Year: 2024

When you are working on improving the audio quality of your podcast, you will most likely want to use a Noise Gate to improve the sound of your podcast. But what exactly is this odd-sounding filter, and how does it work? In this article, we will cover what a noise gate is and how to use it.

Noise in General

As a podcaster, you want your audience to be immersed in your content without being distracted by background noise or unwanted sound artifacts. You will inevitably have some type of noise that you want to filter out during your recording session. Probably the most obvious one that people often overlook, is noise bleeding in from the person across from you when they talk! Well the good news, is that you can almost completely remove that low-volume noise in the background and other things like air conditioners, and so on, with a noise gate filter.

 How A Noise Gate Filter Works

In essence, a noise gate filter will help remove sounds at or below a certain threshold that you set. You can adjust various settings such as the attack, hold, and so on. If when your speaker is silent on the track you are filtering, the noise level is -48db for example, you will set your noise gate around -45db. The effect that this has is in essence muting the track, unless the volume suddenly pierces this threshold. And that would usually only occur if you suddenly spoke into the microphone.

By using the noise gate filter in this fashion, you will remove all background sounds when the speaker is not speaking into the microphone. This will help to control the bleed of the other voice in the room.

How to Correctly Setup a Noise Gate

Now that you understand what a noise gate does, let’s look at some caveats that you must be aware of so that the noise gate works exactly as you intend it to.

In the world of audio mixing and mastering, there is a general sequence you should follow in applying your audio effects and filters. There are, of course, personal preferences and not everyone will follow this exact same sequence, but it is a very good guide that will ensure the best possible quality of your audio mix.

Try to apply your audio effects and filters in this sequence:

1. Denoise
2. Noise Gate
3. Compressor
4. EQ filtering
5. Limiting

One of the biggest rules you must follow to get a noise gate filter to work properly is to NEVER apply the noise gate AFTER compression. To do so, will render the noise gate completely useless, as you are first boosting the audio signal and then it simply will not work without cutting into the actual audio you want to keep in your mix. So make sure you add the noise gate after any denoise filter and BEFORE adding compression to your track.

Another important point you must remember is that your microphones MUST be set up correctly. This includes your input gain settings. If you are using a mic that uses phantom power, you must ensure your input gain is not set too high. If it is, you will also have trouble with the noise fate filter as you will be boosting the volume of everything in the room, including unwanted noise.

A better approach to boosting an audio signal in a podcast if the levels are too low is to have your speakers move their microphones closer to their mouths and lower the input gain. On a Rodecaster Pro mixer, this ends up being an input gain setting around 11-14, with the microphones about 2 inches from the speakers’ mouths. Conversely, if you had their mouths 5-8 inches from the mics and the input gain set to 25-33, you would hear an “unsightly” amount of room tone and would be picking up the other person’s voice so loudly, that the noise gate becomes pointless to use. Another benefit of lowering the input gain is that you can now afford to have the mics very close to the speaker’s mouth without excessive plosive noises (Ps and Bs) being overwhelmingly loud in the lower frequencies.

You can play around with the input gain settings and find what you feel works best for you.

How to Adjust the Noise Gate

So you’ve set your noise gate up but are noticing words are getting chopped at the start or cut off at the end. What to do? This is where you will need to tweak the noise gate filter settings until you find the right mix of threshold, attack, release, and hold. If your noise gate is too aggressive, your attack may be working too fast. Try increasing the attack time from 1 ms to 5 or 8 ms. Similarly, if the ends of words are getting clipped, you can increase the release time. Small increment changes tend to work better than huge adjustments.

It is important to sample various parts of your recording as well to ensure your threshold is not set too low or too high. If the threshold is excessively high, words will become choppy and distorted. If it is too low, it will be as if the noise gate is not even on; you will hear the background noise you are trying to remove.

You will now find that after a noise gate has been applied, your compressor will work much more effectively, as it does not magnify the unwanted noises in your recording; only the speaker’s voice will be raised to a point of clarity that will sound better to the ears!

Introduction

In the world of podcasting, sound quality is paramount. One key aspect often overlooked by aspiring and even seasoned podcasters is the acoustics of their recording environment. Proper acoustic treatment can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your podcast.

This article explores the various methods to improve the acoustics in your podcast studio, focusing on the effectiveness of foam padding and the specialized acoustic panels from GIK Acoustics.

Understanding and applying these techniques will elevate your podcast’s audio quality, providing a more enjoyable experience for your audience.

Basic Principles of Studio Acoustics

Before diving into specific acoustic treatments, it’s essential to understand the basic principles of sound dynamics in a studio. Sound waves can reflect, absorb, or diffuse when they encounter surfaces. In an untreated room, these behaviors can lead to issues like echoes, reverberation, and standing waves, which degrade audio quality.

The goal of acoustic treatment is to control these sound behaviors to achieve a balanced, clear, and neutral sound environment. This involves strategically treating the room to reduce unwanted reflections and reverberations while maintaining the natural tone of the recorded audio.

Foam Panels

Foam panels is a popular and accessible option for improving studio acoustics. It works by absorbing sound waves, thus reducing reflections and echoes. There are various types of foam padding available, ranging from basic foam panels to more advanced designs like pyramid or wedge-shaped foam. These different shapes help in trapping and diffusing sound waves more effectively. When installing foam padding, it’s crucial to strategically place it on walls, ceilings, and sometimes even floors to tackle specific acoustic issues. However, it’s important to note that while foam padding is effective for high-frequency absorption, it’s less effective for low-frequency sounds, which may require more substantial treatments.

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GIK Acoustics Panels

For a more comprehensive solution, GIK Acoustics offers a range of acoustic panels that cater to both high and low-frequency sound absorption. These panels are designed with specific materials and structures to absorb, diffuse, and manage sound waves more effectively than standard foam padding. GIK Acoustics panels come in various forms, including bass traps for low-frequency absorption, diffusors for scattering sound waves, and absorbers for general sound absorption.

The effectiveness of GIK panels lies in their ability to treat a wider range of frequencies, providing a more balanced acoustic environment in your studio. Additionally, these panels can be customized in terms of size, color, and fabric to suit the aesthetic of your studio.

Placement and Installation Tips

Strategic placement of acoustic treatments is as important as the treatments themselves. For foam padding, focus on areas where sound reflections are most prominent, like the walls directly adjacent to and behind the microphone. In corners, consider using bass traps to manage low-frequency build-up.

When installing GIK Acoustics panels, use a combination of wall-mounted panels and free-standing units to target specific problem areas. It’s also advisable to leave some wall space untreated to maintain a natural room sound. The key is to strike a balance between overly deadening the room and leaving too many reflective surfaces untreated.

Combining Acoustic Treatments

Optimizing your studio’s acoustics often involves combining different types of treatments. While foam padding can be a good starting point for handling high-frequency issues, integrating GIK Acoustics panels can significantly enhance the overall acoustic treatment, especially for mid to low frequencies. It’s also worth considering other elements like carpets or heavy curtains, which can absorb sound and reduce reflections. The aim is to create an acoustically balanced space that captures clear, natural-sounding audio without unwanted noise and reverberation.

Conclusion

Improving the acoustics of your podcast studio is a crucial step towards achieving professional-grade audio quality. Whether you’re using basic foam padding or advanced solutions like GIK Acoustics panels, the right acoustic treatment can transform your recordings.

By understanding the principles of sound dynamics and strategically applying acoustic treatments, you can create an ideal recording environment that enhances the clarity and appeal of your podcast. Remember, your audience’s listening experience is significantly impacted by the sound quality of your podcast, making acoustic treatment an investment worth making.