Threshold

A parameter found on compressors, limiters and noise gates (and a variety of other dynamics-based processors), the threshold setting determines at what level the processor will begin working. For example, on a compressor, when signal level exceeds the threshold setting, it will be compressed; below the threshold signal will be passed unprocessed. On a gate, threshold determines the minimum input level required to cause the gate to open up and pass signal; when input level drops below the threshold, the gate will be closed preventing signal from passing. Carefully setting the threshold allows you to very specifically control when processing is being applied to a signal.