Cody Casey
Panning is a critical component of the mixing process in EDM, allowing producers to create space and depth in their tracks. It involves utilizing the left and right channels of the stereo field to bring the music to life. While there are no hard and fast rules, panning can be used to create sonic pictures, build tension, and convey emotion. Drums, for example, are often panned to create a sense of groove and movement, while leads can be more challenging to pan and are sometimes left in the center of the mix. Ultimately, the choice of how to pan depends on the desired effect and the specific song.
Characteristics and Values of Panning in EDM
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a sense of groove and movement, build tension and release, and make the mix wider and fuller. |
| Stereo field | Wide stereo fields are generally fine, but for high track counts, a more conservative approach may be needed. |
| Drums | The kick drum, snare, and bass are usually kept in the center, while hi-hats, cymbals, and toms can be panned to the left or right to create a sense of groove. |
| Lead instruments | If there is a single layered lead, it is often left in the center. With multiple layers, panning can be used to create space and make the sound bigger. |
| Double-tracked instruments | These can be panned hard left and hard right for effect. |
| Similar frequencies | Instruments with similar frequencies can be panned opposite each other (e.g., 20% left and 20% right) to create a more balanced feel. |
| Low-frequency elements | These are generally kept closer to the center, with anything below 120Hz centered to prevent issues on various playback systems. |
| Analyzer tools | Tools like Voxengo's SPAN Analyzer can help determine the amount of panning needed to create space and depth in the mix. |
| Creative choice | There are no absolute rules for panning in EDM, and it is a creative choice that can be used to convey emotion and tell stories. |
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What You'll Learn
- Panning by priority: kick drum, snare, bass, and vocals are usually in the centre
- Drums are a simple element to start panning and spacing out
- Use plugins to help with stereo width
- Panning decisions should be made at the start of the mixing process
- Panning can be used to create a 3D space and bring your track to life
Panning by priority: kick drum, snare, bass, and vocals are usually in the centre
Panning is the process of placing different elements of a mix within a stereo image. While there are no hard and fast rules for panning, certain conventions are usually followed. The kick drum, for instance, is often placed in the centre of a mix as it provides a foundation for the other elements to move around. Moving the kick drum to either the left or right can make the mix feel lopsided. The snare drum, which works with the kick drum to provide the rhythmic groove of the song, is also usually panned to the centre, though sometimes it's placed slightly off-centre to agree with the overhead mics.
The bass and lead vocals are also typically placed in the centre of a mix. However, this is not always the case, and producers may sometimes experiment with 'funny' panning. For example, one producer describes how they pan the kick drum left, the snare right, the lead vocal mid-left, the bass mid-right, and the guitars right up the middle.
When panning, it's important to keep in mind that our ears tend to focus on signals panned centre, extreme left, or extreme right, with all other points being less distinct and more impressionistic. This means that panning drums can help the listener localise sound, but carelessly panned drums can be disorienting.
Another technique is to pan double-tracked instruments (the same part recorded twice, for effect) hard left and hard right. This works well with heavy electric guitars and can also be used with EDM synths and saxophones.
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Drums are a simple element to start panning and spacing out
Panning and spacing out drums in EDM can be a simple yet creative process. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are some conventions and guidelines that can help you achieve a desired effect.
A good starting point is to keep the kick drum and snare in the centre of the mix. This is a widely adopted practice, as the kick drum provides the foundation and drive of the rhythm, acting as the 'heartbeat' of your track. By keeping it central, you ensure the power and impact are evenly distributed across the stereo field. The same principle can be applied to the snare, keeping it relatively centred to maintain impact.
From here, you can start to play with panning other drum elements to create a sense of spatial location and depth. For example, if you have some high-hat sounds panned to the right, try panning other upper-frequency percussion elements to the left to strike a balance. You can also use toms for fills and create a nice groove by spacing them out from left to right, adding a three-dimensional quality to your drum rolls.
It's important to remember that panning decisions are creative choices and there is no single correct way to approach it. The key is to experiment and find what works best for your particular track, keeping in mind the overall emotion and story you want to convey.
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Use plugins to help with stereo width
While it's important to employ proper mixing techniques, such as panning, plugins can be incredibly useful for enhancing stereo width in your EDM productions.
One such plugin is the iZotope Stereo Imager, which allows you to create multiple bands and control the width of each band separately. This plugin is particularly effective when used with sounds that already have stereo information. It's important to use stereo imagers with caution, as they can quickly cause more harm than good if you don't pay attention to the phase of your sounds.
Another plugin to consider is the BX Stereomaker, which can convert a mono signal into stereo without changing the overall shape of the sound or causing phasing issues in mono.
