Gate Component

The Gate Component (short for Noise Gate) is used to either pass or attenuate audio signals based on the RMS level of the input signal. If the signal is above the specified Threshold, the signal is passed un-attenuated. If the signal is below the Threshold, it is attenuated by the amount specified by the Depth control.

The Gate component controls its output based on the input level. If the input is lower than the Threshold level, it is attenuated. If the input is above the Threshold Level, it is amplified. You can use the Gate to prevent open microphones and other types of inputs, from introducing unwanted sounds into your system.

The Gate Component can be Mono, Stereo, or Multi-channel. The Multi-channel mode can have from 2 to 256 input/output channels. The Gate has an optional Side Chain Input for each input channel. The Side Chain Input provides a secondary input to the RMS Detector allowing the Side Chain to be used to trigger the Gate to open or close. The main Input is then attenuated or un-attenuated based on the Side Chain Input signal.

Controls

General

Control	Function	Default / Range
In Gain (dB)	Sets the Gain of the input. This is added to the level of the input source.	Default = 0 Range = -20 to 20
Detector (dB)	Measures the level of either the main Input, or the Side Chain Input to determine when the Gate opens or closes. The range of the graphic display is -60 to 20 dB, the text readout is the sum of the Input level plus the In Gain control.	Range = -60 to 20
Response Panel	The Response panel provides points at the Threshold Level and Depth that give current readings when the mouse passes over them.	X axis -60 to 20 Y axis -60 to 20
Bypass	Bypasses the Gate - forces the Gate open regardless of the Input level.	Off/On

Gain Calculations

Control	Function	Default / Range
Threshold Level	Sets the level at which the Gate opens based on either the main Input level or the Side Chain level. The Threshold level is on the X axis of the graph.	Default = -20 Range = -60 to 20
Depth (dB)	Sets how much attenuation (Applied Gain) is applied to the inputs when they are below the Threshold Level. This is a negative amount added to the Detector Level. The Depth is on the Y axis of the graph.	Default = 20 Range = 0 to 60

Control

Function

Default / Range

Threshold Level

Sets the level at which the Gate opens based on either the main Input level or the Side Chain level. The Threshold level is on the X axis of the graph.

Default = -20

Range = -60 to 20

Depth

(dB)

Sets how much attenuation (Applied Gain) is applied to the inputs when they are below the Threshold Level. This is a negative amount added to the Detector Level. The Depth is on the Y axis of the graph.

Default = 20

Range = 0 to 60

Time Constants

The time constant is the time it takes to cover 63% of the control change. For Attack, the start gain is 1.0 (unity) and the end gain is 0. After 10 seconds, the value is at 1-0.63 = 0.37, which corresponds to -8.7 dB. For Release, the start gain is 0 and the end gain is 1.0 (unity). After 10 seconds, the value is at 0.63 which corresponds to -4 dB. Depth is ignored in this calculation, it simply limits the filtered gain to a minimum.

Control	Function	Default / Range
Attack Time (seconds)	The Attack Time adjusts the time it takes for the output amplitude to rise to equal 63% of the input amplitude once the Threshold Level is exceeded. This does not affect the decay of the signal.	Default = 0.02 Range = 0.0001 to 0.1
Hold Time (seconds)	The Hold Time determines the minimum time the Gate stays open once it is opened, or the length of time the Gate stays open after the RMS input level drops below the Threshold Level. This is to prevent the gate from opening and closing due to momentary pauses in the input.	Default = 1 Range = 0 to 10
Release Time (seconds)	The Release Time adjusts the time it takes for the output to fall to 63% of the level set by the Depth control, after the Detector level drops below the Threshold Level and the Hold Time is expired.	Default = 0.1 Range = 0.01 to 10
Detector Time (seconds)	Available only when the Detector Time Property is set to Use Control. The Detector Time adjusts the time constant which determines the rate of change of the Detector level in response to changes in the input signal. This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.	Default = 0.02 Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Control

Function

Default / Range

Attack Time

(seconds)

The Attack Time adjusts the time it takes for the output amplitude to rise to equal 63% of the input amplitude once the Threshold Level is exceeded. This does not affect the decay of the signal.

