TC Electronic Gold Channel, User Manual

THE BLOCKS

26

The Blocks

On the following pages you will find a description of
the ten processing algorithms, and the parameters
you can control in them.

Expander

There are two different expander/gate sub types in
the Gold Channel. They are running from the same
sub-algorithm, but with different parameters
available, fitted for different applications.

Both the Gate and Expander perform Downward Expansion.
Downward Expansion in general, means that below a certain
threshold the input signal’s gain is reduced on the output
according to a specific ratio. For instance, if a Gate or
Expander has a ratio 1:2, for every dB the input decreases the
output will be decreased with 2 dB.  Expanders/Gates are often
used to remove background noise from, for instance, old
keyboards, or for separating the inputs of different drum mics.

Expander/Gate

Easy Gate

Mode

The Mode parameter changes between fast and slow gating,
and covers a change in both the Ratio, Attack, Release, hold
and knee mode parameters.

Threshold

When the input signal falls below this threshold, the Gate starts
working. This means that the higher threshold the more gating
you will get.

Max. Damping

With this parameter you can decide the maximum number of
dB the gate shall attenuate (See the graphics to get a better
understanding).

SIDECHAIN

The Sidechain is the reference signal that the Gate is listening
to internally for making the processing. You will never hear
this signal on the output.

Input

When placed on Channel 1, you can select the Sidechain Input
to be either the Same (Ch.1) or Channel 2.  
Example: If you select to have Sidechain input from Ch.2, you
can go to the Layout page and select Ch. 1 Pre, as input to
Ch.2. Now you have all the blocks on Ch. 2 for processing the
Sidechain signal on Ch. 1. You can also have a completely
different input on Ch. 2.
NOTE: When two blocks are linked, you cannot select Ch. 2 as
input for Ch. 1 Sidechain.

Advanced Expander

Threshold

When the input signal falls below this threshold, the
Expander/Gate starts working. This means that the higher
threshold the more expansion you will get.

Ratio

The Ratio of the gain reduction. If the Ratio is set to 4:1 it
means that for every 1 dB the input signal decreases, the output
will decrease by 4 dB.
When the Ratio is set Infinite:1, it means that when the input
signal falls below the threshold, the output is turned all the way
down. This is also known as gating.

Attack

The Attack is the time that the Expander/Gate uses for bringing
the reduced signal to 1:1, when the signal exceeds the
threshold.