A versatile gating device for magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and imaging is presented. The device uses electrocardiograph (ECG) and respiration signals as input, applies appropriate signal conditioning, and generates control signals for ECG, respiration, or combined gating studies. In the combined ECG and respiration mode, in conjunction with a proper MR pulse program, one can acquire MR data gated by the ECG signal within a selected window of the respiration cycle, while maintaining a steady level of magnetization saturation during the remainder of the respiration cycle, by gating the radio-frequency excitation with the ECG while inhibiting data acquisition.