Using gates with compressors
Using gates with compressors
One of the most important applications of a noise gate is the reduction of noise emphasised by the action of compressors. When any signal is compressed, the highest levels are reduced, but the lowest noise levels remain the same. This effectively decreases the signal to noise ratio. By gating the signal before it enters the compressor (as shown in the following diagram), the noise can be eliminated before it has chance to be exaggerated by the compressor action.
Compressor
(for example, a DN540 Creative Quad Comp)
Mic
Female XLR
connector
DN530 (rear panel)
Channel insert point
Male XLR connector
Output
Return
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Console
Some engineers prefer to connect the gate after the compressor. This reduces any slight noise produced by the compressor itself, but since the dynamic range of the signal is less when it leaves the compressor, setting the correct threshold level may take a little longer. Alternatively, the uncompressed signal may be paralleled to the external sidechain input; this external sidechain can then be used to trigger the gate.
DN530 |
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Operator Manual | 25 |
