Gate

The Gate effect passes sound only to its output if the input sound exceeds the set threshold. Sounds below the threshold are silenced.

An internal side-chain filter allows you to analyze a filtered version of the input sound instead. This way, the gate detects only certain frequencies of the input sound.

Threshold

Determines the level that activates the gate. Signal levels above the set threshold trigger the gate to open, and signal levels below the set threshold close the gate.

Filter

Activates the internal side-chain filter. If this button is activated, the input sound is filtered before it is analyzed. The gate opens only if the filtered sound exceeds the set threshold. When the Filter button is deactivated, the filter controls are not available.

Filter Type

Sets the filter type for the side-chain filter. Select high-pass (HP) to detect high frequencies, band-pass (BP) to detect mid frequencies, and low-pass (LP) to detect low frequencies only.

Monitor

Allows you to listen to the sound of the side-chain filter. The gate is inactive when the Monitor button is activated.

Center

Sets the center frequency of the side-chain filter.

Q-Factor

Adjusts the bandwidth of the filter from wide to narrow.

Attack

Determines how fast the gate opens when the sound exceeds the set threshold. The longer the attack time, the longer it takes for the sound to fade in.

Hold

Sets the time period during which the gate is applied after the sound falls below the set threshold.

Release

Determines how fast the gate closes after the sound falls below the set threshold. The longer the release time, the longer it takes for the sound to fade out.

Note

This parameter is not available when the Auto button is activated.

Auto

Sets the release time automatically. The gate continuously analyzes the input sound to find the optimal setting.

Peak/RMS

Determines whether the input signal is analyzed based on Peak or RMS values or a mixture of both. With a setting of 0%, the gate uses Peak sensing only, and at 100%, RMS sensing only. Peak means that the gate senses the peak level of the sound. RMS means that the gate senses the average power of the sound. Peak sensing responds faster than RMS sensing. Typically, Peak sensing is used for transient sounds and RMS sensing for sustained sounds.