Kilohearts Gate is a downloadable plug-in for use in pro-audio mixing, one that it often used to remove problematic low-level signal that you don't need. Too much snare in the kick drum mic? The gate is designed to fix this problem. This plug-in has all the controls designed to handle gating issues, and a few that foster creative use as well.
As with other Kilohearts plug-ins, this software can work as a module within the company's large ecosystem of effects. Through separately available Snapin hosts, you can arrange and combine this effect with other Kilohearts products. This software will operate on Mac and Windows platforms, and will work in AU, VST2, and AAX formats. It will also work as a Reason extension.
Attack
The attack time is the time it takes to for the gate to fully open when the input volume is over the threshold.
Hold
The hold time is the minimum time the gate will stay open.
Release
The release time is the time it takes to for the gate to fully close when the input volume is under the threshold.
Threshold
The threshold sets the signal level at which the gate will open.
Tolerance
Tolerance is also known as Hysteresis, and it helps you fine-tune the gate's operation. The hysteresis range requiring the volume to drop a set amount of dB under the threshold before closing.
Range
The amount to attenuate the signal when the gate is closed.
Lookahead
When enabled, a 5 ms lookahead will be used, allowing transients through at the cost of some latency.
Flip
This is an interesting control for a gate: When flipped, the gate will act in reverse, attenuating the signal only when the gate is open. This means you'll only hear the low-level information.
VU Meter
Displays the current input level, the selected threshold and tolerance, and the gate's current state.
Side-Chain
When you select another sound source in this sidechain drop-down menu, the plug-in uses that source for determining the behavior of the plug-in instead. This is useful, for instance, for lowering a lead sound whenever the kick hits.