Ella Walter
Panning drums can give a song a spacious and impressive sound. The pan pot (panoramic potentiometer) is a volume control that splits the audio signal into the left and right channels. There are two main perspectives to pan from: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. The kick drum should always be in the centre, while the snare can be left without panning, or placed slightly off-centre. Hi-hats, cymbals, and percussion can be panned a little to the right or left of centre, while more exotic percussion like bongos and congas can be panned more radically. Hard panning involves placing sounds completely to one side, and while this can be done with some instruments, it is generally not recommended for drums as it can sound messy and confusing.
Characteristics and Values of Hard Panning Drums
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kick Drum | Always panned at the centre |
| Snare | Some prefer it at the centre, others prefer it off-centre |
| Overheads | Can be panned hard left and right for a wider spread, or less drastically left and right for a less open stereo image |
| Hi-hat | Can be panned to the right or left from the centre, or to the far right from the drummer's perspective |
| Floor tom | Can be panned 50% left or right for a wide-spread sound, or 30% left |
| Rack toms | Can be panned by less than 20% on each side, or 15% left and right |
| Cymbals, tambourines, shakers, and other percussion | Can be panned a little to the right and/or left from the centre, or hard left or right |
| Melodic and exotic percussion (e.g., toms, bongos, congas) | Can be panned between 45% and 90% on either side |
| Claps | One in the middle, another left, and another right |
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What You'll Learn
Kick drums should be panned centre
Panning is a technique that uses a "pan pot" (panoramic potentiometer) to control the volume of left and right audio channels. Panning drums can be done from two perspectives: the audience's perspective and the drummer's perspective. The former involves panning the drums in the direction of how the audience would hear the sounds if the drummer were playing in front of them. The latter is the opposite, where the drums are panned as the drummer would hear them while playing.
Kick drums should always be panned centre or dead at 0 on the stereo image. This is because the kick drum is one of the most important rhythmic elements of a song and panning it elsewhere can sound confusing. Keeping the kick drum in the centre ensures it remains at the core of the beat.
While the kick drum is usually kept in the centre, there are different approaches to panning the snare drum. Some prefer to keep the snare drum in the centre with the kick drum, while others like to place it slightly off-centre to make it stand out more and give it more room to breathe. However, placing the snare too far left or right can cause it to compete with other elements like guitars or vocals for space in the middle.
For overheads, some prefer to pan them hard left and right (7:00 and 5:00 or 100% L and R) for a wider stereo image, while others prefer a less open stereo image with the overheads panned less drastically left and right (8:00 and 4:00 or 50% L and R). Cymbals, tambourines and shakers should be panned slightly to the right or left of centre, while the hi-hat can be panned farther to the right to make the kit sound more spacious. Toms can be panned in various ways depending on the desired effect, but panning them too hard can sound artificial.
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Snare drums are usually centred, but can be panned
Panning refers to the distribution of stereo or mono tracks across the left and right channels of a stereo field. The "pan pot" (panoramic potentiometer) is a volume control that adjusts the volume of the left and right speakers.
Snare drums are typically centred in the mix, but they can be slightly panned to the left or right. For example, a producer who is also a drummer may prefer to pan the snare to the left because that is how they hear it from behind their kit. Some people prefer to pan the snare to one side to create a sense of 3D or to separate it from other mid-range instruments.
There are two main perspectives for panning drums: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. From the drummer's perspective, the snare drum is usually centred between the drummer's legs, but when recording with overheads, the snare may be placed to one side. From the audience's perspective, the snare drum will typically be in the centre, but it can be panned to one side in the mix.
The panning of the snare drum can also depend on the genre of music. For example, in rock, pop, and punk music, the snare is typically centred, while in rap and indie music, it may be panned slightly to the left.
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Panning from the drummer's perspective
Panning is a technique used to create a stereo image by distributing audio signals across the left and right channels of a stereo field. The "pan pot" (panoramic potentiometer) controls the volume of each channel, allowing for creative control over the placement of instruments in the stereo image.
From a drummer's perspective, panning involves positioning the various drum elements in the stereo field relative to the physical setup of the drum kit. Here are some insights into panning specific drum elements:
Kick Drum: The kick drum is typically placed in the centre (12:00) of the stereo image and is not usually hard panned. This is because it serves as the foundational element of the rhythm and should remain at the core.
