Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $75
Budget/Beginner
$75
$151+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop, a musician's secret weapon against unwanted noise. This sophisticated noise gate tool can tame either a single pedal or an entire effects loop, giving you complete control over your sound. Its three-control layout ensures precise fine-tuning to fit your system, instrument, and playing style.
The Threshold control adjusts the level required to open the noise gate and allow a signal to pass through. The Reduction regulates the extent to which the gated signal is reduced, ranging from -70dB to +4dB. The Release controls how long the gate remains open after the signal drops below the Threshold. Its release time is variable between 8ms and 4 seconds.
The Silencer's I/O includes 1/4" Input, Output, Send, and Return jacks. The footswitch selects whether The Silencer is engaged or in bypass mode, while the buffered bypass allows the effects loop to remain in your signal path when the gate is bypassed. The pedal comes with a 9V battery and a built-in AC jack that accepts a standard power supply like the EHX 9.6DC unit (optional).
Key Features:
- Sophisticated noise gate for taming single pedal or entire effects loop
- Threshold, Reduction, and Release controls for fine-tuning
- Noise reduction variable between -70dB and +4dB
- Release time variable between 8ms and 4 seconds
- I/O includes: 1/4" Input, Output, Send, and Return jacks
- Buffered bypass allows effects loop to remain in signal path when gate is bypassed
- Powered by a 9V battery or optional AC adaptor
- Compact design in a rugged chassis for durability
Owner's manual
Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop User ManualProduct specs
| Pedal Type | Noise Gate/Effects Loop |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (return) |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" (out), 1 x 1/4" (send) |
| Bypass Switching | Buffered |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply required (sold separately) |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Power Usage | 22mA |
| Height | 2" |
| Width | 2.75" |
| Depth | 4.5" |
FAQs
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How does the Electro-Harmonix Silencer Noise Gate work with an effects loop?
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The Electro-Harmonix Silencer features a built-in effects loop, allowing you to place noisy pedals within it to effectively manage unwanted noise. This setup helps maintain a clean signal by gating noise from specific pedals without affecting the entire signal chain.
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Can the Electro-Harmonix Silencer Noise Gate be used with both guitar and bass?
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Yes, the Electro-Harmonix Silencer is suitable for both guitar and bass. Its adjustable threshold, reduction, and release controls make it adaptable to various instruments and playing styles, effectively reducing noise in any setup.
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What power supply is required for the Electro-Harmonix Silencer Noise Gate?
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The Electro-Harmonix Silencer requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It can also run on a 9V battery, making it convenient for both pedalboard integration and standalone use.
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Does the Electro-Harmonix Silencer affect the tone of my guitar?
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The Electro-Harmonix Silencer is designed with buffered bypass switching to preserve your guitar's tone. When engaged, it reduces unwanted noise without altering the core tonal characteristics of your instrument.
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How does the Electro-Harmonix Silencer compare to other noise gates?
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The Electro-Harmonix Silencer stands out with its integrated effects loop, allowing for precise noise management of specific pedals. Its adjustable controls for threshold, reduction, and release provide versatile noise suppression tailored to your setup.
Videos
EHX
The Electro-Harmonix Silencer Noise Gate / Effects Loop Pedal
Reviews
PROS
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Does not produce any noise or tone sucking
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Affordable compared to similar noise gate pedals
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Highly effective at eliminating noise without affecting tone
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Built-in effects loop provides versatile setup options
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Intuitive controls with customizable settings for precision noise gating
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Small form factor and aesthetically pleasing design
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Works well with high gain and distortion setups
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Preserves the natural decay of notes and doesn't cut sustain
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Durable, made out of metal, and reliable for live performances
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Compatible with a variety of guitars and effects chains
CONS
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Requires careful setup to optimize performance
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Learning curve to figure out the best placement in the signal chain
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Overkill for setups with subtle drive and gain
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Some users may miss a separate "Attack" knob for more control
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Can be less efficient at suppressing noise compared to some alternatives
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop.
Features and functionality
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The Silencer's dials are sensitive, allowing precise frequency control to eliminate unwanted noise without affecting the overall tone.
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The Silencer uses a 4-cable method effectively, though some users notice it doesn’t use direct guitar input for threshold level detection.
