gate?

[MemoGtr]

hey, whats a gate for?

[longsoughtfor]

A gate effectively shuts off a signal in an audio signal chain. A simple gate has an adjustment for threshold, whenever the input is above the threshold, it passes through with no trouble (think of an open fence gate). As soon as the signal goes below the threshold, the gate stops the signal from going to the output (the fence gate closes).

One example of where you might use one is on a drum tom mic. When the drummer is not hitting that tom, you don't want any signal from the mic going to tape. Connected through a gate, you can set it so that the signal only passes when the tom is hit.

More complicated gates have attack and release times similar to a compressor. Some have an input EQ so you can tune it to specific frequencies.

Cheers
Kevin.

[MemoGtr]

hey thanks
1 more question.
i've got 2 mixers and mics
what should i get first?
monitors
compressor
limiter
gate
fx

????

[scottboyher]

You are going to need monitors to hear what you are recording..

[MemoGtr]

cant i use the computer speakers or headphones for a while?

[HyperSpace]

Lemme help you out a bit. I know exactly the info you want - people who know alot more kind take things for granted, making the answers less helpfull to newer people.

Here is the basic anatomy of a studio. In order of signal path

1. Mics (for vocals, drums, or micing guitar amps)
2. mic pre amps
3. Mixing board
4. Processing equipment (main parts are compressor+gate, EQ, limiter, pre amps)
5. computer for recording and editing (also some fx if you want)
6. listening device (monitors or headphones)

That's the basics. The sound could also go into the mixing board, back out to processing and back into the mixer if your mixer is your recorder.

Obvious you need mics, mixing board, recorder, and listening the MOST

After that I would go with a main pre amp before the mic preamps. after main pre amp go with perhaps a multi fx that has compression limiting and gate and EQ all in one)

Then i would go for the mic pre amp since it's important although it may not sound like it.

That's the BASICS of a studio.

[MemoGtr]

hey thank you dude
im recording with my computer
im low in budget, so i save like 200 oe 300 dlls at a time.

[DJTonyMOMO]

Thanks for the good explanation LongSought