Klark Teknik square one dynamics - Using Gates with Compressors

Gate
Square ONE Dynamics 31
Using gates with compressors
One of the most important applications of a noise gate is the reduction of noise emphasised by the action of
compressors. When any signal is compressed the highest levels are reduced, but the lowest noise levels
remain the same. This effectively decreases the signal to noise ratio.
By gating the signal before it enters the compressor, the noise can be eliminated before it has chance to be
exaggerated by the compressor action.
Some engineers prefer to connect the gate after the compressor. This reduces any slight noise produced by
the compressor itself, but since the dynamic range of the signal is less when it leaves the compressor, setting
the correct threshold level may take a little longer. Alternatively, the uncompressed signal may be parallelled
to the external side chain input and this external key used to trigger the gate.
Figure 18: The use of gating with compressors
OUTPUT OUTPUT OUTPUT OUTPUT
INPUT INPUT INPUT INPUT
EXT KEY EXT KEY EXT KEY EXT KEY
PUSHPUSHPUSHPUSH
Mic input
Channel insert point
Console
Male XLR
Female XLR
Input
Patch cable
Male XLR
Female XLR
Send Return
Output
Two channels
on rear of unit