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An introduction to Black Salt Audio Silencer, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
Kill the bleed. Keep the tone.
— Black Salt Audio official site
What is Silencer?
Silencer is a drum gate and de-bleed plugin from Black Salt Audio. It aims to reduce the high-frequency bleed, such as cymbals, that enters snare and tom mics on live drum recordings.
Traditional gates mainly work by lowering the level when closed. The maker explains that Silencer has a de-bleed circuit that cuts the high-frequency bleed while aiming to leave the drums' attack and body intact.
It has dedicated modes for Snare Top, Snare Bottom, Kick and Toms, tuned to avoid false triggering from other parts of the kit. True lookahead is designed to let wanted transients through undamaged.
The interface is kept simple, with a waveform visualizer to help set the threshold. It supports VST3, AU and AAX on Windows 10 or later and macOS 10.15 or later.
Four dedicated modes
Snare Top, Snare Bottom, Kick and Toms modes each tune detection and processing to the instrument.
Hits versus bleed
The maker says it tries to tell real hits from bleed so shells can be separated from cymbals.
De-bleed knob
A knob sets the amount of high-frequency de-bleeding, described by the maker as the magic knob.
Threshold and visualizer
An easy-to-read threshold control works together with the waveform visualizer so you can see what you are setting.
Range, release and ghost notes
Controls set the attenuation when closed, the sustain length, and a button that lets ghost notes through, which can be automated.
True lookahead
Lookahead is described as letting wanted transients through undamaged.
Side-chain mode
A side-chain mode lets another bus trigger the gate while keeping Silencer's de-bleeding.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Silencer alone USD 59 (perpetual, 3 activations); Artist Pass USD 12/month or USD 99/year |
| Formats | AAX, AU, VST3 (64-bit) |
| Windows | Windows 10 or later |
| Mac | macOS 10.15 or later |
| Disk space | 200 MB |
| DAWs | Ableton Live 11+, Bitwig 4+, Cakewalk, Cubase 13+, Digital Performer 11+, FL Studio 23+, GarageBand 10+, Logic Pro 10+, Pro Tools 12+, Studio One 5+, Reaper 6+ |
| Trial | 14 days |
What is included and system requirements
- Silencer only: perpetual licence, 3 activations, free updates and support
- Artist Pass: Silencer plus 17 other plugins (18 in total), future releases and bonus courses and samples
- Formats: AAX, AU, VST3
- 14-day free trial
How to use it
- Try the demo or choose a purchase option on the official site.
- Download and run the installer, then scan plugins in your DAW.
- Insert Silencer on the drum track (snare, kick or tom).
- Choose the matching mode: Snare Top, Snare Bottom, Kick or Toms.
- Set the threshold while watching the waveform visualizer.
- Adjust the amount of high-frequency bleed removal with the De-bleed knob.
- Fine-tune attenuation and sustain with Range and Release.
- Use the ghost-note button where you want soft hits to pass.
Home drum recording
It may be worth trying when cymbals bleed into the snare mic.
Mixing live drums
Tidying snare top and bottom and toms may make heavier EQ or compression easier.
Side-chain use
The gate can also be triggered from another bus.
Who it may suit
- People recording live drums who struggle with cymbal bleed
- Those who want fewer gate parameters to tweak
- Mixers who want live drum tracks to feel tidier
Good to know before you buy
- It is designed for drums; the maker does not describe it for other instruments.
- Artist Pass is a subscription at USD 12/month or USD 99/year; check the terms for what happens on cancellation.
- The single licence allows 3 activations.
- Requires Windows 10 or later or macOS 10.15 or later.
Price
$59 (Black Salt Audio official site, checked 2026-10-27). Prices can vary by region and promotion, so check the official page before buying.
The Artist Pass gives access to all 18 plugins for USD 12/month or USD 99/year.
See Silencer on the product page
Sources: blacksaltaudio.com (checked 2026-10-27)
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