Setting up noise gates can be tedious and unrewarding. The solution to this problem is the inclusion of two variable filters on the DS201, one high-pass and one low-pass, which act upon the side-chain keying circuitry. By setting the output switch to key listen the user can hear the action of the filters and adjust them to reject high frequency spillage from the hi-hats. This now enables the gate to only open on the lower frequencies present in the snare drum.

The very fast attack of the DS201 means that it can open in a matter of micro seconds, thus preserving the natural attack of whatever sound is being gated and the comprehensive envelope controls mean that the gain can be changed at whatever rate best suits the material being processed. With vocals for example, a fairly fast attack is needed so as not to clip the leading consonants but a slower release time will prevent the end of words being clipped off and will also fade out any noise gradually rather than cutting it off abruptly. This latter point is very important as the human ear is far more sensitive to rapidly changing noise levels than to a constant low level noise.

The unit can be switched to accept a key input, which allows the gate to be triggered externally. An example of this would be to use a snare drum signal to open the gate on a separate ambient microphone to create a natural alternative to gated reverb.

Each channel can be individually switched from Gating to Ducking for 'voice over' applications or the removal of 'clicks' and 'pops'.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Input Impedance: 20K Ohms
• Maximum Input Level: +17dB
• Output Impedance: 50 Ohms (bal) 100 Ohms (unbal)
• Maximum Output Level: +17dB
• Bandwidth: 23Hz to 31KHz -1dB
• Distortion (@ 0dB input): 100Hz < 0.025%, 1KHz < 0.025%, 10KHz <0.025%

Back to top