Equalizer - Yamaha AW2816 Manual

Noise Gate: A noise gate allows only levels that exceed the set threshold to pass
through. It is normally used to get rid of unwanted noise on tracks. A noisy guitar track
or a kick drum or snare drum track are examples of where a noise gate is often used. It is
generally recommended that a noise gate be used only after a track is recorded. If the
threshold is set incorrectly while recording there is the possibility that more than just the
unwanted noise will be gated out. By using the noise gate after the track has been
recorded there is room to experiment with the settings until it is set correctly.
Ducker: A ducker is a compressor that is triggered by a signal other than the channel
that is on. When the signal that is acting as a trigger exceeds the threshold level the
regular signal is compressed. A common application for a ducker is in a broadcast
situation. The ducker would be applied to the music channel and triggered by the DJ's
microphone. Whenever the DJ speaks the level of the music will be "ducked" below the
level of the DJs microphone. Once the DJ stops talking the music will return to normal
broadcast levels. While not commonly used in music recording studios it can sometimes
be useful as an effect.
Expander: An expander works in just the opposite way of a compressor. It is used to
expand signals that may not have enough dynamic range to make it seem more
expressive. Signals that exceed the set threshold will have their gain increased according
to the ratio the same way that a compressor decreases the gain.
Compander: A compander is just what it sounds like, a combination of a compressor and
an expander. A compander raises the level of signals below the threshold and
compresses signals above the threshold.
This only scratches the surface of what a dynamic processor is about and what can be done with
them. Don't expect to learn all about dynamic processors overnight but don't be afraid to
experiment either. The AW2816 has 40 presets that are very useful for getting started. Use the
presets as starting points until more familiarity with dynamic processors is gained. A good
resource is a document entitled "Inside the 01V" distributed by C-Mexx. It details the effects
and dynamic processors within the 01V, another Yamaha digital mixer. This can be downloaded
at www.C-Mexx.com. (01V DOC/PDF supplements)

Equalizer

Next on the channel strip (see previous image) is the equalizer. An equalizer is used to modify
the frequency of the signal. In order to understand the equalizer we must first understand at least
a little about sound and how it works. As mentioned earlier, when a musical instrument is played
sound waves are created. The rate of a sound wave is called the frequency. Frequency is
expressed in Hertz. Hertz is a unit of measurement used to indicate frequency in cycles per
second.
The frequency of the sound wave corresponds to the pitch of the sound wave. The lower the
pitch of the sound wave is then the lower the fundamental frequency will be. For example, the
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