Marianne Martinez
Panning is the process of positioning instruments on a virtual stage to create a sense of depth and directionality in a mix. VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library) instruments are known for their high quality and versatility, and are often used in orchestral music production. The VSL PowerPan Pro tool is specifically designed for stage positioning of instruments, allowing users to balance signals and adjust stereo width and position. However, some users have reported issues with panning certain instruments, such as flutes, which may require additional adjustments or workarounds. Overall, VSL instruments are considered a good investment, with positive reviews highlighting their dry approach, nuanced sound, and compatibility with various production styles.
Characteristics of VSL Instruments
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Panning | Used for positioning instruments on a virtual stage |
| Panning is not just right to left but also about placing them at the right depth in the room | |
| PowerPan Pro is a tool for stage positioning of instruments | |
| PowerPan Pro comes with 4 tools for balancing a signal | |
| PowerPan Pro shows the acoustical position in the stereo field | |
| Panning is about taking real-life listening experiences into account | |
| Panning is done by creating individual channels for each instrument within a given section | |
| Panning is also done by creating separate stereo buses for each section | |
| Panning is also done by routing all instruments within each section to its own bus | |
| Panning is also done by using the pan control on the individual instrument channels | |
| Panning is also done by leaving the section buses panned to full width | |
| Panning is also done by inserting stereo->stereo reverb across each of the busses | |
| Panning is also done by not applying any further panning | |
| Flute panning is a common issue | |
| VSL instruments are still good and worth the price | |
| VSL instruments have Synchronized versions |
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What You'll Learn
VSL instruments are worth the price
VSL instruments are definitely worth the price. VSL instruments have been around for a while and have consistently been regarded as amazing. They are known for their dry approach in the VI, which allows for additional blending of reverbs and FX. The Solo Strings are incredible and easily stand out. The more specialized Brass and Woodwinds are also great and can become very musical with the right FX. The VI Pro player is very advanced and can create nuances, keeping the instruments clean and contained.
The Synchronized versions of the VSL instruments are also a great option and come with additional instruments and articulations. The Synchronized Special Editions 1 and 1+ are worth buying, as they work in the Synchron Player and come with the old edition, which works in the old Vienna sampler. The Synchronized versions also include the Synchron Piano Player, which gives access to the SYized SE 1 included Concert D Lite.
The VSL Synchron Steinway piano is also highly recommended for those looking for a decent piano. The Orchestral Strings are also a good choice, as they offer a contrast to the CSS/Pacific style. The additional patches and dynamic layers add noticeable perceived differences in practice.
Overall, VSL instruments are worth the price for their quality, versatility, and the advanced features offered by the VI Pro player and Synchronized versions. The positive testimonials and long-standing reputation of VSL instruments further solidify their value.
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PowerPan Pro tool for stage positioning
Panning is an important aspect of creating music, especially when it comes to orchestral music. Positioning instruments on a virtual stage is not just about positioning them from right to left, but also about placing them at the right depth in the room. For instance, if the whole orchestra is heard from a distance, the positions of the instruments seem more centred, and the far left and far right are omitted.
The PowerPan Pro is a tool for stage positioning of instruments, featuring real-time audio angular analysis. It comes with four powerful tools for balancing a signal, each being simultaneously available and applied in relation to the main balance parameter. The four tools are:
- SPEAKER 1 / Phase Invert: Select the Channel 1 speaker (green), and click the Phase Invert icon to invert the phase of Channel 1.
- SPEAKER 2 / Phase Invert: Select the Channel 2 speaker (red), and click the Phase Invert icon to invert the phase of Channel 2.
- SWAP: Swap Channel 1 and 2 outputs. Not displayed in the Power Pan Display.
- POWER PAN DISPLAY: This shows the signal's acoustical position in the stereo field – the two handles in green (Speaker 1) and red (Speaker 2) let you adjust the stereo width and position.
The workflow for PowerPan Pro is to first set how much of each panning effect should be in use, and then adjust the balance slider to find the right position.
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Panning and reverb in Vienna Ensemble
Panning and reverb are essential techniques in music production and audio engineering, and the Vienna Ensemble (VE) offers tools to help you achieve the desired soundstage and spatial effects. Panning refers to the process of positioning individual sounds or instruments in a stereo or multi-channel mix, while reverb adds depth and simulates the acoustic characteristics of a physical space.
When working with VE, creating individual channels for each instrument within a section is the first step. This allows for precise control over the panning and reverb effects for each instrument. For example, you can create separate channels for various first violin articulations, such as staccato, legato, and pizzicato.
