sonible smart:gate review
A focused AI gate with ducking, conventional mode, and a $79 perpetual license.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
sonible smart:gate is an audio gate plugin for music producers and audio engineers who need to control a selected source within a broader signal. Its content-aware processing detects targets such as vocals, piano, or kick, then gates according to that source instead of relying only on overall input level. The same plugin can also operate as a conventional gate, making it relevant to producers who want source-aware control alongside standard gating.
The published plan lists one smart:gate license for $79 USD as a one-time purchase, with a 30-day trial and a perpetual license model. Processing includes target-activity and gate visualizations, gating controls, three-band suppression weighting, and a switchable ducking mode. Plugin formats are VST, VST3, AU, and AAX on macOS, plus VST, VST3, and AAX on Windows. Listed DAW support includes Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools 11+, Reaper, Cubase, Nuendo, FL Studio, and StudioOne. Authorization can be machine-based or handled through iLok, and offline mode is supported.
smart:gate fits solo producers and small teams seeking a dedicated tool for isolating or reducing selected content in an audio signal. Its narrow purpose is also its main boundary: the product centers on gating, suppression weighting, visualization, and ducking rather than a wider collection of mixing or production processors. Buyers needing source-aware gating should find the feature set directly aligned with that task, while those seeking a broader plugin suite or mobile workflow should consider alternatives with a wider scope. The 30-day trial offers a defined evaluation period before the one-time purchase.
sonible smart:gate pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Targets vocals, piano, kick, or other selected sources for gating
- Combines AI processing with conventional gating and switchable ducking
- Supports major DAWs on Windows and macOS with offline authorization
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on gating and ducking rather than broad mixing tasks
- No free plan; evaluation relies on the 30-day trial
- Desktop-only deployment excludes mobile workflows
sonible smart:gate fact sheet, pricing and score →
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