cleanly for sharp transients.
Filter Section (SC HP/SC LP): Allows you to filter what the detector listens to—for example, making the gate respond only to a snare’s mid frequencies.

Best Use Cases

Removing background noise: Clean up vocal tracks, guitar amp hiss, drum recordings, and room noise.
Tightening drum performances: Gate toms, kick, or snare to eliminate bleed from cymbals and other drums.
Cleaning up electric guitars: Useful for stopping hum or hiss when the player isn’t playing.
Creative rhythmic effects: Sidechain the gate from drums to make pads, synths, or guitars pulse rhythmically.
Dialogue cleanup: Reduce breaths, chair squeaks, and room noise in spoken-word recordings.

NOISE GATE EFFECT ONLINE MANUAL

LISTEN to this POD about the NOISE GATE Plugin

Popular Song Examples

Phil Collins – “In the Air Tonight”
Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Billie Eilish – “bury a friend”
Daft Punk – “Around the World”
Radiohead – “Everything in Its Right Place”

Workflow Tips

Set the Threshold by ear, not by number: Lower until you hear noise, then raise until it disappears without cutting into wanted audio.
Use Lookahead for vocals and drums: This prevents the transient from getting clipped.
Don’t over-tighten Attack and Release: If the gate “chops” the sound, lengthen Attack or Release for more natural dynamics.
Use the sidechain Filter section: For example:
1. Gate toms using only mid frequencies
2. Gate guitars using only pick attack
3. Gate vocals while ignoring breaths
Try sidechain gating for creative movement: Sidechain a pad or reverb return to the kick to create rhythmic pulsing.
Use Range instead of a full cut: A moderate range (e.g., –12 dB) makes gating sound smoother and more natural.

FAMOUS USES

(These aren’t necessarily using Logic’s Noise Gate specifically, but they demonstrate similar gating techniques commonly used in production)

In The Air Tonight

Phil Collins – “In the Air Tonight”

Use of gating: classic gated reverb snare sound that defined the ’80s.

What it demonstrates: how aggressive gating shapes drums into something explosive. (5:36)

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Use of gating: subtle gating on drums and guitars to keep the loud/quiet dynamics tight.

What it demonstrates: noise control in high-gain rock. (5:01)

Bury a Friend

Billie Eilish – “bury a friend”

Use of gating: tight vocal and percussive gating for eerie, close-up textures.

What it demonstrates: modern vocal gating to control breaths and room noise. (3:13)

Around The World

Daft Punk – “Around the World”

Use of gating: rhythmically gated synths and bass elements.

What it demonstrates: creative gating for dance-music movement. (7:10)

LOGIC VIDEO TUTORIALS

Noise Gate Ducking

MusicTechHelpGuy provides a tutorial on Noise Gate ducking. (6:35)

Noise Gate- Tips

Jono provides a few tips on how to maximize Noise Gate on your tracks. (7:06)

Noise Gate - Quick Learn

Sun Dog provides a quick tutorial on how to Logic Pro's Noise Gate Effect Plug-in . (4:13)

Noise Gate - Kick/Snare

Timothy Charles Fehling demonstrates how to apply a noise gate to a kick and snare . (3:17)

Noise Gate - Basics

Simon Sound Studio demonstrates how to use Noise Gate to remove background noise in your tracks. (9:20)

Noise Gate- Transient Design

Audio University quickyl explains how to provides a few tips on how to use Noise Gate to design transients. (12:06)

Gated Rhythm

MusicTechHelpGuy provides a tutorial on to use the Noise Gate to create gated rhythmic sequences. (5:03)

Noise Gate - Full

Mastering.com provides a full tutorial on Logic Pro's Noise Gate plug-in, including every parameter. (27:11)

NOISE GATE BASICS

(Basics of Noise Gates)

Noise Gate - Quick Hit

Music by Mattie provides a quick hit on how noise gates work. (1:45)

Gates & Expanders

wickiemedia provides a quick tutorial on how audio gates and expanders work. (4:35)

Noise Gate Basics

Science of Loud discusses the basics of noise gates in depth. (14:53)

What is a Noise Gate?

iZotope explains what a noise gate is and how it works. (7:25)

SOURCE ARTICLES

SOURCE ARTICLES YOU CAN READ:

VOCABULARY

1. Noise Gate: A dynamic effect that silences audio signals below a set volume threshold to remove unwanted noise.

2. Threshold: The volume level below which the gate closes and silences the audio.

3. Attack: How quickly the gate opens when the signal exceeds the threshold.

4. Release: How quickly the gate closes after the signal falls below the threshold.

5. Hold: Keeps the gate open for a short time after the signal drops below the threshold.

6. Input Level: The volume of the audio before the gate is applied.

7. Output Level: The volume of the audio after the gate is applied.

8. Ratio: Determines how aggressively the gate reduces the signal below the threshold.

9. Sidechain: A secondary audio signal that can control when the gate opens or closes.

10. Bypass / Off: Turns the Noise Gate on or off so you can compare the processed and original audio.

11. Dynamics: Refers to the difference between loud and soft parts of a track; the gate affects quiet sounds.

12. Metering: Visual feedback showing when the gate is open or closed.

13. Range: Sets how much the signal is reduced when the gate is closed.

14. Threshold Curve: Shapes how smoothly the gate opens or closes.

15. Noise Reduction: The main purpose of the gate: to remove unwanted background noise while preserving desired audio.

QUIZZES

MANUAL

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