Emilie Meyer
When it comes to panning drums, there are two main perspectives to consider: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. Panning refers to the stereo positioning of sounds, where the kick drum and sometimes the snare drum are usually in the centre and don't require panning. The drummer's perspective involves placing the drums in the left or right channel based on how the drummer would hear them while playing. Many drummers prefer this style as it sounds more natural to them. The audience's perspective, also known as the listener's perspective, involves panning the drums towards the direction of how the audience would hear the sounds if the drummer were playing in front of them. There is no correct answer, and the choice depends on the desired sonic portrait and personal preference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of perspectives | 2 |
| Name of perspectives | Drummer's perspective, Audience's perspective |
| Drummer's perspective | Panning from left to right as seen by the drummer |
| Audience's perspective | Panning from the direction of the audience |
| Preference | Depends on the drummer's choice, engineers prefer the audience's perspective |
| Kick drum | Always panned at the center |
| Snare drum | Can be kept at the center or moved to the right |
| Hi-hat | Can be placed on the left or right depending on the drummer's handedness |
| Tom | Can be panned on either side of the stereo image |
| Variation in panning | Panning can be varied per song |
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What You'll Learn
The difference between drums in mono and stereo
When it comes to panning drums, the two most common perspectives are the drummer's and the audience's. From the drummer's perspective, the hi-hat is on the left and the floor tom on the right. This is the preferred style for many drummers as it sounds more natural to them. However, from the audience's perspective, the setup is reversed, with the hi-hat on the right and the floor tom on the left.
The kick drum is typically kept in the centre of the stereo field and does not require panning. The snare drum's placement is more flexible and can be either in the centre with the kick drum or slightly to the right, depending on the desired impact and focus.
When it comes to toms, cymbals, and other percussion instruments, they are usually panned on either side of the stereo image to create a wide and open sound. This can be done according to the drummer's or audience's perspective, depending on the desired effect.
Some engineers prefer to pan from the audience's perspective as it provides a more authentic live performance feel for the listener. However, others argue that since there are no visuals when listening to recorded music, panning can be a matter of personal preference.
Ultimately, the choice between mono and stereo for drums depends on the specific requirements of the song and the desired impact. While mono drums provide a solid and focused sound, stereo drums create a sense of directionality and space, filling the entire room with sound.
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How to pan hi-hats
There are two main perspectives to consider when panning hi-hats: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective.
Drummer's Perspective
When panning hi-hats from the drummer's perspective, they are typically placed on the far left. This is because it sounds more natural to the drummer, as they would hear the hi-hat in their left ear while playing.
Audience's Perspective
From the audience's perspective, the hi-hat is usually placed on the right side of the stereo image, as this is how the audience would typically hear it during a live performance. However, some people may choose to pan the hi-hat to the centre or vary the panning from mix to mix.
Technical Considerations
When panning hi-hats, it is important to consider the stereo positioning of the sound. The "pan pot" (panoramic potentiometer) controls the volume of the left and right speakers, allowing you to place the sound in a particular position in the stereo image.
Additionally, panning hi-hats to the sides can make the mix feel wider and more rhythmic, as it draws attention to the elements in the centre. For hip-hop and electronic tracks, a panning range of 30-50% away from the centre is recommended.
Creative Variations
For creative variations, you can try panning a closed hi-hat to one side and an open hi-hat to the other, adding a splash of reverb to keep the output sounding cohesive. This technique can add nice spread and movement to the percussion.
Ultimately, the panning technique will depend on your creative choices and preferences. Experiment with different panning positions and techniques to find what works best for your mix.
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The kick drum and snare drum
The kick drum is the heartbeat of the drum kit and should always be panned in the centre of the stereo field. This means it will be dead at 0 on your stereo image, or 12 o'clock on the clock face technique. This is because the kick drum adds weight to the mix and moving that sonic weight to either the left or right side can make the whole mix feel lopsided.
The snare drum is another foundational element and is most often panned to the centre as well, though it can be placed slightly off-centre, at around 9 or 10 o'clock, or 11 and 1 o'clock, to give it more variance and room to breathe. This is especially useful if you want a bit more size or sustain on your snare. Some engineers prefer to match the snare panning with the overheads mics, which can give a better stereo image.