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The Silencer's effects loop doesn't allow for on/off signal chain removal, unlike the Donner SophGate, which disconnects looped pedals when disengaged.
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The Silencer requires precise dialing of threshold and release to function effectively, but lacks reliability in maintaining a consistent sweet spot for noise suppression.
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User experience
Comparisons
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Despite its effectiveness, the Silencer struggles with playing dynamics, especially for soft-touch players, compared to alternatives like the Decimator G-String.
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The Donner SophGate offers a feature where engaging the pedal removes looped effects from the signal chain, contrasting with the Silencer's fixed loop effect.
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Users find the MXR Smart Gate more reliable than the Silencer, as it consistently suppresses noise without requiring constant threshold adjustments.
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Use cases and applications
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The Silencer is effective for maintaining quietness when not playing, even with pedals like the Nano Big Muff and Hot Wax looped through it.
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The Silencer is effectively used as a "jack-in" point for auditioning drives and fuzz pedals without permanent board setup.
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Some users creatively use the Silencer to dynamically trigger a second overdrive or modded sidechain, though it's less effective as a traditional noise gate.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 13 Reviews and 102 Ratings
284
Surprisingly great
This was a pretty affordable noise gate, so I honestly expected to have to temper my expectations here. But I've had it for some years now, and have absolutely no complaints. The gate closes in a natural way, where I never hear it cutting off my sustain or anything. And as long as I keep the threshold in the right place, it doesn't trim off my quiet playing either. (I have noticed I need to adjust the Threshold when I switch guitars. The place it needs to be for my noisy P-90 pickups will cut off other guitars too high.)
And it's very small, so I was able to mount it underneath my pedalboard and never have to look at or think about it too much again after that.
439
Solid noise gate
Not a ton to say about a noise gate, does the job well. Having some customizing knobs doesn’t hurt. I have it early in my chain to reduce the noise at the start from single coils. Works great!
252
Works best when you know how to use it
I used to use this pedal before my amp, after my treble booster and fuzz, but it used to suck my sustain and tone. Then few members of EHX forum recommended to try it in X-configuration, so I connected it that way and then re-adjusted the settings, now it works better.
Tightens tone up nicely
Without this pedal, feedback is often a big issue i have with high gain. But this gate kills that completely. Also, I find that this tightens up my generally sloppy amp, and gives my amp a little more definition with single notes and strung out chords. Amazing pedal for price.
550
Cuts noise as expected
Really cuts unwanted noise and usable enough for high gain application. I used the 4-cable method on this to isolate noisy pedals that I have. Had to let this go as I have already purchased the Horizon Devices Precision Drive.
207
EHX hits the bullseye again
The Silencer is a new offering in 2015. Its an effective and easy to use noise gate, but the extra bit of cool factor is a built in effects loop. Aside from the obvious uses for the loop, the two outputs can make for some pretty creative applications. Play around with your chain, with multiple amps. At ~$60, its an easy decision.
417
It's really good pedal but I dont wanna use it anymore
I used it when I was playing with SLS The Urge. The Urge has had active pickups and it was very noisy if I didnt use it. I gave it 5 starts because of great performance and effect loop possibility
616
Using it in the X configuration
My guitar goes straight to this pedal. I the use the send output to go to the rest of my pedal board, then into the amp and back out the effects loop of my amp into the return jack. From there, I connect the pedal output to my my delay and reverb before sending the signal back to my amp. This thing works great.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this vlog at 4:47 Joe shows his pedalboard at the time, including the EHX Silencer
Lindsay McDougall uses the Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop, as confirmed by the Frenzal Rhomb website dedicated to their guitar pedals for the Europe Tour 2024. https://youtu.be/JQ2fvn4TgnY?t=192
The Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop pedal is used by Dennis Mikula, as evidenced by its appearance in the provided photo.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Electro-Harmonix The Silencer Noise Gate/Effects Loop, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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By high end I mean lower quality (from my experience) and more expensive. It has more features than the silencer but isn’t as effective
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If you use tube amps and/or tube preamp/power amp setups, and don't want the hassle of pedal noise gates that just doesn't completely block out the hum without compromising sustain, take a serious look at the ISP Decimator ProRack G. I haven't even looked back at ANY of the pedal noise gates since I started using the ProRack G.
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