GGate Free
GGATE
GVST GGate is a straightforward noise gate designed to deal with unwanted low-level noise in recorded audio.
Built as a utility rather than a creative effect, it focuses on predictable threshold-based gating, making it a reliable choice for cleaning up individual tracks and maintaining clarity in busy mixes.
System Requirements:
- 32 & 64-bit
- VST 3 / AU
- Windows
- MacOs
Focused Noise Reduction
GGate works by silencing the incoming signal whenever it falls below a user-defined threshold, allowing audio to pass through only when the signal level exceeds that point.
This makes it particularly effective for removing background noise during pauses in performances, such as amplifier hum, room noise, or residual artefacts introduced earlier in the signal chain. Because the gate is fully closed below the threshold, unwanted noise is removed entirely rather than simply reduced.
Attack and fade controls allow the gating behaviour to be shaped to suit the source material.
The attack parameter determines how quickly the gate opens once the signal exceeds the threshold, which is critical for preserving fast transients on sources like drums or percussive guitar parts.
The fade control defines how smoothly the gate closes after the signal drops back below the threshold, helping to avoid abrupt cut-offs or unnatural tails.
Simple Interface, Predictable Results
The interface reflects the plugin’s utility-driven design. Three clearly labelled controls manage threshold, attack, and fade, each with a numeric readout for precise adjustment.
A built-in activity meter provides visual feedback, making it easy to see when the gate is opening or closing in response to the incoming signal.
This keeps setup fast and removes guesswork when working with subtle noise floors.
GGate does not attempt to offer sidechain filtering, multiband processing, or program-dependent behaviour. Instead, it delivers consistent, repeatable results with minimal CPU usage, making it suitable for use across multiple tracks in larger sessions.
Its restrained feature set also makes it easy to integrate into templates or standard workflows where speed and reliability are more important than deep control.
Key Features:
A utility-focused noise gate built for clarity and control.
- Threshold-based gating for complete silencing below a defined level.
- Attack control to preserve transients when the gate opens.
- Fade control for smooth and natural gate closure.
- Real-time activity meter for clear visual feedback.
- Minimal control set for fast and repeatable setup.
- Low CPU footprint suitable for large projects.
- Free VST plugin compatible with a wide range of DAWs.
FAQ
GGate fully mutes the signal below the threshold and offers no modulation or shaping beyond attack and fade. This makes it ideal for technical noise removal rather than rhythmic or sound-design gating.
Unlike a downward expander, which reduces gain gradually, GGate closes completely when triggered. This is more effective when silence is required between phrases or notes.
It is typically placed early in the chain, before compression, distortion, or saturation, to prevent noise from being amplified by subsequent processing.
Yes, provided the threshold, attack, and fade are set carefully. Slower fade times help maintain natural vocal tails while still reducing noise between phrases.
No. When the gate is open, all audio passes through, including background noise. The noise becomes less noticeable because the desired signal dominates.