If you're looking for a plugin that emulates classic recording gear, Soundtoys' MicroShift is an excellent option. It includes sonic characteristics of vintage pitch-shifting units, such as the Eventide H3000 and the AMS DMX 15-80s. MicroShift is simple to use, with buttons for three unique styles and knobs for mix, focus, detune, and delay.
For a free option, check out A1 Stereo Control, which lets you adjust stereo wideness. Another free plugin is MSED, a mid/side mixer with inverting and panning functions that won't interfere with the mono signal.
Additionally, Leapwing's StageOne and CenterOne plugins offer impressive control over the sense of space in your mixes. StageOne features width, depth, and mono spread modules, while CenterOne allows you to adjust the phantom centre of a stereo source and separate the centre and side signals.
Lastly, Timeless 3, while technically a delay plugin, can be used to make your tracks sound wide and deep. It includes a "ping-pong" mode, which creates a delay that alternates between channels, creating super-wide delays without clouding the centre.
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Panning decisions should be made at the start of the mixing process
Panning decisions are crucial in the mixing process for EDM. While there are no absolute rules, making these choices at the start can help create a solid foundation for your mix. Here's why:
Firstly, panning is a powerful tool for creating space and depth in your mix. By utilising the left and right channels of the stereo field, you can give your track a three-dimensional feel, making it sound wider and fuller. This is especially important in EDM, where maintaining space between elements can make or break your track. Starting with panning decisions early allows you to shape this space intentionally from the outset.
Secondly, panning choices impact the overall balance of your mix. At the beginning of the mixing process, it's helpful to pan everything to the centre to get a sense of the balance. From there, you can decide which elements need emphasis and experiment with panning them to the sides. This approach ensures that your mix remains cohesive while highlighting specific parts.
Additionally, panning decisions can affect the emotion conveyed by your music. For example, panning drums in different ways can either emphasise their power or create a sense of groove. Deciding on panning early helps you intentionally craft the desired emotional impact.
Furthermore, panning choices can influence the perception of volume. Panning elements to the sides can make them sound louder, allowing you to adjust gain and create dynamic contrasts within your mix. Making these decisions at the start helps you fine-tune the overall volume landscape.
Finally, while there is no one-size-fits-all approach to panning, it's important to consider the context in which your music will be heard. EDM is often played in clubs, where sound systems are often mono. Keeping this in mind from the start can guide your panning decisions to ensure your mix translates well across different systems.
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Panning can be used to create a 3D space and bring your track to life
Panning is a creative choice that can be used to create a 3D space and bring your track to life. It is a simple way to create more space and depth within your mix. The left and right channels of the stereo field are used in panning, and by balancing levels and optimising panning in both channels, you can create a 3-dimensional space.
There are no hard and fast rules for panning, but some tips can help you achieve a wide, full-sounding mix quickly. For example, the kick drum, snare, bass, and vocals often sit in the middle of a mix, and everything else can be panned as required. If you want to create a sense of groove, you can try panning your drums all over, keeping them together in the centre, and panning your synths out of the way. This will help the groove feel stronger.
If you have two instruments occupying similar frequencies, try panning them opposite to one another, say 20% left and 20% right. This will create a more balanced feel. You can also try panning hi-hats from left to right to build a good drive to your drums.
In electronic music, the kick drum, bassline, vocals, and snare drum are almost always panned centrally. As a general rule, keep your low-frequency elements panned closer to the centre. This tightens up your mix and creates a solid "core" to work from.
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Frequently asked questions
Panning is the utilization of the left and right channels of the stereo field. It is used to create a 3-dimensional space that brings your track to life.
There is no right or wrong way to approach panning. Some tips include panning by priority, i.e., placing the kick drum, bass, and vocals in the center, and gradually assigning pan positions to other tracks. You can also try panning similar frequencies opposite to one another, for example, 20% left and 20% right.
One common mistake is assuming that everything needs to be panned. It is important to gradually assign pan positions and focus on emphasizing certain elements. Additionally, remember that people in clubs mostly hear in mono sound, so leaving everything in the center may be more appropriate for certain EDM tracks.
Drums are a great element to start panning and spacing out. You can create a sense of groove and movement by spacing out your hi-hats, snare, cymbals, and toms. Panning your drums can also help convey a groove and make it stand out in the mix.
Analyzer tools, such as Voxengo's SPAN Analyzer, can help you visualize the mid/side signal of your track and make more informed panning decisions. Plugins like Neutron 5 and Ozone 10 Advanced can also provide you with more control over your panning and stereo width.
