Pro-Gate
The linuxDSP Pro-Gate combines a noise gate, phase adjustment and general purpose gain stage to create a versatile signal conditioning plugin in LV2 format for linux audio workstations.
Input Stage
The input stage provides up to 40dB of gain, a switchable high-pass filter for removing low frequency noise or rumble and a polarity switch to prevent unwanted phase cancellation in multi-microphone configurations.
Phase Adjustment
In addition to the polarity switch, the Pro-Gate provides an optional phase adjustment control for more precise alignment of multi-microphone inputs.
The phase adjustment stage is similar to an analogue phase alignment box, also adding a subjectively pleasing colouration to the sound compared to simply time shifting the tracks in the DAW.
The Importance of Phase
Correct phase alignment of input sources is absolutely essential to obtaining high quality recordings or mixes. This can often be difficult when using multiple microphones to record the same instrument.
Similarly, when recording an accoustic instrument and accompanying vocal to individual tracks, each may sound fine in isolation but when mixed together, the sound may become thin, resonant, nasal or 'boxy'.
Phase differences due to physical microphone placement can cause sounds common to both to add and cancel in ways which create resonant peaks and troughs in the frequency response.
While it may not be possible or desirable to move microphones to cure the problem, the phase control allows the relative phase of the sources to be adjusted to compensate.
Noise Gate
The noise gate is a form of dynamic range expander, which causes signals below the threshold to be dramatically attenuated while those above it pass through unaffected. This allows the removal of noise, interference or crosstalk from tracks during periods of 'silence'.
Variable Attack and Release settings allow the action of the gate to be delayed such that it doesn't interfere with the natural dynamics of the material.
Technical Specification
| Internal Processing Resolution: | 32Bit Floating Point. |
| Frequency Response (Hz): | 0 to Fs/2 (Bypassed) Where Fs is the sample rate. |
| Input Gain: | 0dB to +40dB |
| Phase Invert: | 0 or 180 degrees. |
| High Pass Filter: | 75Hz. |
| Phase Shifter: | 2 or 4 Stage Allpass, with selectable centre frequencies. |
| Gate Threshold: | 0 to -40dB |
| Attack Time: | 0.1ms to 500ms |
| Release Time: | 10ms to 1000ms |
| Expansion Ratio: | 1:10 |
Download
Visit the download page to download the Pro-Gate, together with the Pro-Dynamics and EQ plugins. The plugins will run in demo mode, allowing free evaluation with your linux distribution / host DAW application, and come with a comprehensive manual and installation instructions.