How to Connect a Noise Gate in Line With a Compressor
Adding a noise gate to the signal chain of your guitar rig or mixing console can help remove unwanted hiss or hum. Using a noise gate in line with a compressor can help restore the dynamic range of your signal, while still keeping things quiet. The best way to configure the two to work together is to place the noise gate after your compressor in the signal chain. This will allow the compressor to hold the gate threshold open while audio signal is present, and it will avoid the gate cutting off the signal during quiet passages.
Instructions
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1
Connect your audio source to the inputs of your compressor using shielded RCA type cables. If your compressor is configured in mono, only use the left output of your audio source.
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2
Connect the left and right outputs of your compressor to the inputs of your noise gate, left side connections only for mono operation.
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3
Adjust your compressor first to the desired setting, and then set the threshold of the noise gate just high enough so that the gate is closed only when there is no audio playing. This will ensure that the gate will open and close correctly and not cut off the beginning or end of any audio.