Noise Gates & Expanders, How and When to Use them in Voiceover | Tips from a Pro VO

[@mattcom2]

It might help in explaining a gate if you were to remake that recording with the door to your booth open - to introduce a noise floor high enough to need the effect. Then it could be seen and heard. That would also make it possible to demonstrate the impact of a fast-acting gate in contrast to one which responds gently.

[@SethKyro]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@shabhayeshirin]

it was perfect, very simple to and professional! thank you so much!

[@blkmidia]

Nice video, tks!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@chrislamb77]

Thanks Jay! Love your videos!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks for taking the time to say so Chris! Means a lot :)

[@connorete3646]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@mikebauer6917]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@queenofhearts227]

So helpful! btw, where can I get that wool, bread style acoustic paneling? Been seeing it everywhere on videos, but can't seem to find it.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad to hear! The acoustics are built into my Sudiobricks booth, I’m not sure if they sell it separately

[@antto_333]

Hi! I use a different DAW for recording (Nuendo) but just wanted to ask a question or two. I don't use too much processing on my recordings just because I like that transparent sound, so I end up editing a lot of noise out manually. With that being said: 1. What's your opinion on using a Gate/Expander during the tracking process as opposed to post-processing? Would that save more time? 2. How much processing *should* you do for auditions? I hear of people using at most: Declicker/Denoiser/etc/Gate - EQ - Compressor and that's my usual FX chain, but I'd love to hear your thoughts

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Sure! Here are my thoughts: 1. For gates/expanders, generally I only apply them in post so that I can maintain the RAW recordings if the client wants the audio unprocessed. There are some projects where if one is confident with the gate in tracking, I could see that being a good option to save time, but it's so easy to apply in post that I prefer safe than sorry. 2. For auditions, I think the amount of processing is project-dependent. When in doubt and in most cases less is more (as you said), but if you're confident with post-production and can make subtle tweaks (i.e. more compression for commercials vs natural sound for audiobooks, etc.) then you might find it helpful in giving clients a better idea of the "end product."

[@antto_333]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Very insightful stuff here, and I realized that I should probably go for making chain presets based on the type of project I'm doing (mostly character voices with a little commercial work). I do have one last question though- for auditions/final work, would you recommend a more transparent compressor, or something warm like a vintage-styled compressor?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@antto_333 Great question! and I think it really comes down to personal preference as well as a number of other variables (your voice/mic/room/etc.). If you feel it'd benefit from a warmer tone, go vintage! The only caveat here being if a client wants one over the other.

[@antto_333]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Thanks for the advice! You're awesome.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@antto_333 🥰

[@legalfreedom]

If a quiet unwanted sound is present at the same time a louder sound is happening, the gate won't help with that, right? The louder sound opens the gate for everything to come through. Is there a gate-type tool that works for this? Like a pass filter for db?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

That’s right! The sound will still be present underneath any speech. There are tools that surgically remove sounds like that like RX De-noise, or spectral repair, those remoce specific frequencies independent of loudness.

[@legalfreedom]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Thanks. I do have RX and am using that, but it can be problematic when sounds are on top of one another.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@legalfreedom I hear ya.

[@MusicChannel-rf5zz]

Thanks! Is there a plugin that has both compressor & expander , other than Kive audio complexx?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

izotope's neutron and nectar both have tools like that. There are also several UAD plugins that have both which may be worth perusing if that's what you're looking for.

[@MusicChannel-rf5zz]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Yes.Thanks a lot! Can it do a good job as Kive's Complexx plugin?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I’m not familiar with that one so I can’t say for sure.

[@suzieprater8083]

Thanks Jay! Just to make sure I understand, As far as the noise gate and the Expander, I would use either or..right? I wouldn't use them together...right? Also, I was able to purchase an AKG P220. Not a Rode NT 1 but I think it'll work hopefully,

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Congrats on the new mic! Yeah that should work just fine :) Per your question, yeah I'd probably start using one or the other just so you can get a sense of how it changes your recordings. Once you're comfortable with using one you could certainly try using both if you'd like--though it's not necessary.

[@suzieprater8083]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Thanks!

[@RobKristjansson]

Possible dumb question here! I always record room tone as part of a vo session. Do I want the gate on or off during that part of the recording?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

No dumb questions! Off would be best if you want to use your room tone in post.

[@RobKristjansson]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Many thanks, sir!

[@amauregia]

What mic are you using in this video? Thank you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

It’s the earthworks ethos! A link is in the description if you like.

[@brettcollin3693]

Is a downward expander for low noise removal the same?And does that get applied near the very end before normalizing as a final process? Getting alot from your videos trying to best audio for what I have

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad you find the videos helpful! If you're asking regarding a specific plugin called "downward expander for low noise removal" then yes they will likely function similarly. When you apply it in your chain is up to you and what you find gives you the best results. Personally, I like to work subtractively first--meaning any processing that takes sound/information OUT of my audio I do up front. Which would include a gate/expander.

[@ViolinistJeff]

What is the difference between ratio and range on a gate/expander, and why doesn't your expander have a range setting?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I'm not sure what you mean by "range," do you mean the release and attack?

[@ViolinistJeff]

@@jaymyersvoiceover No, many gates/expanders have a "range" setting. I had to do some investigating, including asking ChatGPT to get a relatively clearer answer. "Range" is a setting on the Pro Tools standard Expander/Gate plugin. It is the absolute limit that a sound will be attenuated under the threshold. There will be no attenuation lower than the selected range. Ratio is how _much_ a sound will be attenuated under the threshold, but it will still be at or above the selected range. Range and ratio are both set to the max if you are gating. I'm still learning the ropes, so do your own research to confirm, in case I'm not entirely right.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@ViolinistJeff Got it. I thought you were asking the difference between those parameters on the plugins I was using, so I got a bit confused. ChatGPT looks to have gotten the gist of it for you! Thanks for reporting back.