Expanders / Gates

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6 Products

Rupert Neve Designs 5045 Primary Source Enhancer

2-channel Background Noise Reduction System for Feedback Reduction and Live Sound Enhancement

$2,299.00

Or ^$64^.00/month^§ with
36 month financing* i

Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)

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Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 Compressor with De-esser

2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Gate

$159.00

6 Month Special Financing Available^‡

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Rated 4.6/5 Stars (25)

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Drawmer DS201 2-channel Noise Gate

2-Channel Frequency-Conscious Noise Gate

$1,099.00

Or ^$31^.00/month^§ with
36 month financing* i

Rated 4.0/5 Stars (1)

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Save $187.35

Drawmer DS404 4-channel Noise Gate Certified Open Box

4-Channel Frequency Sensitive Gate with Variable Hi-Pass and Lo-Pass Filters.

$1,061.65

Or ^$30^.00/month^§ with
36 month financing* i

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Drawmer DS404 4-channel Noise Gate

4-Channel Frequency Sensitive Gate with Variable Hi-Pass and Lo-Pass Filters.

$1,249.00

Or ^$35^.00/month^§ with
36 month financing* i

Certified Open Box available for $1,061.65

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Drawmer MXPRO-30 2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Gate

2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Gate with Programme Adaptive Gate and Soft Knee Auto Compression Functions

$849.00

Or ^$24^.00/month^§ with
36 month financing* i

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Shop Noise Gates and Expanders for Cleaner, Tighter Mixes

Need some noise management for a leaky floor tom or buzzy guitar cab? Sweetwater’s expanders and noise gates can clean up your signal without introducing unwanted artifacts. Whether you’re shaping live tone or refining a studio mix, our Sales Engineers can help you compare options and find the best fit for your setup.

Tracking 101: Negating the Noise Floor

We all know what it’s like to capture a great take, only to discover later on that it’s full of noise: drums from your singer’s headphones leaking into the microphone, or noisy preamp hiss creeping its way into your signal. Without treatment, these ailments can render a recording unusable. Fortunately, there are two efficient ways to deal with noise in recordings: noise gates and audio expanders.

Audio Expander vs. Gate: Which Do You Need?

Noise gates and audio expanders both reduce signal below a set threshold, but each goes about it differently. Noise gates mute audio abruptly, while expanders reduce levels gradually based on a ratio. Use a gate to instantly eliminate loud, unwanted sounds (such as mic bleed or hi-hat noise) between drum hits or vocal phrases, or reach for an expander to provide more natural-sounding reduction as the level fades into the noise floor. Think of an expander as a gate in “lower gear.” These units can leave a controlled amount of low-level spill intact, which is often ideal when you want subtler cleanup without harsh-sounding cutoffs.

Control Spill at the Source with a Hardware Noise Gate

Noise gates and audio expanders extend your perceived dynamic range, effectively reducing the volume of low-level ambient noise or eliminating it altogether. This makes hardware noise gates incredibly effective as the first dynamics processor in your tracking chain, giving you greater control over transients and bleed as your mix evolves.

Enhance Transients Through Expansion

Ever feel like the snap of your snare or the punch of your palm-mute isn’t landing? A fast-acting expander could be your secret weapon, stripping away cymbal noise and amp bleed so your downbeats and downstrokes can breathe again. Dialed in with care, subtle expansion can tighten up your transient response without making your mix feel squashed.

Shape Dynamics Creatively With Sidechain Control

Sweetwater offers a variety of audio expanders and noise gates, and each has varying features. Most gates include basic controls for threshold, attack, hold, and release. Some models feature sidechain control for improving rhythmic precision or creating interesting effects that you couldn’t get otherwise.

Target Problem Frequencies With Precision Filtering

Do you want to filter out troubling sounds? Check out our gates that feature highpass and/or lowpass filters. They’re great for helping you shape your sound more precisely. We also offer noise gates with independent internal frequency filters, helpful for targeting noise or specific room or instrument resonance.

Consider the Connectors and Channel Count

How many channels do you need for your gate? Sweetwater carries 1-channel, 2-channel, and 4-channel options, so before buying, think about how much of your gear you plan on hooking up. Connector types vary by model, but many units offer XLR and/or quarter-inch inputs.

Find the Right Noise Gate for Your Setup at Sweetwater

Whatever your stage or studio setup, Sweetwater has solutions for all your hardware gating and expansion needs. Need help choosing your next piece of gear? Our Sales Engineers can help guide you to the tools that match your sound goals and budget, whether you’re a seasoned professional or creating your first track.