Gate before or after Compressor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mentalattica
  • Start date Start date
mentalattica

mentalattica

Just a Home Recorder
Generally when tracking and using a noise gate, should I put it before the compressor or after?

My Chain looks like this now.
(Mic-->Pre-->Compressor-->Interface)

It seems to make sense both ways to me, will anyone chime in?
Thanks in advance.
 
I thought gates went before pre's? I guess not, then after the pre, before compression, if it's after compression then it will probbly never be used because the lower volumes will be rasied, possibly making them all over the gated volume.



-jeffrey
 
thought gates went before pre's?
Click to expand...

are you making a joke? just asking...you have to get the mic signal to line level before you can put a gate, comressor, etc. on the signal.
 
Most compressors nowadays include gates and limiters. The gate is always first, then compression, then the limiter.
 
orson198305 said:
Most compressors nowadays include gates and limiters. The gate is always first, then compression, then the limiter.
Click to expand...
None of mine do. You are correct about the sequence though.
 
I think Edward Scissorfeet would have been a more challenging role for Depp.
 
Most definitely before, unless you're trying to some gate/effect type deal where you're trying to make it do something funky. If you're doing traditional gating, definitely before the compressor. It will be much harder to gate well if you squeeze your dynamic range before the gate.
 
I don't record through a compressor unless it's absolutely part of the character of the sound (never to get a "hotter" level, as that's generally not a good idea anyway).

But recording through a gate?!?

Never in a million years. Well, once - about a decade ago. But never again to be sure. Certainly not in digital.
 
Massive Master said:
I don't record through a compressor unless it's absolutely part of the character of the sound (never to get a "hotter" level, as that's generally not a good idea anyway).

But recording through a gate?!?

Never in a million years. Well, once - about a decade ago. But never again to be sure. Certainly not in digital.
Click to expand...

Don't you gate drum mics, to lower the chance of bleed?
 
Massive Master said:
I don't record through a compressor unless it's absolutely part of the character of the sound (never to get a "hotter" level, as that's generally not a good idea anyway).

But recording through a gate?!?

Never in a million years. Well, once - about a decade ago. But never again to be sure. Certainly not in digital.
Click to expand...

Hello Massive,
I like to use my compressors to color my sound, it's definetly used as an effect rather than a dynamic processor so to speak. As far as the gate, I'm going to be recording a few live instruments soon with less than experienced musicians (children) and believe it will be neccessary.
 
Gating before you record is just a bad idea. If the gate misses a hit, it's gone. If you're recording inexperienced musicians, I wouldn't track with gates for that exact reason, and I'm having trouble thinking of anyway that could help. Best thing to do is to spend some extra time with mic placement, eliminating bleed or using it to your advantage.
 
I personally almost always track 100% dry, including compression. Obviously lots of folks use compression for color. I would rather have the chance to go back and tweak than ruin a track by pumping etc. Since most of my compressors are ITB, I can always print through on one track and record dry on another. My only outboard compressor right now is an RNC

Concerning gating, I definitely would apply it post-record. If you are recording to DAW, simply edit out what you don't want instead of gating. I'm always editing around tom hits to prevent OH bleed etc.

Jeff
 
bleed is inevitable....deal with it as best you can...besides mixing drums is black magic anyways... :D

gating oftentimes sounds unnatural unless you get the a/h/r settings just perfect, and even then there's no gaurantee that some hits won't be cut off at the end...
 
BadAE said:
Don't you gate drum mics, to lower the chance of bleed?
Click to expand...
God, no. For the reasons already discussed - If the gate doesn't open on an otherwise "perfect" take, you've just ruined it.

You can *always* go in after the fact and gate everything you want. You can gate it, compress it, limit it, just plain cut it out, whatever you want - providing that the entire thing is there...

Bleed that sounds good is "Ambience" - Ambience that doesn't sound good is "Bleed" - If you get everything to work well together, you don't have to gate it all anyway. I haven't gated a kit since the 80's.
 
Massive Master said:
God, no. For the reasons already discussed - If the gate doesn't open on an otherwise "perfect" take, you've just ruined it.

You can *always* go in after the fact and gate everything you want. You can gate it, compress it, limit it, just plain cut it out, whatever you want - providing that the entire thing is there...

Bleed that sounds good is "Ambience" - Ambience that doesn't sound good is "Bleed" - If you get everything to work well together, you don't have to gate it all anyway. I haven't gated a kit since the 80's.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info., I am more of a live soundman.
 
Massive Master said:
But recording through a gate?!? Never in a million years. Well, once - about a decade ago. But never again to be sure. Certainly not in digital.
Click to expand...

Ditto. There's little/no need for gating if you're mic'ing carefully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top