How to Adjust OBS Noise Gate Threshold and Release

This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to locate, configure, and fine-tune the Noise Gate filter in OBS Studio. By adjusting the Close Threshold, Open Threshold, and Release Time, you can eliminate distracting background noises—such as keyboard clicks, PC fans, or distant hums—ensuring your microphone only transmits your voice.

Step 1: Add the Noise Gate Filter to Your Microphone

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. In the Audio Mixer dock, locate your microphone source (usually named Mic/Aux).
3. Click the three dots (options icon) next to your microphone source and select Filters.
4. In the Filters window, click the + (plus) icon in the bottom-left corner of the “Audio Filters” section.
5. Select Noise Gate from the list, name it, and click OK.

Step 2: Understand and Adjust the Threshold Settings

The Noise Gate works like a physical gate: it opens to let your voice through and closes to block quiet background noises. You need to configure two specific thresholds:

• Close Threshold (dB): This is the volume level below which the gate will shut, completely muting your microphone.
  • How to adjust: Stop speaking and look at the green bar in your OBS Audio Mixer to see the decibel (dB) level of your ambient background noise. Set the Close Threshold slider slightly above this ambient noise level. For example, if your background noise sits at -50 dB, set the Close Threshold to -45 dB.
• Open Threshold (dB): This is the volume level required to trigger the gate to open, letting sound pass through.
  • How to adjust: Speak into your microphone at a normal volume and note where your voice peaks on the Audio Mixer. Set the Open Threshold slightly below your normal speaking level, but above the Close Threshold. For example, if your voice peaks at -20 dB, set the Open Threshold to -30 dB.

Step 3: Adjust the Release Time (and other time settings)

Below the threshold sliders, you will find three time-based settings measured in milliseconds (ms). Adjusting these ensures your voice does not sound clipped or unnatural.

• Release Time (ms): This determines how long the gate takes to transition from fully open to fully closed after your voice drops below the Close Threshold.
  • How to adjust: If your words feel abruptly cut off at the ends of sentences, your release time is too fast. Increase the Release Time (typically between 150 ms and 300 ms) to allow your voice to naturally fade out before the gate closes. If you hear background noise leaking in for too long after you stop speaking, decrease this value.
• Attack Time (ms): How fast the gate opens when you begin speaking. Keep this fast (around 10 ms to 25 ms) so the beginning of your first words are not cut off.
• Hold Time (ms): How long the gate stays open after your volume drops below the Close Threshold but before the release phase begins. A default of 100 ms to 200 ms prevents the gate from stuttering during short pauses in your natural speech.