3.5

101MainStage Effects
Compression parameters
The Compression Threshold and Compression Ratio parameters are the key parameters
for controlling compression. Usually the most useful combinations of these two settings
are a low Compression Threshold with a low Compression Ratio, or a high Compression
Threshold with a high Compression Ratio.
Downward Expansion parameters
The Expansion Threshold, Expansion Ratio, and Expansion Reduction parameters are the
key parameters for controlling downward expansion. They determine the strength of the
expansion applied to the chosen range.
Peak/RMS and Envelope parameters
Adjusting the parameter between Peak (0ms, minimum value) and RMS (root mean square
−200ms, maximum value) is dependent on the type of signal you want to compress. An
extremely short Peak detection setting is suitable for compression of short and high peaks
of low power, which do not typically occur in music. The RMS detection method measures
the power of the audio material over time and thus works much more musically. This is
because human hearing is more responsive to the overall power of the signal than to single
peaks. As a basic setting for most applications, the centered position is recommended.
Output parameters
The Out slider sets the overall output level. Set Lookahead to higher values when the Peak/
RMS fields are set to higher values (farther towards RMS). Set AutoGain to On to reference
the overall processing to 0dB, making the output louder.
Noise Gate
MainStage Noise Gate overview
Noise Gate is commonly used to suppress unwanted noise that is audible when the audio
signal is at a low level. You can use it to remove background noise, crosstalk from other
signal sources, and low-level hum.
Noise Gate works by allowing signals above the threshold level to pass unimpeded, while
reducing signals below the threshold level. This effectively removes lower-level parts of the
signal, while allowing the desired parts of the audio to pass.