A noise gate is an audio effect. Some consider it an expander for its slope of -∞. This feature can mute the signal that falls below the selected threshold. This noise effect gates out the noise by setting the threshold just above the level of the background noise. As a result, the gate opens only when the desired signal reaches a level above the threshold. In other words, you employ the noise gate when the level of the signal is above the level of the noise.
Characteristics
A noise gate effect has certain parameters that are in charge of controlling the chosen effect. These parameters are threshold, attack, hold, decay, and range. More advanced devices also have high and low-frequency controls, as well as external sidechain alternatives.
Noise Gate’s Effects
First, the threshold is in charge of determining the level at which the gate will open. The release defines the time the gate takes to change from open to closed. This effect operates in a faded mode. When it is unexpected, the sound cuts off immediately. When it is slower, the signal diminishes smoothly. In second place, the attack effect defines the time the gate takes to change from a closed position into a fully open one. It works in a faded mode, just as the threshold does. Thirdly, the hold effect determines the time the gate will stay completely open after the signal falls below the threshold and after the release phase. It guarantees that the gate will not close during the short pauses in a speech signal. Lastly, you can employ the range effect to set the amount of attenuation applied to a specific signal when the gate is fully closed. This effect guarantees that no signal will pass in this instance.
As mentioned before, more advanced devices have high and low-frequency controls, as well as external sidechain alternatives. The external sidechain is an input—an additional one. In this case, other audio signals trigger the gate.
Some Final Remarks
In addition, there are new effects derivad from the noise gate effect. People call them trance gate or, simply, the gate. In this effect, a preprogrammed pattern controls the noise gate, which then translates into a controlled chopping of the sustained sound.