The next step is to create stereo buses for each instrument section, such as first violins, second violins, and violas. This helps organise the mix and ensures that the instruments within each section are grouped together. After that, you can route all the instruments within a section to their corresponding bus.
Now comes the panning part. You can use the pan control on the individual instrument channels to position them correctly on the virtual stage. For instance, you can pan the staccato first violins slightly to the left, while keeping the legato and pizzicato first violins centred or slightly to the right. This creates a sense of width and depth in the mix.
Regarding reverb, it is advisable to leave the section buses panned to full width. You can then insert a stereo-to-stereo reverb plugin across each of the buses. This adds a sense of space and ambiance to the instruments within that section. By applying reverb after panning, you ensure that the reverb responds naturally to the positioning of the instruments on the virtual stage.
Additionally, VE users can benefit from tools like PowerPan Pro, which is part of the Vienna Symphonic Library. PowerPan Pro offers advanced panning capabilities, allowing you to fine-tune the stage positioning of instruments. It provides features such as real-time audio angular analysis, balance modes, and width control, enabling you to create a more immersive and accurate spatial representation of your instruments.
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Flute panning
Panning is a crucial aspect of creating a realistic and immersive listening experience, as it involves positioning instruments on a virtual stage to mimic the acoustics of a physical performance space. Flute panning, specifically within the context of VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library), presents some unique challenges and considerations.
One common issue encountered in VSL flute panning is the perception of drift or slight alterations in panning when using different velocity levels or reverb. This issue is particularly noticeable with solo flute lines, where velocity crossfades can cause phasing problems. To address this, it is recommended to experiment with Expression and Attack settings, as they may provide a more effective solution. Additionally, ensuring that the music has sufficient "room and air" can help diminish the problem of instruments moving in the virtual space.
The choice of panning tools also plays a significant role in achieving the desired flute panning effect. VSL offers the PowerPan Pro tool, which is specifically designed for stage positioning of instruments and provides real-time audio angular analysis. By collapsing the stereo image, PowerPan Pro prevents the loss of audio information, which commonly occurs when using traditional balance faders that simply lower the volume of one side of the signal. PowerPan Pro offers various features, including Phase Invert, SWAP, and the ability to adjust stereo width and position, providing a more nuanced control over the panning effect.
Another aspect to consider in flute panning is the depth of the instrument within the virtual space. It is important to remember that panning is not just about positioning instruments from left to right but also about placing them at the appropriate depth in the room. This depth affects the overall mix, with more distant instruments sounding closer together, and the entire orchestra heard from a distance creating a more centred effect, omitting the far left and far right positions.
In conclusion, achieving effective flute panning in VSL involves addressing specific challenges, such as drift caused by velocity levels and reverb, utilising appropriate tools like PowerPan Pro, and carefully considering the depth and positioning of the flute within the virtual stage to create a natural and immersive listening experience. User feedback on VSL forums also highlights the intricacies of flute panning, with some users encountering challenges and seeking advice while others share successful strategies.
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Orchestral strings
The VSL Vienna Dimension Strings is a massive string ensembles library with individual player control. It is the latest development in VSL's product line. The Dimension Strings cellos were expected to be released next, followed by violas and double basses. The full Dimension Strings library was expected to contain over a million samples, bringing the company's total sample count to around 2.3 million. This vast compendium covers every instrument and ensemble of the symphony orchestra and many more in unprecedented detail.
The Vienna Symphonic Library's Studio Orchestral Strings offers an exceptional number of articulations with utmost sonic clarity and flexibility. These meticulously sampled ensembles can be placed in any acoustic environment. The collection captures the precision and lively energy of these ensembles with striking authenticity.
VSL MIRx is a plugin that can be used to place orchestral instruments that aren't pre-panned. However, it only works with VSL products. MIR Pro, on the other hand, works with any company's instruments and audio files and clearly displays the seating chart, but it is quite expensive. Auburn's Panagement 2 is another option that is both clear and intuitive.
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Frequently asked questions
Panning is the process of positioning instruments on a virtual stage. It involves placing instruments at the right depth in a room, as well as positioning them from right to left.
VSL stands for Vienna Symphonic Library. It is a company that creates tools for music production, such as the PowerPan Pro, which is used for stage positioning of instruments.
To pan instruments in VSL, you can use the PowerPan Pro tool, which allows you to balance a signal and adjust the stereo width and position of each instrument. You can also use other tools such as the Waves Stereo panner or cubase to reduce the stereo image and create more room and air in your mix.
Yes, one common issue with panning in VSL is that distant instruments can be panned too far to the left or right, which can sound unnatural. Another issue is that some instruments, such as flutes, may pan towards the end of a piece unintentionally.
