Yamaha 02R Gate and Ducking

Dynamics 67
Digital Recording Console 02R User’s Guide
Gate and Ducking
A gate, or noise gate is an audio switch used to mute signals below a set
threshold level. It can be used to suppress background noise and hiss from
valve (tube) amps, effects pedals, and microphones.
Ducking is used to automatically reduce the levels of one signal when the
level of a source signal exceeds a specified threshold. It is used for
voice-over applications where, for example, level of background music is
automatically reduced, allowing an announcer to be heard clearly.
Gate (GAT) and Ducking (DUK) parameters:
Threshold sets the level at which the gate closes, cutting off the signal.
Signals above the threshold level pass through unaffected. Signals at or
below the threshold cause the gate to close.
For ducking, trigger signal levels at and above the threshold level activate
ducking, and the signal level is reduced to a level set by the Range
parameter.
The trigger signal is determined using the KEY IN parameter.
Range controls the level to which the gate closes. It can be used to reduce
the signal level rather than cut it completely. At a setting of –70 dB, the gate
closes completely when the input signal falls below the threshold. At a
setting of –30 dB, the gate only closes so far allowing an attenuated signal
through. At a setting of 0 dB, the gate has no effect. When signals are gated
abruptly, the sudden cut-off can sound odd.
For ducking, a setting of –70 dB causes the signal to be virtually cutoff. At a
setting of –30 dB the signal is ducked by 30 dB. At a setting of 0 dB, the
duck has no effect.
Attack determines how fast the gate opens when the signal exceeds the
threshold level. Slow attack times can be used to remove the initial
transient edge of percussive sounds. Too slow an attack time makes some
signals sound backwards.
Parameter Value
Threshold (dB) –54 to 0 (55 points)
Range (dB) –70 to 0 (71 points)
Attack (ms) 0 to 120 (121 points)
Hold (ms) 0.02 ms to 1.96s *1, 0.02 ms to 2.13 sec *2, 0.03 ms to
2.94 sec *3 (216 points)
*1 These values are obtained when the sampling frequency is 48kHz.
*2 These values are obtained when the sampling frequency is 44.1 kHz.
*3 These values are obtained when the sampling frequency is 32 kHz
Decay (ms) 5ms to 42.3s *1, 6 ms to 46.0 sec*2,
8 ms to 63.4 sec *3 (160 points)
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
+10
+20
-70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 +10 +20
Input Level
Output Level
dB
dB
Threshold = -10dB
Range = -30dB
Range = -70dB
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
+10
+20
-70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 +10 +20
Input Level
Output Level
dB
dB
Range = -30dB
Threshold = -20dB