an INTELLIGENT gate (does it exist?)

[logancircle]

Let's say you're mixing a project that you didn't record that needs eqing on the snare track. When you gate the snare track with a normal realtime gate plugin it often sounds like ass no matter how you set it. You're not lazy, but you also don't want to go through and manually delete all hihat hits so you can eq the snare track. Is there something like a smart gate plugin that could, say, scan the snare track and understand which sounds (not hihat) should be kept, then simply silence the others without snapping in and cutting out?

[JGriffin]

Strip silence on Protools, maybe?

[Hee-man]

I think the Masterworks Gate that came with DP4.5 allows you to set the gate to open based on frequency filters. It opens like a standard gate, but only triggerred by levels below or above a set frequency. So you could only set it to open based on frequencies below 1k for instance. At least that's how I think it works.

[darjama]

Hmmm, something like a frequency-dependent gate? Assuming you're digital (and using VST effects):

I know most drum replacers usually let key off a specific frequency. You could create a track to replace the snare drum, then use that to open a keyed gate:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1959.html
http://www.kvraudio.com/get/2054.html

Actually, it looks like slim slow slider has an auto gate that will let you select a frequency, no drum replacer needed.

http://www.geocities.jp/webmaster_of_sss/vst/

[RodC]

The Sonitus gate does a pretty good job. It does both look ahead and freq specific side chain. Comes with Sonar PE, I use it a lot.

Found this doing a quick google:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct05/a ... artech.htm

Sidechain Frequency Range is an outstanding feature, as it lets you gate on the basis of frequency range as well as level. For example, say sound from a bass amp leaks into a snare mic. If you restrict the gate's response to ignore bass frequencies, only the snare triggers the gate, making it easier to reject bass-amp leakage. This function doesn't affect the audio itself, only the control signal that triggers the audio. Using it is simple:

1. Click on 'Output' so that the button shows 'Sidech'. This lets you monitor the trigger audio rather than the noise-gate output.

2. Adjust the low-cut and high-cut sliders to set the filter's low- and high-frequency limits respectively.

3. Once you've isolated the sound you want to gate, click on 'Output' again so that the label reads 'Audio'. You can now hear the noise-gate output. Optimise the other gate parameters for the best results.

4. To disable the filter, slide the Low Cut slider left, to 'Off', and slide the High Cut filter right, also to 'Off'.

EDIT
The Depth control on this gate also works great, it is usualy set to max so make sure you try it at less drastic settings.

[kdownes]

i would second the strip silence. it might take a while to get the threshold right, but it will be worth it.

[inverseroom]

All that said...how long would it take to delete all the hihats on a track? Ten minutes? Once you knew visually where they were...

[joel hamilton]

Just use any gate that is sidechainable or has a key built right in. For software, I use a look ahead gate,the digirack III expander gate. I cant believe how well that thing works in exactly this sort of situation.
I used to do the same thing with my BSS gates, the 1204 I had for years... BUT: those were awesome, but can not look ahead!
Anyway, the coolest thing about expander/gates is that you can actually get some oomph out of the kick and snare and make the leading edge a little more pronounced, especially with something look ahead. Setting the ratio and the attack and release, you can really get some useful time constant manipulation, and some ducking of the hats at the same time. once you get that dialed in, get the filters going and just get the hat the frig out of the expander/gate's "ears." it wont react. It WILL, however kind of change the "feel" of the snare, because you will be keying off of a "slower" frequency.this is where the expander can really help, by ramping the leading edge up sligtly, you make the snare feel a little more focused, without needing the very "tip of the stick" to key the gate open...