Chapter 6: Gate Control Functions
The advantage of generating the effect in this way is that it is much more straightforward to set up and has the added benefit that the attack control operates to change the sonic character of the accent as well as the gate. This allows a more precise tailoring of the sound produced — changing from tight and snappy to more of a low-end thud as you increase the attack time.
Another important feature of the transient accent is that it is independent of the range control, so that it is possible to accent things without gating them at all. This means that there is no need to lose any of the original sound, while gaining extra definition and punch.
Intelligent threshold shift (i-TS)
Intelligent threshold shift (i-TS) — or hysteresis — operates in conjunction with the HOLD control knob to reduce chattering within the gate. Chattering is the undesirable condition that occurs when signals — especially low frequency ones — are very close to the gate threshold. In this situation the gate can become indecisive and repeatedly open and shut on the programme. i-TS ensures that the gate remains open by automatically adjusting the threshold downwards as the signal goes over threshold. When the signal actually falls below threshold (that is, the temporarily adjusted threshold) the i-TS resets, ready for the next gate opening. This improved decision-making ensures that gating is rock solid and attacks start instantly and consistently, even on signals that go slightly over threshold.
i-TS is particularly useful for low frequency material and instruments with oscillating or unpredictable decay envelopes.
