34 SPX2000—Owner’s Manual
What is a Gate?
A “gate” is a device or circuit that passes or blocks a signal. Gates are provided on the SPX2000’s Reverb (PRE-
SET bank) and Reverb & Gate (CLASSIC bank) effects, and can be used to control the reverberation.
For example you can use a gate to apply reverberation only to signals that exceed a specified level, or to suddenly
cut the decaying “tail” of the reverberation so that the reverberation ends suddenly.
The various gate-related parameters are explained below.
• Threshold Level
This is the signal level at which the gate will open. The
gate will open when the input signal exceeds this level,
and will remain open as long as the signal remains above
this level.
On the SPX2000, this is controlled by parameters such
as GATE LVL, TRG.LVL.
• Attack Time/Release Time (Decay Time)
To prevent sudden “jumps” in the sound when the input signal exceeds or falls below the threshold level, you
can make the gate open or close gradually over a specified length of time. The time from when the gate begins
to open until it opens completely is called the Attack Time, and the time from when it begins to close until it
closes completely is called the Release Time (or Decay Time).
On the SPX2000, the Attack Time is controlled by parameters such as ATTACK, and the Release Time is con-
trolled by parameters such as DECAY, RELEASE.
• Hold Time
This is the time that the gate will remain open after the signal falls below the threshold level.
If the level of the signal changes irregularly, the gate will open and close at short intervals. This will cause the
sound to be alternately interrupted and passed, making it sound unsteady and jumpy.
In such cases, you can adjust the Hold Time so that the gate will remain open for a time even after the signal
falls below the threshold level; this will prevent the gate from opening and closing so frequently. However, be
aware that if you set the Hold Time longer than necessary, the gate will remain open all the time, and will
therefore have no effect on the sound.
On the SPX2000, the Hold Time is controlled by the HOLD parameter.
Release time
(Decay time)
Hold time
Threshold
level
Level
Time
Original sound
Effect sound