A gating group allows you to control the way that microphones behave in relation to one another. They offer control over which microphones are allowed to be used at one time. Limiting and controlling the microphones as a group allows an audio system to optimise gain before feedback whereby less optimum or excessive microphones are removed or given a specific priority.


Gating groups are in addition to the gating settings on the microphones themselves.


Once a CP2 device has been added to the configuration (please see other articles for the relevant steps), the FlowView will allow the addition of 'Gating Groups' in the 'Resources' window:



There are a total of 8 gating groups available with any CP2. Creating additional partitions with the same unit does not increase the quantity of gating groups.


A microphone can be added to a gating group by dragging the faded green gating symbol on to the equivalent symbol on the gating group. Alternatively, within the gating group settings window, there is an option to add microphones which are presently placed in the configuration window.




You can alternatively drag the microphones in to the open window of the gating group.


You can remove a microphone from a gating group by opening the gating group in FlowView, selecting the microphone and pressing the 'Delete' key. Alternatively, within the gating group settings window, there is an option to remove microphones.



Once a gating group has been created, you can edit the settings via the 'Gating Groups' option which is accessible via the appropriate icon in the tool bar above the canvas:



You must be in the appropriate partition with a gating block in it to view the gating group options, otherwise it will claim there are no gating groups configured:




Once successfully viewing the gating group window, you will see that there are various options which can be set per available groups:



First Mic Priority determines whether the first microphone which is activated within the group takes priority. It will not necessarily be the only microphone which is active as this is dependent on the other settings. The first activated microphone will remain on until it no longer has a perceived signal. It is recommended to enable this setting to improve intelligibility of the system. It defaults as on.


Max Number Mics On determines the quantity of microphones which are allowed to be activated within the group at one time. It is not suggested to have too many microphones open at one time to limit excess noise. Around 3 or 4 is recommended.


Last Mic Priority works in a similar manner to 'First Mic Priority'. Essentially, any new microphones which are activated within the open limits will take priority and remain gated on. This avoid an uncomfortable silence being sent to a far end. Defaults as off.


NOM (Number of open mics) maintains a consistent gain to the output no matter how many microphones are activated at one time. This means the far end audio would not vary whatsoever.


Within the 'Gating Groups' window it is possible to change the settings of any available preset per partition. It is important to remember that creating a new preset will not directly copy microphones in to same gating group on the new preset, therefore the microphones will need to be re-added.


When a partition is selected which has a combination of rooms, you will be able to add microphones which are available in each of the relevant rooms.