8 Best Noise Gate Plugins (Perfect for Drums, Vocals, Bass)

Today, I present you some of the best noise gate VST plugins to clean up and give life to your tracks!

Noise gates are one of those tools you don’t think about until you need one. And then? You realize they’re super important for a clean, polished mix. For silencing a noisy guitar track, tightening up drum hits, or cleaning up vocals, a solid gate can mean the difference between clarity and clutter.

But, as with any modern plugin: noise gates aren’t just on/off switches anymore. They come loaded with lookahead, sidechaining, adaptive thresholds, and even AI-driven processing, giving you way more control over your dynamics.

Some are built for subtle noise reduction, while others are perfect for creative rhythmic effects or ultra-fast transient shaping. So, it might be hard to choose one that fits your needs.

In this roundup, we’re diving into the best noise gate plugins for vocals, bass, drums, and beyond. Whether you’re cleaning up a mix or pushing boundaries with dynamic gating effects, these plugins have got your back. Let’s get into it!

1. FabFilter Pro-G

How often do you find a noise  that actually listens to your mix instead of just reacting to volume? Pro-G feels like it’s in sync with your audio, making it a lifesaver for both cleanup and creative control.

Whether I’m taming noisy drum tracks, controlling vocal bleed, or even shaping dynamics for more punch, this thing delivers with precision and flexibility.

The way Pro-G handles attack and release is what makes it stand out. I love that these settings aren’t just static, as they’re program-dependent, meaning the gate reacts dynamically to your input signal.

This makes everything sound smoother and more musical, even when working with unpredictable material.

• Lookahead Function

I’ve found this essential for transient-heavy sources like drums. It allows the gate to anticipate hits instead of cutting off transients too aggressively. This keeps drums punchy instead of feeling choked.

• Visual Interface

The GUI is ridiculously helpful. You can see exactly how the gate opens and closes, which makes fine-tuning less frustrating. I enjoy being able to dial things in fast, especially when working under pressure.

• Adaptive Behavior

Some basic units feel rigid, but Pro-G noise gate plugin adjusts dynamically to the signal. This means no unnatural pumping or awkward cut-offs; just natural, responsive gating that feels musical.

That said, I wish there were a way to solo just the signal for more detailed tweaking. Also, while the stereo mixing and routing knobs are powerful, they can feel a little awkward to adjust.

For my workflow Pro-G is more than just a gate, it’s a problem solver. For cleaning up messy recordings or pushing creative boundaries, this thing adapts to my workflow and just works.

Pro-G comes in VST, VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX Native and AudioSuite formats. for macOS and Windows users.

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2. Sonible smart:gate

There’s something futuristic about smart:gate, and yeah, it’s the AI magic.

Unlike standard noise gate VSTs that just cut based on volume, smart:gate analyzes your track and locks onto the sound you actually want, whether it’s vocals, drums, or guitars. It’s like having a plugin that actually understands your mix instead of just guessing.

What excites me the most is the 3-band suppression network. This lets you control different frequency ranges independently, so you can target problem areas without wrecking the entire signal.

Got a snare drowning in cymbal bleed? You can tame the highs while keeping the snare’s body punchy and alive.

• Visual Feedback

What I really like here is how easy it is to see exactly what’s happening. Instead of tweaking blindly, you get a clear visual representation of what’s being gated, making adjustments way less frustrating.

• Instant Replay Function

Instant Replay Function comes in super handy. If you’re fine-tuning settings but want to hear how they affect the last few seconds, you can instantly jump back and replay the section. No more stopping and resetting, just seamless workflow.

• AI-Based Processing

The star of the show in this VST noise gate is that it automatically detects and adapts to your source material. It works beautifully on familiar sounds like drums and vocals, but if you’re using something more experimental, you might need to make a few manual tweaks.

But, I must say that the AI magic comes with a small trade-off, on unconventional sounds, it can feel a bit rigid. But for everyday mixing tasks, this one is a great plugin, giving you smarter noise control so you can stop fussing with gates and just focus on making music.

smart:gate comes in VST, VST3. AU, AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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3. SSL X-Gate

Let’s take a moment to appreciate SSL doing what they do best; bringing high-end studio tech into plugin form, which you can see in their X-Gate model.

Ever felt like your noise gate was more of a blunt tool than a precision weapon? X-Gate changes that. Inspired by SSL’s digital broadcast consoles, it gives you a highly visual, super-intuitive interface that makes gating feel more musical and actually fun to use.

