A noise gate has two basic functions: to manage noise, such as that from a guitar amplifier, or as a creative device. While the principle function of a noise gate is to manage noise, you can apply it to an unmixed signal, which has periods of silence where no noise should be apparent, and use the gate as an extra sound effect. Read on to learn use a noise gate.
Instructions
1. Apply a noise gate to a guitar amplifier, if it is likely to be noisy. While the guitarist is playing, the sound of the guitar will drown out any noise the amplifier makes, and there is no noise problem. However, when the musician is not playing the hum of the amplifier will become apparent and annoying. The noise gate will detect when the signal level is high, that is when the guitarist is playing, and will open fully allowing the signal to sound unimpeded, however it will close when the guitarist stops playing to eliminate "Hum."
2. Place a noise gate on a drum kit. Generally, a drum kit is recorded or amplified using a separate microphone on each drum, but when the microphones are so close together they tend to blend the sounds of the entire kit rather than focusing on its specific instrument. In this case, you can apply a noise gate to focus the sound each microphone picks up.
3. Utilize the same technique as you apply to a drum kit to record or amplify an entire live band, again clarifying the musician or instrument on each microphone. In this case, it is best to set the gate so that it doesn't close completely, but so it only closes to about 10 decibels. This will insure a full and natural sound while at the same time clarifying each musician.
4. Use the external key of a noise gate to chop up noise or distortion into a rhythm to create a unique sound effect. Connect the instrument to the gate through a distortion unit and connect a drum machine to the external input key. Switch the gate to "External Key" and set the threshold to trigger the gate on the external key signal. Adjust the "Attack," "Hold," and "Release" controls until you find the desired sound envelope.
5. Gate reverb, for an interesting sound effect by connecting any microphone to the mixing console normally. Send some of the reverb signal to the auxiliary send and bring the output reverb to a console channel. Connect the noise gate to the insert points of the reverbs send and return channels. Then connect the microphone's send to the external input key of the noise gate and set the "Hold" and "Release" keys so that the reverb extends and then suddenly ends.
