Cody Casey
Panning individual samples in a drum rack can be done in Ableton by first expanding the drum rack with the arrow on the title bar of the rack. This will reveal the mixing and panning controls for each part of the drum rack. From here, you can adjust the panning for each individual sample. The process of panning drums in Ableton differs depending on whether you are using drum samples or instruments and whether you are working with one or several sounds in a drum rack. The universal knob for panning everything on your audio or MIDI channel is located here: if you turn it to the right, your sound will travel to the right speaker, and vice versa for the left.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Panning options | Pan knobs, panning controls, panning squares, panning envelopes, panning chains, panning simpler, panning internally with LFO |
| Panning directions | Left, right, up the middle |
| Panning percentages | 15% left/right, 30% left/right, 50% left/right, 90% left/right, +/-20% left/right |
| Panning techniques | Drummer's perspective, audience's perspective, matching snare panning with overhead mics, creating dynamics in stereo field's width |
| Panning considerations | Individual sounds may appear louder after panning, adjust levels as needed, kick drum should be centred, snare panning can be centred or off-centre |
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What You'll Learn
Using the pan on the chain
Panning in a drum rack is possible and can be done in a few different ways. One way is to use the pan on the chain. To do this, make the "'chains' section of the drum rack visible." This can be done by first loading a blank rack to a track and showing the chain list. Then, open the chain select editor and separate the chains into different zones, so that each chain has its own zone. Once this is done, you will see a volume and panner for every pad. You can then change, modulate or automate the pan as desired.
Another way to pan individual samples in a drum rack is through the session view. By clicking on the arrow at the top of the drum rack column in session view, the drum rack group will expand to show all of the inside instruments. If your settings are set to show panning in session view, each smaller instrument column inside the drum rack group will have its own square, which will probably have a "C" inside. Clicking and dragging this left or right will adjust the panning, with the number representing the percentage of panning. This can also be automated by drawing on the arrangement view envelopes or by MIDI assigning it to a knob on your controller.
Additionally, when panning, it is important to keep in mind that some things may appear louder due to the use of free space. Therefore, it is important to adjust any levels as required after panning.
Furthermore, there are different approaches to panning drums. One way is from the listener's perspective, where the kit is panned from their point of view, not the drummer's. Another approach is to pan the individual drums to match where they are on the overheads. This can be done by paying attention to the overhead mics and how they are recorded and mixed. For example, the kick drum should always be dead centre, while the snare can be either centred or slightly off-centre.
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Inserting a Utility after the Simpler
To pan individual samples in a drum rack, you must first expand the drum rack. You can do this by clicking on the arrow at the top of the drum rack column in session view. This will reveal all the inside instruments.
From here, you can adjust the panning for each instrument. If you have your settings to show panning in session view, each smaller instrument column will have its own square, likely with a "C" inside. Clicking and dragging this square left or right will adjust the panning.
Another method is to make the "`chains`" section of the drum rack visible. This will display a volume and panner for every pad, which you can then change, modulate, or automate as desired.
Additionally, you can insert a Utility right after the Simpler. This will allow you to adjust the panning for individual samples. To do this:
- Insert a Utility device after the Simpler in the drum rack chain.
- In the Utility device, you will see options for "Stereo Width" and "Pan."
- Adjust the "Pan" knob to the desired position. Moving it to the left will pan the sample to the left, and moving it to the right will pan the sample to the right.
- You can also fine-tune the panning by adjusting the "Stereo Width" knob. Turning it clockwise will widen the stereo image, and turning it counterclockwise will narrow it.
This method provides precise control over the panning of individual samples within the drum rack. Remember that good panning can make a significant difference in the overall sound of your drums, making them feel wide, open, and immersive.
