Noise gate

Contents
1 Input block
1.1 About the noise gate in the Input block
1.2 CPU usage
1.3 Configuring the noise gate
1.4 EMI filtering
1.5 Types
2 Gate/Expander block
2.1 About the Gate/Expander block
2.2 Types
2.3 Available on which products
2.4 Channels or X/Y switching
3 Parameters
3.1 Parameters table
3.2 Sidechain
3.3 Threshold
3.4 Ratio
3.5 Attack and Release
3.6 Level
3.7 Sidechain Select (Input block only)
3.8 Global menu: Noisegate Offset
3.9 Global menu: AC Line Freq
4 More information about noise gates

Input block
About the noise gate in the Input block
The Input block contains a noise gate. On the Axe-Fx III and FM3 this applies to each Input block.

(Axe-Fx III) "Each input block has a built-in gate." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/a
xe-fx-3-grid.135615/page-2#post-1604978)
CPU usage
The noise gate in the Input block increases CPU usage, so switch it off (turn Threshold OFF) if you have no
need for it.

Configuring the noise gate

At default settings the gate in the Input block already works fine. It there's still some background noise, for
example from a Flanger or high-gain amp, increase Ratio and/or adjust Threshold.

In the Axe-Fx III and FM3, all signal that appears at an Input block is processed by the gate, whether analog,
digital, or USB.

(Axe-Fx III) "The new noise gate in the Input block is killer. I recommend starting with default
settings (reset the block) and then adjust the threshold to obtain the desired results." source (http://f
orum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-version-1-09-public-beta.139264/)

"The input block gate is designed for fast attack." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/ax
e-fx-iii-firmware-release-version-12-00.157866/post-1884268)

(low threshold) "You'll kill a bit of high end with it that high. It may color the midrange a bit too."
source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/noise-reducer-gate-wow.161134/post-1929320)

EMI filtering
The Intelligent and Noise Reducer gate types in the Input blocks in the Axe-Fx III and FM3 include EMI
filtering. This helps suppressing pickup noise.

This requires setting AC LINE FREQUENCY in the Global menu to the correct value for your country:

60 Hz = USA
50 Hz = Europe

(Axe-Fx III) "Improved Input block noise gate. When the Type is set to Intelligent (default) the
noise gate now provides smart EMI filtering which reduces hum and buzz. NOTE: For best results
the AC Line Frequency parameter in the Global Settings menu should be set to match the power
line frequency of your country (i.e. 60 Hz for North America, 50 Hz for EU, etc.)."

(firmware Ares 12.06) "Improved performance of noise gate in Input block. Both the Classic and
Intelligent types have been improved. The new Noise Reducer type reduces noise while preserving
the attack of the note. It does this by using intelligent filtering to remove line noise and high
frequency hiss will leaving the rest of the spectrum intact. Be sure to set the global Line Frequency
to a value commensurate with the AC frequency in your country. Note that the Classic and
Intelligent types can achieve complete silence while the Noise Reducer type can let some sound
through as it is designed to be as transparent and unobtrusive as possible.

Types
There are 3 noise gate types in the Input block:

Classic – basic downward expander

Intelligent – faster and more stable gate, using a proprietary noise reduction algorithm

Noise Reducer — reduces noise while preserving the attack of the note. It does this by using intelligent filtering
to remove line noise and high frequency hiss while leaving the rest of the spectrum intact.

The Axe-Fx III and FM3 also include EMI filtering as part of the noise gate in the Input block.

The Classic and Intelligent types can achieve complete silence while the Noise Reducer type can let some sound
through as it is designed to be as transparent and unobtrusive as possible.

"The Intelligent mode of the gate is more than just a gate, it includes noise reduction." source (http:/
/forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/integrated-noise-reduction.138509/#post-1643208)

"The Input Block already uses a downward expander." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threa

ds/axe-fx-iii-firmware-release-version-12-00.157866/post-1883948)

Gate/Expander block
About the Gate/Expander block
The standalone Gate/Expander block allows precise control over gate settings, such as Sidechain Select, and
flexibility, because you can put anywhere on the grid and it offers side-chaining. A common position is to add it
after a high-gain Amp block.

