The MXR M135 Smart Gate is an MXR noise gate pedal, currently around $124.78. Close alternatives include the MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp and the Boss RCL-10. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Mark I and the Synergy SL2 Module.
MXR M135 Smart Gate
MXR · pedal
The MXR M135 Smart Gate is a noise-gate pedal eliminating unwanted hum and noise while preserving sustain. Its footswitchable design and adjustable threshold provide flexible noise suppression. The Smart Gate appeals to high-gain players and recording studios seeking clean, transparent gating.
- gate
- transparent
- sustain
- noise
- recording
- preserves tone
- natural
- studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR M135 Smart Gate is commonly used in
- Metal
Amps that pair well with the MXR M135 Smart Gate
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
20% matchMesa Boogie Mark I's mid-forward fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman BE-Mini Head gives it high gain to fill it with
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchRun Egnater Tweaker 88 Head into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Ceriatone 2202H brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Jose LTD gives it high gain to fill it with
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 brings the high gain it's missing
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Bad Cat Lynx 50 gives it high gain to fill it with
Pedals that stack with the MXR M135 Smart Gate
Walrus Audio Eons
Walrus Audio
23% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Walrus Audio Eons gives it low gain to fill it with
Nobels ODR-1
Nobels
22% matchInto a transparent tone, Nobels ODR-1 brings the medium gain it's missing
Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal
pedal
10% matchKeep MXR M135 Smart Gate's transparent voice out front: Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal goes after MXR M135 Smart Gate in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
pedal
9% matchRun Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb after MXR M135 Smart Gate in the signal chain, clear of MXR M135 Smart Gate's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchMXR M135 Smart Gate leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Fender Hammertone Overdrive wants
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and MXR M135 Smart Gate delivers it
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 gives it fuzzy to fill it with
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and MXR M135 Smart Gate delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor
Boss
74% similarityShared character: reduced_noise, pedal, gate
Ibanez PT Gate
Ibanez
69% similarityShared character: noise, gate, noise_gate
Fame LEF-319 Noise Gate
Fame
69% similarityShared character: gate, noise_gate, noise
Artec SE-NGT
Artec
68% similarityShared character: gate, noise_gate, noise
Pigtronix Gate Keeper Micro Noise Gate
Pigtronix
62% similarityShared character: high_gain_players, noise_gate, noise
Similar character
MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp
pedal
68% similarityShared character: noise, gig, transparent
Boss RCL-10
Boss
67% similarityShared character: gate, noise_gate, noise
Wampler Ego Compressor
pedal
67% similarityShared character: noise, transparent, sustain
Catalinbread NiCompressor
Catalinbread
65% similarityShared character: pedal, noise, transparent
Rocktron Hush Noise Gate
pedal
65% similarityShared character: high_gain_players, noise_gate, noise
See all alternatives to the MXR M135 Smart Gate (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR M135 Smart Gate?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR Custom Shop CSP028 Vintage Dyna Comp, the Boss RCL-10, the Wampler Ego Compressor. Budget picks: Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, Ibanez PT Gate, Fame LEF-319 Noise Gate.
What pairs well with the MXR M135 Smart Gate?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie Mark I, Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head — Mesa Boogie Mark I's mid-forward fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own.
How much does the MXR M135 Smart Gate cost?+
Around $124.78 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).