MXR M135 SMART GATE

Essential Information About the Analog Noise Gate Pedal

• Immediate and musical noise reduction thanks to a simple and effective "trigger" control, ideal for cutting high-gain hiss.


• 3 filtering modes "hiss," "mid," and "full" to adapt the noise gate to your amp, pickups, and playing style.


• Intensity indicator: clear visual feedback of the gate's action, useful both live and in the studio.


• True bypass and robust 6.35mm Jack connectors designed to withstand thousands of plug-ins.

A Must-Have for the Modern Pedalboard: The Noise Gate Serving Saturated Sounds

The noise gate has become an indispensable ally whenever stacking gain: distortions, overdrives, fuzz, high-gain preamps, or boosts. Its role is simple: let your playing through when you play, then cut residual noise (hiss, hum, interference) as soon as you stop. This approach, widely used in modern rock, metal, and punk, helps maintain a cleaner, clearer sound, and especially sharp silences between riffs.

This pedal features an analog design and goes straight to the point: fast action, no menus or programming, designed to integrate easily into any pedalboard.

Who Is This Pedal For, and In What Contexts Is It Most Useful?

This pedal is aimed at guitarists (and bassists depending on your chain and gain level) who want to take back control over background noise. It suits beginners discovering the joys of gain as well as seasoned musicians seeking a reliable solution on stage.

In live settings, it helps keep the mix clearer, especially with generous saturation, low tunings, or high-output pickups. In the studio, it speeds up work: less hiss between takes, cleaner stops, and better-controlled dynamics. It is particularly relevant for styles where silences are part of the groove: modern metal, djent, hardcore, alternative rock, but also funk/rock with precise stops.

Settings, Modes, and Integration: Quick to Use

The pedal is controlled via a single "trigger" setting. In practice, this control determines the open/close threshold: the higher you set the trigger, the stricter the pedal becomes, quickly cutting weak signals (and thus noise). The lower you set it, the more it lets note endings and nuances breathe, at the cost of a bit more residual hiss. This is the key setting to achieve an effective gate without "eating" the attack or choking the sustain.

You also have three modes: "hiss" to target typical high-gain chain hiss, "mid" for a more focused and often more natural action on crunch/drive sounds, and "full" for broader and more radical reduction when you want ultra-clean silences. The intensity indicator completes the experience: you immediately see when and how much the gate is acting, simplifying onstage adjustments.

Regarding transparency, the true bypass preserves your tone when the effect is off. The 6.35mm Jack inputs/outputs and robust design make it a pedal built for repeated connections, ideal if you frequently set up/tear down your rig or if your pedalboard lives the concert life.

Sound Character

A good noise gate doesn't try to "sound" like anything: it must primarily respect your attack and avoid artificial cuts. Here, the analog approach and trigger setting allow you to quickly find the balance point between clean silence and preserved dynamics. In "hiss" mode, the action is typically very effective on distortion hiss without necessarily hardening the tone. The "mid" mode often favors a softer behavior, useful for maintaining the natural feel of crunch and note endings. The "full" mode aims for maximum efficiency: perfect for choppy riffs, precise palm mutes, and sharp stops when you want a very "tight" result.

Pedalboard tip: generally place it after your gain pedals (overdrive/distortion/fuzz) for immediate results. If your noise mainly comes from the amp (high-gain preamp), the ideal placement may vary depending on your setup and effects loop options.

Technical specifications

Effects	Noise Gate	EQ	No
Technology	Analog	Settings	trigger
Format	Pedal	Use	guitar, Bass
Inputs	Jack	Color	Grey
Outputs	Jack	Power supply	9V battery, DC 9 V
True bypass	Yes

Category	Noise Gate	Connectors	2 x jack in/out designed to withstand thousands of plug-ins
Control	trigger	Compatible	9 V battery
Intensity indicator	yes	Power	9 V battery or 9 V DC
Modes	"hiss," "mid," "full"	Required voltage	9 V DC