What immediately grabbed me was the rolling waveform graph. This real-time display lets you set thresholds with surgical accuracy, so the gate only triggers exactly when and where you want.

• Mid/Side Processing

I always respect how much creative control Mid/Side Processing adds. You can gate only the mono or stereo components of your signal, which is crazy useful for tightening up a mix without killing natural ambiance.

• Tweakable Hysteresis

With independent open and close thresholds, you can fine-tune the software’s behavior to match your track’s dynamics. Whether it’s a tight vocal, punchy drum kit, or evolving synth, this flexibility keeps everything sounding natural.

• EXP and DUCK Modes

These modes open up even more possibilities. EXP offers smooth, transparent expansion, while DUCK lets you dynamically reduce levels instead of hard-cutting, making it perfect for broadcast or voice-over applications.

If there’s a downside, it’s that X-Gate noise gate plugin isn’t the most beginner-friendly plugin out there. The advanced controls take a little time to get used to, but once you do, it’s hard to go back to basic gating plugins.

With visual feedback, deep customization, and pro-level processing, X-Gate turns a simple task into a creative tool you’ll actually want to use.

X-Gate comes in VST, VST3, AU and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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4. Sonnox Oxford Drum Gate

If you’ve ever fought with drum bleed while trying to get a clean, punchy mix, Oxford Drum Gate is here to save the day.

Different than traditional units that just slam open and shut, Drum Gate actually adapts to your audio, keeping things tight while preserving the groove. I use it as it’s exactly what I need when isolating drum hits without butchering the feel of the track.

The Match Transient feature is where things get really exciting for me. Instead of treating all transients the same, the plugin lets you specify whether you’re working with a kick, snare, or tom, so the gating is super precise.

• Learn Unmatched

In my experience, Learn Unmatched is a lifesaver when dealing with bleed. If the VST misses a hit, you can manually correct it, and the plugin learns from your tweaks, applying them across the track. It makes cleanup insanely fast compared to old-school gating methods.

• Frequency-Selective Decay

Frequency-Selective Decay is another great feature letting you shape how different frequencies ring out. I liked using it to keep the snare tail intact while taming cymbal spill, it’s like having dynamic EQ built into the gate.

• Leveller Tab

This helps smooth out drum hits for consistency, which is great for tricky performances. But push it too far, and things can start sounding too polished. The key is finding that balance between control and natural dynamics.

There’s a lot of tweaking potential with this VST noise gate, and it’s easy to overdo it if you’re not careful. But once you dial it in, it’s a great unit to have in the arsenal for anyone working with live drums.

Oxford Drum Gate comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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5. Black Salt Audio Silencer

Well, if you’ve dealt with it before you know that cymbal bleed is the worst. You get a killer drum take, but all that unwanted wash smears everything, making the snare sound weak and the kick loses its punch. That’s exactly what Silencer fixes.

Instead of just chopping out spill like a traditional gate, the Silencer isolates transients with surgical precision, keeping your drums tight without losing their natural feel.

I think what makes this plugin special is its de-bleeding technology. It doesn’t just lower the volume of unwanted noise, as it digs deep, identifying specific frequencies and stripping them out from the drum hits.

In Queen’s English, this means your snare, kick, and toms cut through cleanly, while that messy cymbal wash disappears like it was never there.

• Instrument-Specific Controls

One of my favorite sides of the unit is that you’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all setting. You get dedicated controls for snare top, snare bottom, kick, and toms, so each part of the kit gets treated exactly how it needs.

• User-Friendly Interface

The user-friendly GUI is great for beginners especially as it makes this VST, one of those plugins you can start using immediately. The layout is clean, and simple, and doesn’t make you overthink. Dial in your settings, and you’re good to go, no manual reading required.

• Natural Transient Preservation

Although sounds like it, with the Natural Transient Preservation this isn’t some robotic tool that kills the vibe. Your drums still breathe, and still feel alive, but without the clutter. It’s like giving them their own private space in the mix.

On the flip side, some users (myself included) have noticed that reducing spill can slightly soften the high-end clarity. If you find your snare or cymbals sounding a little dull, a touch of high-frequency EQ should bring back that sparkle.

