Electro-Harmonix SilencerFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment70%
PROS 70%
CONS 30%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable alternative to the Boss NS-2 or pricier gates
  • You mainly need to tame single-coil hum or moderately noisy dirt pedals
  • You're willing to learn the effects-loop/4-cable-method wiring

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You play modern high-gain metal needing instant, hard clamping
  • You want a simple plug-and-play pedal with no setup learning curve
  • You need it to work perfectly with all pedals in its effects loop without signal cancellation issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
Electro-Harmonix Silencer
Affordable priceEffective noise/hum reductionHelpful once properly wiredConfusing setup and wiringGlitchy or inconsistent gatingNot suited for extreme high-gain/metal use
Electro-Harmonix Silencer
Affordable price
Effective noise/hum reduction
Helpful once properly wired
Confusing setup and wiring
Glitchy or inconsistent gating
Not suited for extreme high-gain/metal use

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Wiring and setup confusion is the most common early frustration. Many commenters struggled to understand the send/return versus input/output layout and the 4-cable method, with some considering returning or selling the pedal before finding a tutorial. Swapping return and output, or realizing the effects loop needed to be used differently, resolved issues for several users. Confusion around routing dirt pedals through the loop versus the direct line was a recurring theme across many questions.

Once configured, it effectively kills hum without harming tone. Users report the pedal removes single-coil hum and other noise while preserving sustain and dynamics, with several saying it doesn't color the tone at all even when engaged. It was favorably compared to the Boss NS-2 for effectiveness at removing pickup noise at a lower cost. Some set all knobs around 1 o'clock for a natural-sounding gate with no dynamic loss.

Price and value stand out as a major selling point. Multiple commenters highlighted the roughly $80 price as remarkably low given the build quality and effectiveness, especially compared to alternatives like the ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2 costing far more. Buyers described it as an affordable, satisfying first noise gate for the money, even while acknowledging it isn't a perfect or high-end solution for demanding high-gain scenarios.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?