Snare Drum: Opinions vary on snare panning. Some producers prefer to keep the snare in the centre, while others like to pan it slightly off-centre to give it more room in the mix. If you do choose to pan the snare, ensure it doesn't conflict with other instruments in the same frequency range.
Hi-Hat: The hi-hat is often placed to the left or right of the centre, depending on the drummer's perspective. Some drummers prefer a harder pan for the hi-hat, while others opt for a more moderate pan between 10-30% to the left or right.
Toms: For floor toms, a pan of around 30% to the left or right is common, while rack toms are usually panned less than 20% on each side. If you're using direct mics for toms, a 50% pan left and right can work well. For a more exotic and melodic feel, you can experiment with more radical panning between 45-90% on either side.
Cymbals, Tambourines, and Shakers: These percussion elements are typically panned slightly to the left or right of centre, anywhere between 10-30%. Panning them to the opposite side of the hi-hat can create a nice balance and a more spacious-sounding kit.
It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to panning. Experimentation is key, and you may find that breaking the rules leads to unique and interesting results. Additionally, the specific panning values may depend on the positioning of other instruments in the mix and the desired stereo image.
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Panning from the audience's perspective
Panning is a crucial technique in music production and audio mixing that helps create immersive listening experiences. It involves positioning sounds at particular locations in the stereo image of a mix, enhancing the auditory perspective and overall listener engagement. When it comes to panning from the audience's perspective, also known as the listener's perspective, here are some key considerations:
Firstly, the kick drum is typically placed in the centre of the stereo field, acting as the core of the beat. This central position ensures that it doesn't require any panning. Similarly, the snare drum is often kept in the centre as well, providing an anchor for the rhythm and overall vibe of the mix. However, some producers prefer to place the snare slightly off-centre, such as at the 7 or 9 o'clock position, to make it stand out and sound more aggressive.
For other drums and percussions, such as toms, cymbals, and bongos, panning plays a crucial role in creating a wide and full sound. By panning these instruments on either side of the stereo image, you can achieve a more interesting and immersive stereo image. For example, panning the floor tom at 50% to the left or right and then panning the rack toms by less than 20% on each side will create a great stereo effect during fills.
Additionally, the hi-hat can be panned from the audience's perspective, typically about 30% to the right, simulating where it would be heard in a live setting. This adds to the overall depth and realism of the mix, making it feel more 'alive'. It's important to note that these panning decisions can vary depending on the desired effect and the specific arrangement of the drum kit.
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Panning hi-hats, cymbals, and percussion
There are two main perspectives to consider when panning drums: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. From the drummer's perspective, the hi-hat is usually to the left, while the crash/ride is slightly to the right. This can be reversed for the audience's perspective. Drummers may prefer this style as it feels more natural to them.
When panning hi-hats, cymbals, and percussion, it is recommended to keep the kick and snare drums in the centre without any panning. This ensures that the most impactful elements remain at the core of the beat. For a bigger stereo image, the hi-hat can be panned slightly farther away from the centre to the right side. For hip-hop and electronic tracks, panning hats 30-50% away from the centre is a common technique. Some mixers may also choose to hardpan hi-hats or experiment with different stereo locations.
For more melodic and exotic percussion instruments, such as toms, bongos, and congas, a more radical panning approach can be taken, ranging from 45% to 90% on either side. This creates a wider and more spacious sound. It is important to note that panning is not a one-size-fits-all process, and experimentation is encouraged to find the right balance for the desired result.
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Frequently asked questions
The "pan pot" (panoramic potentiometer) is a volume control that splits the audio signal into the left and right channels. If you turn it left, the pot lifts the left speaker’s volume and turns down the volume of the right speaker simultaneously.
You can pan drums from two different perspectives: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. The latter means the drums will be panned in the direction of how the audience would hear these sounds if a drummer were playing in front of them.
It's important to pan your kit to match how your kit looks, especially if you're editing audio for a drum cover. The kick drum should always be in the centre of your stereo image. The snare can also be left without panning, but most people like to place it to the right or left of the centre.
Layer three equal drum sounds on top of each other and pan one of them close to the far right, one of them close to the far left, and leave one exactly in the middle. This will create a very spacious and impressive sound.
Some people prefer to go less drastically left and right to get a less open stereo image. Others prefer panning drums to give the song "extra sauce" and more room to work with. Ultimately, it depends on what you think sounds good, as there is no right or wrong way to pan drums.
