Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.0 (46)
$159.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (23)
$159.99
Amazon
5.0 (1)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (31)
$124.78 New
$47.81 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (86)
$159.99
zZounds
5.0 (2)
$159.99
Thomann
4.5 (130)
$145.00 $144.00 $1.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£155.00

Average Price: $140

Standard/Professional

$75

$151+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate, a musician's secret weapon for eliminating unwanted hum and hiss without sacrificing the soul of your sound. Designed to capture every nuance of your performance, the M135 features intelligent gating speed that adapts to your playing style, ensuring your sustain is never prematurely cut off. Whether you're a guitarist or bassist, this pedal is meticulously crafted to keep your tone pure and your performance noise-free.

With three operation modes - Hiss, Mid, and Full - you can customize the noise reduction to suit the unique characteristics of your rig. Are you into fast palm-muted riffs? The M135 Smart Gate snaps into action, adding incredible definition to your playing. Love holding those long, sustained chords? This pedal reacts slowly, allowing every note to shine through.

Built with a hardwire bypass and a precise threshold trigger, the M135 offers cleaner circuitry for a more transparent sound. The pedal is housed in a slim, durable stompbox that's designed to handle the rigors of the road.

Key Features:

  • Intelligent gating speed for optimal noise reduction
  • Three operation modes: Hiss, Mid, and Full
  • Hardwire bypass for a purer signal path
  • Precise threshold trigger for improved noise gating
  • Durable stompbox housing for longevity
  • Ideal for both guitarists and bassists
  • Controller for Trigger Level, Hiss, Mid and Full modes
  • 1 Input and 1 Output for easy connectivity
  • Gate LED and Status LED for clear operation visibility

Owner's manual

MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type Noise Gate
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
Power Source 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries 1 x 9V
Height 2.5"
Width 4.5"
Depth 5.5"
Weight 0.84 lbs.

FAQs

How does the MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate reduce unwanted noise?

The MXR M135 Smart Gate uses three selectable noise reduction modes (Hiss, Mid, and Full) to effectively eliminate unwanted noise while preserving your original guitar tone, making it ideal for high-gain setups.

Can the MXR M135 Smart Gate be powered with a 9V battery?

Yes, the MXR M135 Smart Gate can be powered by a 9V battery, providing flexibility for gigs and rehearsals without access to an AC outlet.

Is the MXR M135 Smart Gate suitable for use with both electric guitar and bass?

Yes, the MXR M135 Smart Gate is designed to work effectively with both electric guitars and basses, providing noise reduction across a wide range of frequencies.

Where should I place the MXR M135 Smart Gate in my effects chain?

The MXR M135 Smart Gate is typically placed after gain pedals like distortion or fuzz in your effects chain to effectively reduce noise without affecting the dynamics of your playing.

What are the dimensions of the MXR M135 Smart Gate pedal?

The MXR M135 Smart Gate measures 2.5 inches in height, 4.5 inches in width, and 5.5 inches in depth, making it a compact addition to any pedalboard setup.

Isurus

Isurus

MXR M135 Smart Gate Pedal Demo

Video thumbnail for MXR M135 Smart Gate Pedal Demo by Isurus

MXR M135 Smart Gate Pedal Demo

Isurus

Isurus

Video thumbnail for Guitar World Recommends - MXR Smart Gate by Guitar World

Guitar World Recommends - MXR Smart Gate

Guitar World

Guitar World

Video thumbnail for Why I Changed My Mind About Noise Gates by Vertex Effects

Why I Changed My Mind About Noise Gates

Vertex Effects

Vertex Effects

Reviews

PROS

  • Maintains note sustain without cutting sound abruptly

  • Three settings and adjustable knob provide versatile control

  • Effective with high gain setups, reducing noise without tone loss

  • Durable build and compact size, easy to integrate into pedalboards

  • Offers more control and better tone preservation compared to competitors

  • Can eliminate a wide range of noise types (hiss, hum, etc.)

