A usable noise gate

jamos · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 11:38 am Post subject: A usable noise gate

I'm working with a patch that is kinda noisy due to its use of stereo delays. I though I'd add a pair of noise gates to it to cut the noise when no sound is playing, but that won't work, becasue the minimum threshold on teh noise gates is so damn high (-42 dB).

Clavia, how about a noise gate with a lower minimum threshold?

mosc · Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:31 pm Post subject:

I've noticed the same thing. Never bothered to mention it on the forum though. Good point.

davep · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

I bet you could make a DIY noise gate with a lower threshold. Maybe run the audio through an Envelope Follower to create a control signal that follows the audio level, then connect this control signal to a Compare to Level module set to a very low "threshold". This will generate a high logic pulse when the audio is louder than the low threshold. Now use this logic pulse to control a pair of stereo VCAs, keeping them open only when the audio is above the threshold.

You may need to process the logic pulse a bit to avoid snapping & popping noises. Try running it through a lag processor (portamento) or better yet a second Envelope Follower, which will give you independent control of gate open & close rates.