Noise Gates vs Noise Reduction - Which is Better?

Noisy recordings can be very frustrating and often I see people reaching for a 'noise gate' plugin to fix this problem. Unfortunately, this doesn't often give the results you want.

In this video, I hope to clear up some confusion about noise gates and noise reduction. It seems many people think that noise gates reduce the noise in recordings but this simply isn't the case. Learn how to reduce and remove noise to improve your recordings with this simple technique :)

The software I am using in this video is called Izotope RX 7, however this is purely to show the waveforms and background noise.

▶My Equipment
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro (I exclusively use Beyerdynamic and recommend the whole DT Pro Range - Made in Germany)

[marsnwalker]

I am not lying but I was suffering with noise when I recorded audio today for the first time and this man just made a tutorial at the perfect time. I cannot tell how thankful I am 🙏🙏

[asidtone]

This made so much sense. I thought I was using my noise gate wrong when really I just need a denoise plugin

[aloekim]

Man, you are truly a king taking care of his people. I can't thank you enough for all of your work in these YouTube channel. Keep it up. Again, I'm truly truly truly grateful. Thanks

[whogotdubs]

Do you have control over your eyebrows or do they just move completely on their own accord

[AlecKinnear]

Wow, an audio guy who actually mikes himself properly and then treats his own voice well before pressing publish. Brilliant – I've just come from two or three REALLY noisy tutorials about how to reduce noise. The explanation of noise gates is incredibly useful. Great for live, not much use in the studio. Thank you Michael.

Uh-oh, clipping an distortion around 4:40.

[irpacynot]

Great, simple video. Toward the end there you seem to indicate that the noise will exist during the recording process, regardless. So, you're saying that noise reduction is something to be processed after recording, or can it be done during the recording process?

[cadbeatz]

Every time I watch ur videos Michael, I'm lost, untill that "aha!" moment apears. Thanks for yet another super helpful video, i really appreciate your help! - I would love to see you doing a beat some time. Would be awesome with a "In The Mix, producing a beat" video. Wish you the best, stay at it buddy! 🙏😁

[junejohnson]

I've also used noise gates occasionally for if I have a sample that's really transient heavy like a drum loop, but either has too much reverb or the wrong kind of reverb baked into the sample. I'll set the threshold just above the reverb tail and give it a pretty gentle release, usually works pretty well at removing or at least shortening reverb.

[Astronomater]

RX is a godsend for wintertime when you have to keep working despite having the heat run in the studio.

[ZlakEdoras]

You noise gated yourself at 5:52 XD
Really helpful video though, never thought noise gate would be useful for live shows :D

[soundmind]

Great explanation of noise gate vs noise reduction. Obviously, you're focusing on music production, where noise gating is used to eliminate mic bleed and feedback. However, the gate is also extremely useful for voice over and podcast when there are long pauses between dialogue, breaths, and other noises. For example, audio books require room tone ceiling at -62 db, which is pretty much dead silence (unless you've got your earphones/buds fully cranked up). Good time for the noise gate to cut out everything until it hears your desired RMS, which you've determined in Audition or another DAW.

[LuchitoCarrera]

Literally JUST thinking about this as I was about to record. Amazing lol

[Xelfiy]

so is there an easier or faster way to do the noise reduction method. i have a lot of tracks id have to do this to each one 1 by 1?

[olijomusic]

You made this video just at the right moment. I just bought a sound card today so that I can use an electret condenser mic I made few years ago. It sounds pretty good but there's a little bit too much noise.

[ltrwnrs]

I like using this vintage reverb and delay, but when nothing is playing there is noise. It's practically infinitely silent, but if you normalize audio that is quiet it can pick up or if you use a spectrum visualizer it shows up. I use a noise gate at the end of those chains, but even after it's still there. Is there a noise gate out there that will mute audio completely not just turn it down a lot?

[mugflub]

Your tutorials really are some of the best. Thanks so much! This really helps.

[MBXNMusic]

how to do a harmonize vocals without recording the new vocal harmony?

[wisdompyt]

How can i do it in logic pro 9?I tried but i failed especially on vocals.I love your videos

[TheBakeMaster]

so in my situation where I'm in a treated room laptop can be super loud, I should use a noise removal tool not a noise gate?

[the_burden]

Broooo your vids are perfect I got a way better Idea of what I need to be doing now
Keep them Coming!!