Default = 0.02

Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Hold Time

(seconds)

The Hold Time determines the minimum time the Gate stays open once it is opened, or the length of time the Gate stays open after the RMS input level drops below the Threshold Level. This is to prevent the gate from opening and closing due to momentary pauses in the input.

Default = 1

Range = 0 to 10

Release Time

(seconds)

The Release Time adjusts the time it takes for the output to fall to 63% of the level set by the Depth control, after the Detector level drops below the Threshold Level and the Hold Time is expired.

Default = 0.1

Range = 0.01 to 10

Detector Time

(seconds)

Available only when the Detector Time Property is set to Use Control.

The Detector Time adjusts the time constant which determines the rate of change of the Detector level in response to changes in the input signal.
This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.

Default = 0.02

Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Gain

Control	Function	Default / Range
Open	The green LED Open indicator lights when the Detector level exceeds the Threshold and the Gate is open.	Off/On
Applied Gain (-dB)	The Applied Gain meter is a representation of the amount of attenuation ( Depth) applied to the input channel.	0 to -40
Gain (dB)	Adjusts the output level of the Gate.	-20 to 20

Control

Function

Default / Range

Open

The green LED Open indicator lights when the Detector level exceeds the Threshold and the Gate is open.

Off/On

Applied Gain

(-dB)

The Applied Gain meter is a representation of the amount of attenuation ( Depth) applied to the input channel.

0 to -40

Gain

(dB)

Adjusts the output level of the Gate.

-20 to 20

Properties

General

Property	Function	Choices
Side Chain Input	For each standard input, an additional input is provided for alternate control of the Gate. When Side Chain is set to yes, the standard inputs have no control over the opening and closing of the gate. In Gain is always applied to the Side Chain input signal, regardless of the state of Bypass.	Yes / No
Detector Time	Sets one of three pre-set Detector Times, or the Detector Time control in the Control Panel. The Detector Time adjusts the time constant which determines the rate of change of the Detector level in response to changes in the input signal. This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.	Use Control 10ms 20ms 50ms
Bypass Gain Meter	When set to Active, the Applied Gain meter is active regardless of the state of the Bypass button. This means you can adjust the Gate in Bypass mode. When set to Inactive, the Applied Gain meter is inactive to indicate that the component is in Bypass mode.	Active Inactive

Property

Function

Choices

Side Chain Input

For each standard input, an additional input is provided for alternate control of the Gate. When Side Chain is set to yes, the standard inputs have no control over the opening and closing of the gate.

In Gain is always applied to the Side Chain input signal, regardless of the state of Bypass.

Yes / No

Detector Time

Sets one of three pre-set Detector Times, or the Detector Time control in the Control Panel.

Use Control

10ms

20ms

50ms

Bypass Gain Meter

When set to Active, the Applied Gain meter is active regardless of the state of the Bypass button. This means you can adjust the Gate in Bypass mode.

When set to Inactive, the Applied Gain meter is inactive to indicate that the component is in Bypass mode.

Active

Inactive

Channels

Property	Function	Choices
Type	Sets the type of input and output channels.	Mono Stereo Multi-Channel
Count	For Multi-Channel, sets the number of channels.	2 to 256

Property

Function

Choices

Type

Sets the type of input and output channels.

Mono

Stereo

Multi-Channel

Count

For Multi-Channel, sets the number of channels.

2 to 256

Control Pins

Pin Name	Value	String	Position	Pins Available
Applied Gain	0 to -40	0 dB to -40 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Output
Attack Time	0.0001 to 100	.100 ms to 100 ms	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Bypass	0 1	active bypass	0 1	Input / Output
Depth	0 to 60	0 dB to 60 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Detector Level	-60 to 20	-60 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Output
Detector Time	0.0001 to 100	.100 ms to 100 ms	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Hold Time	0.010 to 10	10.0 ms to 10 s	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Input Gain	-20 to 20	-20 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Open	0 1	false true	0 1	Output
Output Gain	-20 to 20	-20 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Release Time	0.010 to 10	10.0 ms to 10 s	0.00 to 1.00	Input / Output
Threshold Level	-60 to 20	-60 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output