When panning from the drummer's perspective, the hi-hat is placed on the far left, or about 30% left of centre. This is a more natural style for drummers, but if you are panning from the audience's perspective, the hi-hat should be on the right.
The kick and snare drums form the centreline of the drum kit and should be kept at middle, zero-level. This ensures your mix sounds balanced between the left and right channels, giving cymbals and hi-hats room to sparkle on the sides.
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Overhead mics and stereo overheads
When it comes to overhead mics and stereo overheads, there are a few things to consider when panning from a drummer's perspective.
Firstly, the type of microphone used as an overhead mic is crucial. Cardioid mics are ideal for overhead miking as they pick up sound from one direction, providing a clear representation of what is directly in front of them while rejecting sound from behind. This helps to isolate the drums from other instruments and reduces coloration. Other patterns such as hypercardioid or omnidirectional can also be used, depending on the desired sound and application.
For example, the AKG C214 and Neumann KM184 are popular choices for overhead drum mics due to their cardioid pickup pattern, delivering clear sound with minimal noise. The Lewitt LCT 040 MATCH is another option, offering excellent SPL handling and natural frequency response, making it versatile for various recording scenarios. If budget is not a constraint, the Neumann U87 is considered one of the best-sounding microphones for drum overheads, providing a full and punchy sound.
When panning from the drummer's perspective, the hi-hat is typically placed on the far left, with the floor tom on the right. This arrangement may be reversed for left-handed drummers. The kick drum is usually panned in the centre of the stereo field, along with the snare drum in some cases. Toms, cymbals, and other percussion instruments are then panned on either side of the stereo image, depending on the desired effect.
By paying close attention to the positioning of the overhead mics and panning accordingly, drummers can achieve a wide and open sound that fills the entire room. This technique enhances the stereo effect and creates an immersive experience for the listener. Ultimately, the specific panning values may vary depending on personal preference and the desired sound, so experimentation is encouraged to find the perfect balance.
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Panning drums to match on-screen visuals
When panning drums to match on-screen visuals, there are two main perspectives to consider: the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective. The former involves panning the elements of the drum kit as if you are the drummer sitting at the kit. For a right-handed drummer, this typically means placing the hi-hat on the left and the floor tom on the right. This style is preferred by many drummers as it feels more natural to them.
The latter, the audience's perspective, involves panning the drums towards the direction in which the audience would hear the sounds, with the hi-hat on the right. This is the preferred style of many audio engineers as it provides a more authentic live experience for the listener.
If you are mixing a track to accompany visuals, it may be more suitable to match the on-screen drum positioning, usually from the audience's perspective. However, it is important to note that many videos feature various camera angles, so this may not always be necessary. Additionally, if the drum kit was recorded in the same room as other instruments, you may need to reverse the drum kit's stereo image to achieve a better match.
Ultimately, the choice between the two perspectives depends on your personal preference and the specific requirements of the project. Deciding on the perspective beforehand and labelling your overhead channels accordingly can help prevent confusion during mixing.
To achieve a balanced sound, it is crucial not to lean too heavily towards either side of the mix. Panning drums effectively can make the kit sound bigger, and the interaction between cymbals can add stereo interest to the mix. It can also help localize sound, so it is important to avoid careless panning, which can be disorienting for the listener.
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Frequently asked questions
Panning refers to the stereo positioning of sounds. When you pan a drum, you place it in a particular position in the left or right channel of your stereo image.
The two most common panning perspectives are the drummer's perspective and the audience's perspective.
To pan from the drummer's perspective, you would place the hi-hat on the far right. You would then pan each track as you would hear the kit while playing.
To pan from the audience's perspective, you would place the hi-hat on the right side to keep the sound close to what the audience would typically hear.
There is no correct answer when it comes to choosing a panning perspective. It depends on your personal preference and the creative choices you want to make. You can also vary the panning per song. It is recommended to decide on the panning perspective before recording and to label the overhead channels in your DAW accordingly.
