diff --git a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
index be23dcfa25..a0c80453e0 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
@@ -371,25 +371,39 @@ void Agent::executeScript() {
     using namespace recording;
     static const FrameType AUDIO_FRAME_TYPE = Frame::registerFrameType(AudioConstants::getAudioFrameName());
     Frame::registerFrameHandler(AUDIO_FRAME_TYPE, [this, &scriptedAvatar](Frame::ConstPointer frame) {
-        const QByteArray& audio = frame->data;
         static quint16 audioSequenceNumber{ 0 };
-        Transform audioTransform;
 
+        QByteArray audio(frame->data);
+
+        if (_isNoiseGateEnabled) {
+            static int numSamples = AudioConstants::NETWORK_FRAME_SAMPLES_PER_CHANNEL;
+            _noiseGate.gateSamples(reinterpret_cast<int16_t*>(audio.data()), numSamples);
+        }
+
+        computeLoudness(&audio, scriptedAvatar);
+
+        // the codec needs a flush frame before sending silent packets, so
+        // do not send one if the gate closed in this block (eventually this can be crossfaded).
+        auto packetType = PacketType::MicrophoneAudioNoEcho;
+        if (scriptedAvatar->getAudioLoudness() == 0.0f && !_noiseGate.closedInLastBlock()) {
+            packetType = PacketType::SilentAudioFrame;
+        }
+
+        Transform audioTransform;
         auto headOrientation = scriptedAvatar->getHeadOrientation();
         audioTransform.setTranslation(scriptedAvatar->getPosition());
         audioTransform.setRotation(headOrientation);
 
-        computeLoudness(&audio, scriptedAvatar);
-
         QByteArray encodedBuffer;
         if (_encoder) {
             _encoder->encode(audio, encodedBuffer);
         } else {
             encodedBuffer = audio;
         }
+
         AbstractAudioInterface::emitAudioPacket(encodedBuffer.data(), encodedBuffer.size(), audioSequenceNumber,
             audioTransform, scriptedAvatar->getPosition(), glm::vec3(0),
-            PacketType::MicrophoneAudioNoEcho, _selectedCodecName);
+            packetType, _selectedCodecName);
     });
 
     auto avatarHashMap = DependencyManager::set<AvatarHashMap>();
@@ -483,6 +497,14 @@ void Agent::setIsListeningToAudioStream(bool isListeningToAudioStream) {
     _isListeningToAudioStream = isListeningToAudioStream;
 }
 
+void Agent::setIsNoiseGateEnabled(bool isNoiseGateEnabled) {
+    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "setIsNoiseGateEnabled", Q_ARG(bool, isNoiseGateEnabled));
+        return;
+    }
+    _isNoiseGateEnabled = isNoiseGateEnabled;
+}
+
 void Agent::setIsAvatar(bool isAvatar) {
     // this must happen on Agent's main thread
     if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
diff --git a/assignment-client/src/Agent.h b/assignment-client/src/Agent.h
index 0ce7b71d5d..620ac8e047 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/Agent.h
+++ b/assignment-client/src/Agent.h
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 #include <plugins/CodecPlugin.h>
 
+#include "AudioNoiseGate.h"
 #include "MixedAudioStream.h"
 #include "avatars/ScriptableAvatar.h"
 
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ class Agent : public ThreadedAssignment {
     Q_PROPERTY(bool isAvatar READ isAvatar WRITE setIsAvatar)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool isPlayingAvatarSound READ isPlayingAvatarSound)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool isListeningToAudioStream READ isListeningToAudioStream WRITE setIsListeningToAudioStream)
+    Q_PROPERTY(bool isNoiseGateEnabled READ isNoiseGateEnabled WRITE setIsNoiseGateEnabled)
     Q_PROPERTY(float lastReceivedAudioLoudness READ getLastReceivedAudioLoudness)
     Q_PROPERTY(QUuid sessionUUID READ getSessionUUID)
 
@@ -52,6 +54,9 @@ public:
     bool isListeningToAudioStream() const { return _isListeningToAudioStream; }
     void setIsListeningToAudioStream(bool isListeningToAudioStream);
 
+    bool isNoiseGateEnabled() const { return _isNoiseGateEnabled; }
+    void setIsNoiseGateEnabled(bool isNoiseGateEnabled);
+
     float getLastReceivedAudioLoudness() const { return _lastReceivedAudioLoudness; }
     QUuid getSessionUUID() const;
 
@@ -106,6 +111,9 @@ private:
     QTimer* _avatarIdentityTimer = nullptr;
     QHash<QUuid, quint16> _outgoingScriptAudioSequenceNumbers;
 
+    AudioNoiseGate _noiseGate;
+    bool _isNoiseGateEnabled { false };
+
     CodecPluginPointer _codec;
     QString _selectedCodecName;
     Encoder* _encoder { nullptr };