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Using the universal knob for panning
The universal knob for panning everything on your audio or MIDI channel is located here: if you turn it to the right, your sound will travel to the right speaker, and vice versa. However, if you're working with a MIDI channel and a drum rack, you probably have several drum sounds loaded. If you want to change the panning of your hi-hat but leave your kick and snare centred, you can do this:
Firstly, make the "chains" section of the drum rack visible, then you will see a volume and panner for every pad. Change/modulate/automate that pan as you want, and it will only affect the pad/simpler in question. Alternatively, in Simpler, tab over to the other page of controls, and there is a Pan in there. You can also modulate the Pan of the simpler internally with the built-in LFO.
If you're using Ableton, you can expand the drum rack with the arrow on the title bar of the rack. In there, you will find mixing and panning controls for each part of the drum rack. You can also drop a utility plug-in on the individual drum pad and use that to adjust panning and volume.
If you're using Push 2, press the mix button, then the pan button, and along the bottom of the LCD screen, you should see the instrument list. Press the rack button to expand the rack in the mix, and you should have pan knobs for everything in the rack.
When panning, remember that some things may appear louder, especially widely panned toms. Be sure to adjust any levels as required after panning.
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Panning from the listener's perspective
Panning is a crucial aspect of music production that adds depth, width, and a sense of space to your mix, enhancing the listening experience. It involves positioning audio signals within the stereo field, allowing them to appear on the left, right, or anywhere in between, in the listener's headphones or speakers.
When it comes to panning from the listener's perspective, also known as the audience perspective, imagine yourself in front of the band. Visualize where you want the sounds to come from physically and where you want the listeners to locate each element of your mix. This approach is commonly used in traditional band-style mixing, such as rock music, to mimic the live show's sound from the audience's viewpoint.
In this perspective, the kick, bass, snare, and lead vocals are typically placed in the center of the mix. These elements form the foundation of the song and are intended to hit the listener straight on. The hi-hat would be placed to the left, and the toms would progressively move to the right, creating a stereo effect.
It's important to note that panning choices are highly subjective, and there is room for creativity. While some elements like the kick drum are usually kept in the center, you can experiment with panning the snare slightly off-center to give it more room in the mix. Additionally, panning techniques like psychoacoustic panning can be used to create immersive effects, such as making a vocal sample seem to come from different directions.
By skillfully using panning techniques, you can transport the listener into the heart of the music, creating a dynamic and engaging soundscape that enhances the overall listening experience.
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Panning the kick drum
Panning a kick drum is a straightforward process. The kick drum is always panned in the centre of the stereo field, at 0 or 12:00. This is because if the kick drum is panned off-centre, it adds weight to one side, making the listener feel off-balance. The kick drum is the most impactful element of the drums and should remain at the core of the beat. It is one of the heavier elements of the mix and is usually kept in the centre, along with the snare, to ensure the mix sounds balanced between the left and right channels.
There are two different ways to pan drums. The first is from the listener's perspective, also known as the audience's perspective. This means picturing someone facing you while watching you play and panning the kit from their perspective, not yours. This is the preferred method of most audio engineers as it would be more like listening to the band live for the listener. The second way to pan drums is from the drummer's perspective, from left to right as the drummer sees it. This is the preferred method of most drummers when mixing a full track.
It is important to note that when panning, some things may appear louder, especially widely panned toms. You should adjust any levels as required after panning. Additionally, it is important to pan your kit to match how your kit looks, especially if you are editing audio for a drum cover.
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Frequently asked questions
In session view, expand the drum rack with the arrow on the title bar of the rack. You will then find mixing and panning controls for each part of the drum rack. You can also press the 'mix' button, then the 'pan' button, and press the 'rack' button to expand the rack in the mix. This will give you pan knobs for everything in the rack.
Unless you are going for a specific aesthetic, you want your drums to sound full and
Imagine someone facing you while watching you play, and pan your kit from their perspective, not yours.
You can use the universal knob to pan everything on your MIDI channel. If you want to pan one drum sound but leave the others centred, you will need to make the "chains" section of the drum rack visible. You will then see a volume and panner for every pad, which you can change and automate.