Types
Downward Expander: in firmware Ares 12 and later. It has less chatter and tighter gating than the Classic
Gate.

Classic Gate: based on the classic noise gate where the gate opens when the Threshold value is exceeded and
decays to the Attenuation value when below the Threshold value and the Hold timer has expired. This type
offers harder gating and is useful for aggressive styles.

Available on which products

Axe-Fx III: 4 blocks
FM3: 2 blocks
Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
AX8: 1 block
FX8: 2 block

"The self-noise of your guitar is usually greater than the self-noise of the Axe-Fx. This noise will
be amplified by the amp block. For high-gain tones it is almost always necessary to use a gate to
 control this noise. Adjust the noise gate in In/Gte to squelch the noise." source (http://forum.fractala
udio.com/posts/956435/)

Channels or X/Y switching

Axe-Fx III and FM3: 4 channels
Axe-Fx II XL and XL+: X/Y
Axe-Fx II Mk I and II: no
AX8: X/Y
FX8: X/Y

There's no MIDI CC available for Gate/Expander X/Y switching on the Axe-Fx II.

Parameters
Parameters table
Parameter Axe-Fx III / FM3 Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8

Type (Input block only) yes

Threshold yes

Ratio yes

Attack Time yes

Release Time yes

Hold Time yes

Sidechain Source yes

Low Cut, High Cut yes

Detector Type yes

Global > AC Line Frequency (Input block only) yes no no

Sidechain
(firmware Ares 12.03) “The sidechain filter changed in 12.03. Instead of a single bandpass it is now
a highpass and a lowpass. With the single bandpass the lowcut and highcut frequencies were
constrained from being greater/less than each other. gate to behave differently than it does now.“
source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-release-version-12-04.159140/p
ost-1901681)

Threshold
This determines how quiet the signal must be for the gate to close. See: Global Noise Gate Offset (below).
 (Axe-Fx III) "The new noise gate in the Input block is killer. I recommend starting with default
settings (reset the block) and then adjust the threshold to obtain the desired results." source (http://f
orum.fractalaudio.com/threads/axe-fx-iii-firmware-version-1-09-public-beta.139264/)

Note: the Threshold parameter in firmware Ares is different from the Axe-Fx II.

"There is a 20 dB offset between the II and II." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/noise-

gate-settings-between-ii-and-iii.139842/#post-1658127)

"-65 dB on AX8 = -45 dB on Axe-Fx III." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/noise-prob

lems-ax8-vs-axe-fx-iii.142991/#post-1692712)

Ratio
Determines how much quieter the signal will be when the gate is closed.

Attack and Release

Attack determines how long it takes for the gate to open after signal levels exceed the threshold. Keep this low
to preserve the attack of first notes.

Release determines how long it takes for the gate to close. Use a slow setting for a gradual decay to prevent
your notes from being clipped suddenly.

On the Axe-Fx III and FM3 always start with default settings. Don't set Attack and Release too fast.

(Axe-Fx II) "I prefer a fast attack and slow release and a ratio around 2." source (http://forum.fracta
laudio.com/threads/noob-question-noise-gate.87769/#post-1061647)

(Axe-Fx II) "For guitar I recommend setting the Attack time very short (less than 10ms) and the
Release time to 100-200ms. Ratio 2-3:1 and Threshold to taste." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.c
om/threads/noise-gate-choke.80613/#post-979145) source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/n
oise-gate-settings.83877/#post-1017595)

(Axe-Fx II) "General rule of thumb on any gate is short attack time (<5ms) and long release time
(~100ms)." source (https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/noise-gate-fizz.105575/#post-1263518)

(Axe-Fx II) "Typically you want a fast attack and slow release otherwise you'll get noise as the gate
rapidly opens and closes when the signal decays." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/ax
e-fx-ii-quantum-3-02-firmware-release-3-01-we-hardly-new-ye.114101/page-9#post-1370985)