Honestly, Silencer feels like a secret weapon for live drum recordings. If your mics are picking up way too much bleed or your mix is feeling muddy, this plugin can clean it up fast, without the frustration of endless tweaking.

Silencer comes in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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6. Polyverse Gatekeeper

Forget everything you thought you knew about noise gates, Gatekeeper is something else entirely.

Gatekeeper noise gate VST plugin is not just about cutting noise; it’s about shaping sound, adding rhythmic movement, and turning static elements into something alive.

What really hooked me was the 8 independent envelopes. You can sculpt multiple aspects of your sound at once, making it perfect for gating and volume modulation.

Whether I want my bassline to pulse in time with the track or my synth pad to breathe in and out, Gatekeeper makes it easy.

• Live Waveform Editing

Live Waveform Editing is the secret sauce of this noise gate VST. You don’t just turn knobs, as you actually see your modulation happening in real-time, making adjustments intuitive and fun.

• Responsive Design

I love how tight and snappy the plugin feels, thanks to the Responsive Design. Whenever I’m creating intricate volume patterns or just tightening up transients, it reacts instantly.

• Creative Sound Design

I think this plugin isn’t just for gating; it’s a modulation powerhouse. You can use it for tremolo, sidechain effects, and rhythmic chops that add serious energy to a mix.

That said, if you just need a basic gate to clean up spill, this might be way more than you need.

It’s like using a Ferrari for grocery runs, cool, but maybe overkill. But if you’re looking to push boundaries and get creative, Gatekeeper is an absolute must-have.

Gatekeeper comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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7. SIR Audio Tools StandardGATE

Alright, let’s talk about a plugin that keeps things simple. No fancy AI, no overcomplicated controls; StandardGATE is just a rock-solid, reliable tool that does exactly what it’s supposed to.

Thinking of it, StandardGATE is like that go-to wrench in your toolbox: always there, always dependable.

Its simpl yet powerful features like the frequency control options make it stand out. Sure, you get your standard threshold, attack, release, and hold settings, but being able to target specific frequencies gives you way more precision.

• User-Friendly Interface

I love how fast this plugin is to use. No endless menu diving; just clear, straightforward controls that get you where you need to go. I think it’s one of the best choices for efficient workflow seekers.

• Flexible Gating

It works equally well for subtle noise reduction and more creative tasks like rhythmic gating or drum tightening. You can keep things clean or get experimental.

• Minimal CPU Usage

Another great thing is that this audio tool is really lightweight, so you can slap it on multiple tracks without worrying about performance issues.

Now, if you’re dealing with super noisy sources, you might miss features like lookahead or frequency-specific triggering. It’s great for general gating, but if you need surgical precision on a messy drum kit, you might want something more advanced.

At the end of the day, StandardGATE is all about efficiency. If you want a no-frills, reliable tool that won’t slow you down, this one’s an easy pick.

StandardGATE comes in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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8. Boz Digital Labs Gatey Watey

Sometimes, you just want a gate that works without fuss or endless tweaking. You just need quick, clean results. If this is you, meet with Gatey Watey.

Anything from cleaning up vocals, and tightening a kick drum, to giving a snare some breathing room, gets the job done without making me overthink it.

What I appreciated the most about Gatey Watey noise gate VST is how fast and intuitive it is. You don’t need to dive into endless settings, just dial in a few controls, and BOOM, instant clarity.

It’s one of those plugins where you actually enjoy the process instead of fighting with parameters for 20 minutes.

• Straightforward Interface

The GUI is one of the strong points for me as everything is right where you expect it to be. Without hidden menus or unnecessary fluff, it comes with just simple, effective gating that works exactly as you’d hope.

• Versatile Gating Options

It’s not just about noise control. I love using it for rhythmic gating on synths or to tighten up drums without killing their natural feel. It slides into any mix situation effortlessly.

• Quick, Reliable Results

This is one of those “set it and forget it” tools. Need a cleaner mix without hours of tweaking? Gatey Watey is your guy.

Now, if you’re working with super messy tracks loaded with bleed or complex noise, you might hit some limitations. It doesn’t have the deep frequency control of more advanced plugins, so for surgical precision, you’ll want something with more flexibility.

But for everyday tasks and quick creative fixes, Gatey Watey is a no-brainer. It’s fast, versatile, and just works, which, honestly, is all I really want from a good VST.

Gatey Watey comes in VST, VST3 AU, RTAS, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

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