The Pigtronix Gatekeeper Micro is a compact noise gate pedal: it mutes your signal when you stop playing, cutting the hum and hiss that high-gain pedals and single-coil pickups can leave behind. Pigtronix announced it in February 2020 as one of three mini pedals, alongside the Octava Micro and Class A Boost, with a list price of $991. Guitar World's noise gate buying guide calls it "a compact noise gate ideal for busy 'boards" and picked it as their best compact option2.
Controls
The Micro keeps gating down to two knobs1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Determines how much signal is needed for the gate to open2 |
| Release | Controls how quickly the gate closes after the signal stops2 |
MusicRadar described the pedal at launch as promising a "lightning-fast, studio-quality" noise gate with threshold and release time knobs1.
Circuit and design
The Micro is the small version of the full-size Pigtronix Gatekeeper, built around the same J-FET circuit3. Guitar World characterizes its approach as old-school analog gating2. One practical touch: the mute LED lights up when the gate kicks in, "just in case you can't hear when it's doing its job," as Gearnews put it3.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's reviewer found the Gatekeeper Micro just as effective as any other simple gate, though expensive given how simple it is. On the build side, they judged it well put together and durable enough for gigging, with the caveat that the knobs are quite small and require a gentle touch2.
"the Gatekeeper Micro is just as effective as any other simple gate, although it is expensive given how simple it is."
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Questions
Is the Pigtronix Gatekeeper Micro true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's noise gate buying guide lists the bypass type as true, so the pedal passes your guitar's signal straight through when it is switched off, with no buffering in the way.
Is the Gatekeeper Micro analog?
Yes. Guitar World describes the Gatekeeper Micro as old-school analogue gating. The circuit is based on the J-FET design of Pigtronix's full-size Gatekeeper, shrunk into a mini pedal format.
What does the mute LED show?
The mute LED lights up when the gate kicks in. Gearnews notes this is handy in case you cannot hear exactly when the gate is doing its job, giving you a visual cue that the pedal is cutting the signal.
How does the Gatekeeper Micro differ from the full-size Gatekeeper?
The Micro is a smaller version of the full-size Gatekeeper, built around the same J-FET circuit. It keeps the two essential controls, threshold and release time, in a compact enclosure suited to crowded pedalboards.
How much does the Pigtronix Gatekeeper Micro cost?
MusicRadar listed the Gatekeeper Micro at $99 when Pigtronix announced it alongside the Octava Micro and Class A Boost Micro in February 2020, and reported it as available at that time.
Sources (3)
- Pigtronix unveils 3 new mini guitar effects pedals, MusicRadar, 2017-11-27
- Best noise gate pedals 2026: clean up your signal, Guitar World, 2021-03-19
- Pigtronix Micro Editions: Three little piggie pedals in time for Christmas, gearnews.com, 2017-12-04