  • Does not affect guitar sustain or attack negatively

  • Easy to set up and operate, works well in various pedal chain positions

CONS

  • Initial setting adjustments may be disappointing until the sweet spot is found

  • Full mode and high trigger range settings can slightly degrade tone

  • Some switches considered unnecessary by users preferring straightforward noise reduction

  • Price might be high compared to other noise gates on the market

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate.

Use cases and applications

  • Placing the MXR Smart Gate at the start of the FX loop optimizes noise reduction from gain pedals and the amp itself.

    Source
  • For achieving Alice in Chains-like tones with lots of gain and mids, users suggest minimizing gain to maintain saturation without excessive noise.

    Source

User experience

  • Stacking the Smart Gate with another gate can effectively reduce noise without sacrificing tone dynamics or sustain.

    Source
  • Owners of high-gain rigs report the MXR Smart Gate can make the tone sound muffled, akin to a "thick blanket over speakers."

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users suggest considering noise gates with a key input, like the Decimator, for better performance with lower gain settings.

    Source
  • Key-and-gate noise gates like the Fortin Zuul are recommended for high-gain setups to maintain tone while reducing noise more effectively than the MXR Smart Gate.

    Source
  • 4-wire key-style noise gates are preferred for high-gain setups due to their ability to eliminate noise without affecting tone, unlike 2-wire gates like the MXR Smart Gate.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The MXR Smart Gate can negatively impact dynamics if set too high; a careful balance is necessary to maintain tone quality.

    Source
  • The MXR Smart Gate struggles with noise reduction in high-gain settings where gain compression levels volume, making threshold balance challenging.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
freezeetch

Professional, dynamic, and responsive noise gate performance

Very professional sounding, dynamic, responsive noise gate. Does the trick nicely.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Duplantier uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Joe Duplantier

Singer, Guitarist

Gojira

...
Verified via GearGods

What type of delay pedal is it?

It’s an MXR Carbon Copy. And for the noise suppressor we use a Boss NS-2 or the MXR Smart Gate. We’re not sure if that’s the best but we’re using it right now and it works pretty well. And the tuner is a Boss TU-3.

See how Steve Albini uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Steve Albini

Singer, Guitarist

Big Black

...
Verified via reddit

In this photo, you can clearly see the MXR M135, right next to the Steve’s iconic Harmonic Percolator.

See how Scott Ian uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Scott Ian

Guitarist

Anthrax

...
Verified via YouTube

Scott Ian uses a few MXR noise gates in his setup, as seen at (12:15).

See how Dan Donegan uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Dan Donegan

Singer, Guitarist

Disturbed

...
Verified via Photo

this pedal is seen in a diagram of his rig

See how Brendon Small uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Brendon Small

Guitarist

Dethklok

...
Verified via Twitter

A photo of Brendon Small's pedalboard posted to his Twitter in Oct 2014 shows he uses the MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate pedal (it can be seen in the middle of the board). He says, "Fired up the ol' Dethklok pedal board for @FestivalSupreme sounds real clean @Roland_US @jimdunlopusa @RiveraAmps"

See how Damon Johnson uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Damon Johnson

Guitarist

Thin Lizzy

...
Verified via Photo

D. Johnson uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate. Source.

See how Dave Amato uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Dave Amato

Singer, Guitarist

REO Speedwagon

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this article here

See how Tim Fluckey uses MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate

Tim Fluckey

Singer, Guitarist

Adema

...
Verified via Guitar

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Fluckey uses the MXR Smart Gate pedal.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use MXR M135 Smart Gate Noise Gate, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

MXR M169 Carbon Copy
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Delay Effects Pedals
2
MXR EVH Phase 90
MXR EVH Phase 90 Phaser Effects Pedals
2
MXR M101 Phase 90
MXR M101 Phase 90 Phaser Effects Pedals
1
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen)
DigiTech WH-4 Whammy (4th Gen) Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1
Marshall Valvestate 8100
Marshall Valvestate 8100 Guitar Amplifier Heads
1
Marshall The Guv'nor
Marshall The Guv'nor Distortion Effects Pedals
1

Community setups

Show yours
giles_hill

giles_hill

Gear IQ 212

More MXR Noise Gate Effects Pedals

Accessories & Related Items

Similar

Gear Guides