***Updated 9/20/20 to include PSE Source Extractor Plugin added in Firmware 1.08.1***
Here is a link to an excellent article from Sound on Sound about how gates work and what the controls do, which is a great start if you are new to gates or want to learn more about the controls:
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/advanced-gating-techniques-part-1
Now on to the WING Gate section.
Select the Effect to be Inserted.
By default the WING Gate/Expander is inserted, but bypassed.
WING Gate/Expander
This is a versatile Gate/Expander with standard gate controls like threshold, ratio, and range. There is also Envelope controls like Attack, Hold, and Release. There is also a Key Source to trigger from another source and a Key Filter to control what frequencies affect the gate.
WING Ducker
The WING Ducker controls are similar to the Gate/Expander.
Gate Key Source Selection
This is used to trigger the gate from another channel for instance triggering the gate on the Bass channel from the Kick drum to tighten them up.
Gate Key Filter
Select the Frequency and Q. This can be helpful if you are trying to keep the gate on one channel from being effected by another source that is triggering the gate.
SSL 9000 Gate
This is based on the Channel Gate from an SSL 9000 mixer.
Neve 88 Gate
The Neve 88 Gate includes the unique Hysteresis setting, to help set a difference in level between when the gate opens and the gate closes, kind of like a Hold time, but based on level instead of time, which makes a lot of sense. How it works is that you set the Threshold and that becomes the point that the gate will close. Then you set the Hysteresis and that amount is added to the threshold to come up with a level at which the gate will open. This can help with a natural decay of the signal while still gating out unwanted noise.
A threshold of -40 with a Hysteresis of 10 would cause the gate open at -30 and close at -40.
Drawmer DL241 (Gate)
This is the gate section taken out of the Drawmer DL241, which is a gate and compressor. There is a button to select Fast or Slow release time and it is lit up when set to slow.
DBX902 De-esser
A De-Esser that is straight forward.
UREI /Universal Audio 1176
The 1176 is a classic Fet compressor known for being fast and also for it’s ability to distort in a way that many people like on some sources. This should be familiar to X/M32 users as it was one of the few analog model processors available. There is an “All Buttons in” mode included with the ratios for a common trick that increases compression and distortion. The 1176 is a classic compressor, but takes some experience so this is a great opportunity to set up a virtual soundcheck and learn how to set the Attack and Release times (lower numbers are slower and higher numbers are faster).
This compressor/limiter that is also available in the compressor section and inserts, but I can imagine using the 1176 or LA2A (below) in the gate section so as to use another compressor or effect in the compressor slot. (Remember that the effects slots can be re-ordered). Firmware 1.07 added sidechain/key source.
Teletronix/Universal Audio LA-2A
This is a classic compressor/limiting amplifier that is smoother and slower than other designs due to its tube and photocell circuitry. The compressor has a soft knee and Attack and Release Timing is program dependent making this a good compressor for beginners. Great for smoothing out vocals and helping them sound more “polished.”
Like the 1176 it is available elsewhere but could be useful in this slot. Firmware 1.07 added sidechain/key source.
SPL Transient Designer
The transient designer is used to shape the transient of the signal and change the attack or sustain of a source. Think of adding attack as a way to make kick and snare punch through the mix more, while reducing the sustain can cut down on ring drums like toms. Adding sustain to an instrument track like a guitar solo is another possibility.
Firmware 1.07 added sidechain/key source.
Auto Rider
This looks like it is based on the Waves Vocal Rider and the concept is that it rides a fader to level out the volume without changing the sound or tone in the way a compressor does.
Firmware 1.07 added sidechain/key source.
SOUL Warmth
This is based on an SSL preamp, but the Soul Warmth adds harmonics like analog equipment and a driven preamp. Later we will look at measurements taken in Smaart that show the harmonics and how they are effected by the controls.
Dynamic EQ
The Dynamic EQ was added in Firmware 1.06. It is only one band, but gives you a lot of control over that one band. Dynamic EQ’s are helpful to have the EQ be based on a threshold and not effect the signal at all times like a traditional EQ. Firmware 1.07 added sidechain/key source.
PSE Source Extractor
The PSE is an intelligent expanding processor that looks like it is based on the Neve 5045. Operators that use the Neve 5045 (or the plugin version on the Yamaha CL/QL) or Waves PSE plugin will know how handy this processor can be and the WING having it available in the gate slot of every channel is a welcome addition. This processor is especially helpful with Lav or Headset Mics to help get more gain before feedback.
The controls seem similar to the Neve but with much simpler time controls. On the Neve you set the threshold so that the “active light” is lit when your signal is present. The time setting seems to just be fast or not-fast and that is the time it takes to activate after the source drops off. The depth setting sets how much reduction takes place when your source is not present.
The PSE was added in firmware version 1.08. See our article on the firmware update here: https://survivethegig.com/wing-firmware-version-1-08-1-summer-update-release-notes-and-first-look/
In Depth
In future articles we will go in depth with the different plugins.