I'm doing a kids stage production this week, with a few area mics and a few lavaliers. I'm wondering if I should apply a gate to any of the mics. Most of what I read says not to gate vocals, but that's in reference to bands. Normally I just try to keep the mics down that aren't being used, but it's easy to miss a queue when you're not familiar with the show. My thought here is that I might be able to keep the mics up if they are gated. But finding the right threshold might be tough since some performers are quiet. I've heard an expander is a better way to go than a gate, but the equipment I'll be using doesn't have that option.
Maybe my best option is just to leave the faders halfway up when they aren't being used.
Maybe my best option is just to leave the faders halfway up when they aren't being used.