LA Audio GCX20 - Manual (Page 15)

Page 15
5.2 NOISE-GATE APPLICATIONS
The fundamental application of a Noise-Gate is to eliminate unwanted
ambient noise from the recording or PA signal path by closing when the
desired signal drops below a defined level.
However a noise-gate can do far more than this simple task. By carefully
controlling the settings of the Threshold and Release controls a noise-gate
can become a highly creative tool.
Basic set up - reducing background noise
Start with the THRESHOLD set CCW to its most sensitive (-60dB) which
will pass signals of all levels.
Slowly increase the THRESHOLD until only the required signal opens the
gate. Vary the RELEASE until the desired effect is achieved, faster for
percussive instruments and slower for vocals and acoustic instruments or
instruments with desirable sustain.
Tightening percussion sounds
A drum in it's natural form will include a lot of sustain. This is often
undesirable and it is therefore necessary to use a noise gate to tighten up
the sound.
Set the THRESHOLD so that the gate opens only in response to the main
percussive sound of the drum. Set RELEASE to its fastest setting for
maximum punch or slightly slower for a more natural sound.
Improving mic separation
In multitrack recording it is most important to maintain good mic
separation. Microphones in close proximity, handling high energy sounds
such as in the recording of a drum kit, are bound to suffer from overspill
from one mic to another. This can be greatly reduced by the use of the
GCX20 Gate.
The technique for reducing mic leakage is identical to those above for
tightening drum sounds, although the settings of THRESHOLD and
RELEASE for acoustic and vocal mics will vary from the drum kit mic
separation ones.
Feedback avoidance
Feedback can occur in live PA environments when signals from main or
monitor speakers is allowed to enter open microphones. Good engineering
and microphone techniques will reduce the risk of feedback but as an
added precaution mic channels should be passed through the GCX20
Gate, set to close the channel when not in use.
Modifying signal decay
A common technique used to 'dry-up' a sound is to set RELEASE to be
shorter that the natural decay of the gated signal. The sound is now forced
to decay more quickly eliminating reverb and ringing.