{"id":15691,"date":"2023-06-29T14:23:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T18:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/audioapartment.com\/?p=15691"},"modified":"2023-07-04T01:53:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T05:53:26","slug":"what-is-gating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audioapartment.com\/techniques-and-performance\/what-is-gating\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Gating? Unlocking the Secrets of Audio Control"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You’ve got your headphones on, excited to dive into the latest episode of your favorite podcast, and suddenly, you’re bombarded with background noise that sounds like a family of crickets decided to join the party. With the magic of audio gating<\/strong>, we can show those noisy critters the exit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we’re going to cover everything from the basic concept of noise gates to why they’re crucial for maintaining top-notch audio quality. Along the way, you’ll learn how to set up your own noise gate and discover the key parameters to adjust. By the end of this post, you’ll understand the ins and outs of this essential technique in audio production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is gating?<\/strong> Audio gating, also known as noise gating, is a technique used in sound recording and production to control an audio signal’s volume. This is particularly useful for eliminating unwanted noise or background sound in a recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is gating?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Audio gating, or the use of a noise gate, is a technique used in sound recording and production.<\/strong> It works on the principle of allowing sounds at or above a certain threshold level to be heard, while muting sounds that fall below this threshold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This helps to eliminate background noise<\/a> or any unwanted sound in a recording. When the volume of the audio signal<\/a> is above the threshold, the gate is ‘open’ and the audio passes through. When the volume falls below the threshold, the gate ‘closes’, silencing the audio. This is especially useful in live sound <\/a>and studio recording<\/a> settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gating involves using a dynamic threshold as an on\/off trigger, where signals below the threshold are suppressed (gate closed), and signals above the threshold are allowed to pass through (gate open). Audio gating can be used to reduce noise, drum bleed, and shape transients in a mix<\/strong>, making the audio sound more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A noise gate is a type of audio gating that can be implemented using software or an electronic device to control the volume and intensity of an audio signal. It functions by setting the gain to zero for everything below a certain decibel level, preventing background sounds from getting through to the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does audio gating work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think of a noise gate as a virtual “bouncer” for your sound signal. It decides what gets through and what doesn’t base on the volume or ‘loudness’ of the audio. So here’s how it works, broken down into simple terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, you’ve got to set a ‘threshold’. <\/strong>This is a volume level that a sound must exceed to be heard in your mix. Any sound that’s louder than the threshold will pass through the gate and be heard. The quieter sounds that don’t meet the threshold? They’ll be silenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beauty of the gate is in its operation. When your drum hit, guitar riff, or vocal phrase comes in and the volume exceeds the threshold, the gate ‘opens’. That’s when your sound is allowed to pass through. But as soon as the volume drops back below the threshold, the gate ‘closes’ and silences the audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, you don’t want the gate to act too suddenly, right? So we have ‘attack’, ‘hold’, and ‘release’<\/strong> parameters to fine-tune the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image of a noise gate. Source: wiki commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why is audio gating important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a music producer, you’re always looking to capture the cleanest possible recordings. That’s where audio gating comes into play. When you’re capturing a specific sound, let’s say a singer’s voice, you want to make sure that the microphone <\/a>mainly picks up the intended source and not all the other surrounding noises. We don’t want the stage sounds, floor monitors, or echoes to overpower the primary sound we want to capture.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With audio gating, we set a threshold, a volume level that acts as the gatekeeper. When the sound surpasses that threshold, the gate opens, allowing the signal to pass through. But when the sound falls below the threshold, the gate closes, effectively blocking out those lower-level stage noises or unwanted external sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do producers and engineers use a gate? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gates are valuable tools for producers and engineers<\/strong>, allowing them to manipulate audio signals in a way that improves the quality, clarity, and impact of their recordings and mixes. Here are some ways audio gating is used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Noise reduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gates help reduce unwanted background noise<\/a> by automatically muting or attenuating signals below a certain threshold. This ensures that only the intended audio is audible, improving the overall sound quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Drum bleed control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In multi-microphone recording setups, gates can be used to minimize the sound of other drums or instruments bleeding into the microphone intended for a specific drum or instrument. This helps to achieve cleaner and more isolated recordings of individual elements in a mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Transient shaping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gates can be employed to shape the transient response of an audio signal, which can enhance the perceived impact or punch of percussive elements in a mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Improved clarity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By gating out low-level noise and unwanted signals, the overall clarity and focus of the mix can be enhanced, making it easier to work with during the mixing and mastering process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the essential gating parameters?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we know where to find the gating controls, let’s dive into the essential parameters that shape the gating effect. These parameters determine how the gate opens and closes, affecting the sound in unique ways. Here are the key gating parameters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A graph of audio gating parameters wiki commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n