Abstract: An audio noise gate having a main audio circuit having a filter with a control terminal for determining frequency response and having at least two different roll-off frequencies including one that rolls-off high end content audio signals and one that passes high end content audio signals. The main circuit is controlled from two secondary circuits one including a high pass filter for determining high frequency content of the audio signal and the other comprising a signal detection circuit including a peak detector for determining absence or presence of a note. The signal detection circuit operates in combination with the high pass filter circuit to provide for automatic adjustment of the noise gate to control the release time, quickly for short notes and slowly for held notes. The output of the high pass filter circuit also includes a peak detector and a gain stage for controlling the frequency response of the main circuit.