Gate/Expander block

User contributions

What's a gate or downward expander

• Wikipedia
• http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/noise_gates_101_what_they_do_how_to_use_them_optimally/
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxLWkU90-xs

Multiple gate possibilities

• Each preset has a noise gate at the input (Layout menu). It uses CPU cycles, so switch it off (turn Threshold to Off) if you have no need for it in a preset.
• The separate Gate/Expander blocks are useful for additional noise control.
• A different approach to keeping the noise low: try a VOL block with the volume parameter tied to the Envelope controller. As long as you don't hit the strings, the (input) signal is off.

Settings and parameters

• The Input Noise Gate on the II works different than on the Standard/Ultra. Adjusting Threshold won't do anything if Ratio isn't adjusted as well.
• Cliff (firmware 10): "I DID change the default attack time. For a guitar gate you typically want the attack time as short as possible and I don't think people realize this so I changed the default value." Source
• Firmware 11:
  • Noise gate settings can be saved as global blocks.
  • Added Level parameter to Noise Gate. This allows sending a lower or higher level into the effects grid which can be used to compensate for guitars with varying output.
• You can use SCSEL (SideChain Select) to select the signal the gate is working with. If the gate is the first block in the routing there's no need to use SCSEL. But if the gate is placed after other blocks in the routing, it can be useful to use SCSEL to set an optimal source signal, such as Input 1. This is similar to the way the ISP Decimator operates. Source1 Source2

More information about the noise gate

• Cliff: "I don't use the gate at all. On the Ultra I would use the gate on high gain patches but I find I don't need it now. I did some measurements and the II is at least 10 dB better SNR." Source