"A rule-of-thumb is that your release time should be 10-100 times the attack time." source (http://fo
rum.fractalaudio.com/threads/noise-gate-flutter.122591/#post-1459053)

Level
The Level parameter of the gate determines the loudness of the signal entering the grid. It still works when the
gate is off and can be used to boost of cut signal strength.
Sidechain Select (Input block only)
You can use SCSEL (SideChain Select) to select the signal the gate is working with. If the gate is the first block
in the routing there's no need to use SCSEL. If the gate is placed after other blocks in the routing, it can be
useful to use SCSEL to set an optimal source signal, such as Input 1. This is similar to the way the ISP
Decimator operates. This is done by creating a separate routing from the grid input into the Gate block. source (
http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-general-discussion/36145-isp-decimator-gate-expander-question.html)
source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-wish-list/77145-noise-gate-optimisation.html) source (http://foru
m.fractalaudio.com/threads/i-cant-solve-this-problem-acoustic-guitar-still-sound-on-electrics-patch.107104/)

SideChain Select is not available on all processors.

Global menu: Noisegate Offset

The Offset parameter in the Global menu offsets the Threshold setting across all presets. This can be used to
increase or decrease the threshold to compensate for varying interference levels. If the Threshold parameter in
the preset is set to “Off”, the Global Offset will have no effect. The default value is 0 dB and is set to that upon
System Reset.

"When I program a pro rig, we always set the noise gate at a threshold that feels best in the studio,
knowing that the global NOISEGATE OFFSET which can save you in a pinch should the rig need
to be used in a noisy environment. By the way, BEFORE we had this global option, we'd often opt
for a much more aggressive threshold: -65 db or thereabouts!" source (http://forum.fractalaudio.co
m/threads/simple-noise-gate-question.99798/#post-1197177)

Global menu: AC Line Freq

Available on the Axe-Fx III and FM3.

This helps the gate in the Input block to suppress EMI filtering. Set it to the correct frequency for your country.

Note: this is not the same parameter as AC LINE FREQUENCY in the Amp block.

More information about noise gates

(Axe-Fx II) "On the Ultra I would use the gate on high gain patches but I find I don't need it now. I
did some measurements and the II is at least 10 dB better SNR." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.c
om/threads/funny-thing-at-rehersal.41117/#post-552329)

"There are noise "reduction" techniques but all alter the desired signal in some way. Noise gates are
among the most useful for our particular needs. Digital cameras use various techniques based on
the statistics of the image (i.e. if an area of the image is monochromatic heavier filtering is applied).
The Intelligent gate in the Axe-Fx uses some crude statistical processing where the statistics are
based on the typical stats of a typical guitar. IOW, noise reduction is destructive. You can't beat the
laws of physics. So you can't remove noise without somehow altering the original signal." source (h
ttp://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/eliminating-noise.109312/#post-1308096)
 "The amp model doesn't add noise, it just amplifies it." source (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/thread
s/eliminating-noise.109312/#post-1308121)

"To get the best noise performance it is important that the Instr In trim is set correctly in the I/O >
Input menu. Set this as high as possible without clipping the input." source (http://forum.fractalaudi
o.com/posts/956435/)

Using the Volume block as a noise gate

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_gate)
How to use noise gates (http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/noise_gates_101_what_they_do_how_to_u
se_them_optimally)
Forum discussion (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/i-love-hate-noise-gates-youtube-video.116883)
GotMetalBoy: More dynamics and pick attack (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/heres-a-tip-for-anyb
ody-who-wants-more-dynamics-and-pick-attack.49252)
GotMetalBoy: Different ways to use a noise gate (http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/i-love-hate-noise
-gates-youtube-video.116883/#post-1395772) And: Example settings and Axe-Fx II preset (http://forum.f
ractalaudio.com/threads/i-love-hate-noise-gates-youtube-video.116883/#post-1402834)

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This page was last edited on 1 May 2020, at 15:11.