Since we are on this topic, my personal opinion on how to make GOLD runs more achievable and not a Grindfest (due to the same map over and over again) for us LYN forumers :

FRIENDS
1. Go to the first post on this forum.
- There is a list of forumers who are on PSN. I have personally played with neonnw, Arby_Vakarian, guanyi, dkliew_US and unrealweapon
- Send them a request to be added to their PSN friend's list
- That way if we see us online, you can request that we invite you into our multiplaya games. Beats playing with random pubbies 

COMMUNICATION
1. If you don't have a headset, no worries. Just listen and follow the direction/warnings that the other players are providing. I think a majority of us who do GOLD runs know what we are doing 
2. Each mission can be made easier if the foursome agree that the biotic/tech powers and weapons that would be best for that opponent is covered. For example, it would be easier to finish the mission if you have an Asari Adept with Bubble Stasis against Cerberus since all Cerberus enemies except the Mech's are vulnerable to it.

TACTICS
1. Surviving GOLD is mainly about finding the best spot to camp and survive the oncoming hordes. It is not about going out and looking for the enemy.
- Even for Assasination missions the targets normally come to you 8 out of 10 times
- For activate/deactivate missions, if you have an infiltrator on your team ( see COMMUNICATION section, point 2 ) get them to cloak and activate/deactivate
- For Hack missions, that is the only time you have to leave your camping spot if the Hack objective is not where you are currently camped.

2.  The maps are mainly predictable on where the best defensible positions can be found. They are normally accross the map from where you spawn :
Firebase White : From the landing pad head to the lowest level of the map where the big room is located.
Firebase Glacier : Head towards the right from where you spawn, again the lowest area of the map is the best camping area
Firebase Reactor : Head directly straight from the spawning area through the room with the glowing red light in the ceiling to the other side
Firebase Ghost : From the spawning area, head straight accross to the building that is flanked by 2 other buildings and a courtyard in front
Firebase Hydra : From the spawning area, head to the top left hand corner of the map. It is a narrow corridor that leads to a room with the Blue Globe.
Firebase Condor : This one I have not tried but the hill at the top of the map is the most defensible but a lack of ammo boxes nearby makes this dicey.
Firebase Dagger : This is the only one that is abit different. The bridge in the middle of the map is probably the most defensible but the sheer openess of the map is an advantage as well because you can split up and regroup again if things get abit hairy.

3. If you make it to wave 11, stay at your current defensive position until about 30 seconds remain on the clock. At that point, storm to the extraction zone and you will find that it should be clear of enemies which will make the remaining 20 seconds or so easy to bear.

My experience for picking these areas ( except Firebase White which is common knowledge ) is because these areas provide alot of cover as well as limit the entrances you need to keep an eye on (2 and not more than 3)