The new SSL X-Gate plug-in is available now in several formats including VST2, VST3, AAX and AU as part of the ever-growing SSL Complete subscription. 

Featuring a rolling waveform graph, mid/side processing options and tweakable hysteresis using independent open & closed thresholds, X-Gate builds upon the company's renowned knowledge of hardware gates, all delivered through SSL’s advanced workflow interface. The new plug-in is suitable for music and content creators alike and delivers a unique range of features for extended sound sculpting — An invaluable tool for sound design, audio restoration and of course, mixing.

In addition to M1 processor compatibility, X-Gate also introduces variable lookahead times and zero additional plug-in latency at the lowest setting, making it a perfect tool for tracking situations where mic bleed can distract from the primary source material. Meantime, its EXP and DUCK modes allow either transparent gating or ducking options; ducking is typically used for attenuating a signal when it exceeds a certain threshold, and this can be used in conjunction with a DAW’s sidechain function for intelligent ducking.

Features of the new X-Gate include:

• Easy-to-use THRESHOLD and RANGE controls, visually aligned with WAVEFORM GRAPH and GAIN REDUCTION METER for coordinated control.
• ROLLING WAVEFORM VISUALISATION GRAPH for setting the perfect threshold.
• ATTACK, RELEASE and HOLD time parameters gives detailed control over the shaping of the audio.
• Tune the performance of the gate using the interactive FILTER GRAPH to apply HIGH- and LOW-PASS FILTERS the sidechain signal.
• Use the EXPANDER mode and accompanying KNEE control for a more transparent option: make quiet signals quieter and expand the dynamic range of the signal.
• Simple discrete LOOKAHEAD options for minimising the latency when using a lookahead.
• Transform the plug-in into a production ducker with a single click – use DUCK mode to invert the sidechain logic, attenuating the signal only when it exceeds the threshold i.e., to duck the music when you speak into your microphone.
• Tri-colour TRAFFIC LIGHT CUES give a clear indication on the momentary open/closed/hold state of the gate.
• Use the MID/SIDE processing options to trigger the gate in creative ways or gate only the mono or stereo components on the signal.
• SIDECHAIN and GATE audition modes.
• Apple M1 processor compatible.