Noise Gate - Signaling Threshold
NOISE GATE is an easy-to-use noise gate VST Plugin - simple audio noise reduction ("c cancellation") beyond the ordinary limits of audio mixing - useful for music recording or mixing where a high volume level is desired. Noise gate can be used to "stretch out" high sounds that are not important enough to warrant separate processing time. For instance, it is sometimes used in conjunction with a compressor or limiter to remove excessive kick drum sound. Noise gate plug-ins are also useful in recording long audio pieces to make them appear shorter. They also have a special characteristic of being able to generate limiting automation.
Noise gates use complex mathematical algorithms to determine the threshold signal, which is basically a measure of maximum distortion of any signal. The threshold can be set to a maximum value, which will stop the signal from clipping altogether after a certain "time" period. This feature has the advantage of allowing the user to vary the level of distortion, making noise gate's a very versatile piece of equipment. They are generally designed with a one or two touch easy-click operation and a programmable "stack limit". Stack limit is another innovative feature of noise gates - it allows the user to easily adjust the volume level beyond the threshold limit, thereby making it suitable for signal clipping prevention.
The noise gating effect can be achieved in different ways, depending on your needs: using an envelope follower with a ratio of approximately 1:1 or multiplying the amplitude with the threshold value. Using a high ratio will cause the signal to become more "excited" and therefore louder. A high threshold will make the signal harder to hear above all other noise. A useful addition to any audio recording studio is a noise gate unit along with all the appropriate cables.
