Creating A Panning Effect: Logic's Auto-Panner Explained

Panning is a simple concept: we don't always have to hear the same thing in both the left and right channels. Logic Pro X offers three types of panning: stereo pan, balance, and binaural pan. To access these, you right-click the panner in the mixer window. Balance is used for mono tracks, while stereo pan is used for stereo tracks. Binaural pan is used for more complicated panning arrangements and is best experienced on headphones. To achieve true stereo panning, you can use the Logic pan pot to place instruments left to right and anywhere in between. You can also automate panning within a track.

Panning instruments in Logic Pro X

Step 1: Understanding Panning

Panning is a fundamental technique in music production that allows you to position audio tracks in a virtual space, creating a rich and dynamic atmosphere in your song. It gives the effect that different tracks are coming from different areas around the listener's head, especially noticeable when using stereo headphones.

Step 2: Locate the Pan/Balance Knob

In Logic Pro X, you can always find the pan/balance knob regardless of your track type. This knob can be found in three places: in the track header area, by pressing "I" on your keyboard to open the inspector menu, or by opening the mixer by pressing "X".

Step 3: Panning Mono Tracks

With mono tracks, panning is straightforward. You have a single audio channel that can be positioned to the left or right according to your preference. Simply click and drag vertically on the pan/balance knob to adjust the track's position in the stereo field. Dragging down will pan the track to the left, while dragging up will pan it to the right.

Step 4: Panning Stereo Tracks

Stereo tracks are a bit more complex as they have two separate audio signals coming from the left and right channels. Logic Pro X offers two options for panning stereo tracks: "Balance" and "Stereo Pan". By default, the pan knob is set to "Balance". To change it to "Stereo Pan", control-click on the pan/balance knob either from the inspector menu or the mixer.

Step 5: Understanding the Differences

When using "Balance" on a stereo track and panning it to the left, Logic reduces the volume of the right channel. This can be undesirable as it mutes all the information from the other side. With "Stereo Pan", you are summing both left and right channels to the panned side. Keep in mind that this will increase the volume, so you may need to adjust the gain levels to avoid clipping.

Step 6: Binaural Panning

Logic Pro X also offers a "Binaural Panner" feature for both mono and stereo tracks. This allows you to reposition the source of your signal in a three-dimensional space. To access this feature, control-click on the pan/balance knob and select "Binaural Panning". A circular map will appear, with the listener presumed to be at the center looking up. You can adjust the position of your audio source by moving it within this circle, changing both its distance and elevation.

Step 7: Experiment and Create

Panning is a creative tool that allows you to separate instruments and make your mix clearer. Feel free to experiment with different panning positions and techniques to create an immersive, multi-dimensional experience for your listeners. You can even use automation to move signals around dynamically within your project.

Mono vs. stereo tracks

When it comes to panning in Logic Pro, it's important to understand the difference between mono and stereo tracks. Panning allows you to manipulate the stereo field by placing instruments left, right, or anywhere in between, adding interest to your mixes.

Mono tracks refer to a single audio signal, meaning the audio is coming from one source. In Logic Pro, mono tracks are denoted by a single circle at the top of the Channel Strip, or a single meter on the Channel Strip's meters. Mono tracks offer the benefit of true panning, allowing you to move the entire signal to the left or right side of the stereo field. This can be useful for creating space in your mix, such as placing a guitar hard left and a second guitar hard right.

On the other hand, stereo tracks refer to two channels of audio, with two separate signals. In Logic Pro, stereo tracks are denoted by two circles at the top of the Channel Strip or two meters on the Channel Strip's meters. The panning knob for stereo tracks works differently than for mono tracks. By default, the stereo panning knob is actually a balance knob, allowing you to choose how much of the left or right signal you want to keep. For example, turning the knob all the way to the left mutes the right side instead of panning both sides to the left.

To achieve true stereo panning in Logic Pro, you can use the Direction Mixer plugin, which offers a Direction knob (true stereo panning) and a Stereo Spread knob to adjust the width of the stereo tracks. Alternatively, you can right-click or control-click the stereo panning knob to access three new options: Stereo Pan, Balance, and Binaural Pan. With Stereo Pan, you can truly pan the stereo signal across the stereo field and adjust its width. Balance allows you to adjust the level of the left or right channel, and Binaural Pan is for more complex panning arrangements.

It's important to note that panning mono and stereo tracks serve different purposes. Mono tracks are typically used for individual sounds, such as guitars, kick drums, or bass, which are often kept centred in the mix. Stereo tracks, on the other hand, are useful for creating a sense of space and width in your mix, such as with stereo-recorded keyboards or pads.

