Condition: 4/5

From the Manufacturer

Expectations of audio quality, and to the results that can be achieved with creative sound manipulation are changing dramatically. In professional sound production, noise gating has become one of the fundamental processes used on an ever-increasing range of audio signal types. BSS have applied extensive experience in practical dynamics processor design and usage to create the ideal tool in a quick-to-use format that also conserves precious rack space – the DPR-504 4-CHANNEL NOISE GATE. Ingenious proprietary techniques in control and display technology are employed to make the engineer’s life easier without compromise to performance or versatility. For example, FAST and AUTO Attack modes have been optimised for accurate and transparent performance over the widest variety of programmed material. AUTO mode continually regulates the gate’s speed of response by analysis of the harmonic and dynamic content of the input signal. Hence, source types ranging from percussion to bass guitar – even voice – can all be gated fast and distortion free with the minimum of attention from the operator. FAST mode offers an outstanding 20ms Attack time to handle consistently the most demanding percussion and synthesiser transients. As a further aid to rapid set up, the RELEASE control not only adjusts for decay response of the gate channel but simultaneously sets an appropriate Hold period which tracks proportionally with the Release time. This relationship combines with a special, audio-tapered Release characteristic to give subtle, ‘musical’ envelope shaping using only a single control. For multi-mic situations such as drums or percussion set-ups, spillage can often cause spurious, unwanted gate triggers. The DPR-504 thoughtfully provides a flexible parametric KEY FILTER on each channel to allow frequency conscious gating with absolute precision. Quick adjustment by ear, using the momentary KEY LISTEN switch, eliminates hair-trigger threshold settings with ease, and offers considerable scope for special effects. The unique, ‘floating window’ key level LED display gives the engineer a constant visual indication of signal level above and below threshold, invaluable for quick set-up and for spotting problems instantly during a show or mix session.