Using the Logic pan pot

The Logic pan pot is a powerful tool for expanding the stereo width of your mix. With this feature, you can easily place instruments across the stereo field, from left to right, and anywhere in between. However, it's important to understand the difference between mono and stereo tracks when using the pan pot.

Mono tracks benefit from true panning capabilities. By turning the pan knob to the left or right, you can place the mono signal accordingly in the stereo image. This is a simple and effective way to create space and depth in your mix.

On the other hand, stereo tracks have a slightly different behaviour. The pan knob on a stereo track functions as a balance control by default. This means that turning the knob to the left mutes the right side, and vice versa. To achieve true stereo panning on a stereo track, you need to access the different panning options by right-clicking or ctrl-clicking on the pan pot.

One of the options available is "Stereo Pan". This is what you're looking for to achieve true stereo panning. With Stereo Pan, you can place the stereo signal across the stereo field, just like with a mono track. You can also adjust the width of the stereo signal, making it wider or thinner, by clicking inside the green bar and dragging up or down.

Another option is "Balance", which is perfect for mono sources or if you simply want to leave the stereo signal untouched. This option allows you to balance the levels of the left and right sides of the stereo track.

Additionally, there is a third option called "Binaural", which is best experienced on headphones.

It's important to note that the Logic pan pot doesn't visually indicate whether it's functioning as a Pan Pot or a Stereo Balancer. To spot the difference, pay attention to the volume meter. If you have a single-channel meter, the pan knob is acting as a Pan Pot. If you have a dual-channel meter, it's functioning as a Stereo Balancer.

By understanding the functionality of the Logic pan pot and its different options, you can effectively use it to create captivating and immersive mixes. Whether you're working with mono or stereo tracks, the pan pot provides you with the tools to place your instruments precisely in the stereo field, adding depth and width to your musical creations.

Using the Direction Mixer

The Direction Mixer is a useful tool in Logic Pro for panning stereo tracks. It allows you to adjust the pan position and stereo width of your audio recordings.

To add the Direction Mixer to your project, go to the channel strip Audio Effect plug-in menu and choose Imaging > Direction Mixer.

The Direction Mixer has two main parameters: Direction and Spread. The Direction knob sets the centre of the stereo image. When set to a value of 0, the midpoint of the stereo base in a stereo recording is perfectly centred within the mix. Turning the knob to the left or right will pan the audio accordingly. Values above 90 will swap the left and right channels.

The Spread slider determines the width of the stereo field. A value of 1 is full width, while 0 is mono. Values greater than 1 will widen the stereo image beyond the full range of the pan pot, which can be useful as an effect.

The Direction Mixer also has a frequency splitting mode. By selecting the Split mode, you can independently adjust the stereo spread of two different frequency ranges, as defined by the crossover setting. This can be useful for correcting the stereo image of certain instruments or adjusting the stereo width of specific frequency ranges within a mix.

The Direction Mixer is a powerful tool for manipulating the stereo image of your recordings and creating movement within your mix. It offers more precise control over the stereo field than the basic pan knob, making it a valuable tool for engineers and producers.

Using the Stereo Pan dial

The Stereo Pan dial is used to place instruments left to right and anywhere in between. This is only possible if the tracks are mono. Stereo tracks are a little different.

To check if your track is mono or stereo, look at the top of your Channel Strip or the meters on your Channel Strip. One circle denotes a mono track, and two circles denote a stereo track.

The Stereo Pan dial has three options: Balance, Stereo Pan, and Binaural. Balance is the default option and is used for mono tracks. Stereo Pan is used for stereo tracks and allows you to place the position of the stereo signal across the stereo field. Binaural is for more complicated panning arrangements.

To access the different options, right-click or control-click on the pan pot you want to work with. To adjust the panning of your track, click the centre of the knob and drag left or right. To adjust the stereo width, grab the left or right-most handle.

• To create a unique pad sound, use the Stereo Pan dial to pan one pad to the left, one to the right, and reduce the width of the third pad to make it closer to a mono signal. This will create a new pad sound that is clear of the centre and panned correctly across the stereo field.
• To flip the stereo signal, hold Command and click in the centre of the pan knob. This will reverse the stereo signal.
• To get creative with stereo imaging, send your pads to two different buses with different Delay Designer settings. Stereo pan one to the left and one to the right. This will add interest and movement to your mix while keeping the centre clear.
• To focus your mix, use the Stereo Pan dial to reduce the width of bass sounds from VIs that are too heavy across the stereo field. This will help to create a more focused and mono-compatible mix.

Frequently asked questions