Tillie Doyle
Panning is a technique used in audio mixing to create the illusion of space and depth, making it seem like a sound is coming from a specific point. This is achieved by adjusting the volume of a sound in relation to the left and right speakers, with sounds that are louder on one side appearing closer to that side. By using panning, you can make your mix sound wider and fuller, ensuring that instruments don't clash and giving each element room to breathe. To make a sound seem farther away, you would adjust the settings to send it to the BACK group, and you would make it quieter.
Characteristics and Values of Panning Sounds Far
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Panning type | Hard pan |
| Sound location | Left, right, or center |
| Sound frequency | Analyze the frequencies and pan opposite for similar frequencies |
| Sound balance | Keep an equal amount of elements on each side |
| Sound check | Use headphones to check the pans |
| Sound depth | Use EQ-ing to manipulate the depth of the sound |
| Sound volume | Quieter sounds seem farther away |
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What You'll Learn
Use the pan pot to control the volume of sound from each speaker
Panning is the process of positioning sounds at particular locations in the stereo image of a mix. Using a pan pot, you can make an instrument sound as though it is coming from a specific point between your left and right speakers. The pan pot, short for panoramic potentiometer, is a control with a position indicator that can range continuously from the 7 o'clock position when fully left to the 5 o'clock position when fully right.
When the pan pot is in the centre (at 12 o'clock), the signal is sent equally to both the left and right channels, and the signal appears to be coming from the middle of the spectrum, creating what is called a 'phantom centre'. This is because the sound appears to be coming from a non-existent speaker in the middle of the stereo field.
Now, imagine you start to pan the track to the right. As you turn the pan pot to the right, the copy of the signal coming from the left speaker will get quieter. Similarly, when the pan pot is aimed to the right, the signal is sent completely to the right channel or speaker and therefore emanates from the right side.
A true pan pot is when the information is being properly moved into the current pan of the said channel, meaning no lost information. All panning is essentially volume control, as it assigns a signal to a speaker. For example, if you have two sounds that are fighting for space in the same frequency, then pan one to the left and one to the right.
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Keep low-frequency sounds in the centre
When creating a mix, it's important to give your sound clarity and space. This can be achieved through panning, the process of positioning sounds at particular locations in the stereo image of a mix. The centre of your stereo image needs to be your core, and the best way to give your mix a solid core is to keep lower-frequency sounds in the centre.
Keeping low-frequency sounds in the centre is a good way to ensure that your mix has a backbone. This includes kicks, basses, and anything else below the 120Hz range. If your track has lead vocals, these should also be panned centre. This is because lower-frequency sounds are perceived by the brain as coming from the centre, even when they are being played from the left and right speakers.
When a sound arrives at both your left and right ears at the same time and at an equal level, the brain perceives the sound as coming from the centre. This is known as the 'phantom centre'. To achieve this effect, you can use a pan pot, which will allow you to control how loudly a sound is played from one speaker compared to another.
It's important to keep your mix balanced. Make sure there are not too many elements on one side, as this will sound fatiguing and confusing to the ear. Try to see your mix in pairs and balance one element with another. You can use headphones to check your pans and do some active listening to hear each part independently from the rest of your mix.
By keeping low-frequency sounds in the centre of your mix, you can create a solid foundation for your music and ensure that your mix has a strong core.
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Balance the mix by panning similar frequencies in opposite directions
Panning is a powerful tool for achieving a balanced stereo image. It allows you to place sounds at particular locations in the stereo image of a mix, effectively determining the left and right walls of your mix and how close each sound is to them.
To create a balanced mix, it is important to consider the frequencies of the sounds you are panning. If you have two sounds occupying similar frequencies, try panning them in opposite directions. For example, if an electric guitar is doubling a saxophone during the melodies, panning them both to the centre might cause them to clash. Panning them slightly to the sides, say 20% left and 20% right, can create a more balanced feel. This technique is called "complementary panning".
Complementary panning can be applied to mono tracks to achieve stereo widening. First, duplicate your mono track. Then, apply complementary panning by panning the two tracks in opposite directions. Insert an EQ into the original channel and make random cuts and boosts. Copy these settings onto a new EQ on the second channel, but invert the gain settings. This technique spreads different frequency regions of the track across the stereo image, making the mix element sound wider.
In general, low-frequency sounds should be kept closer to the centre, while high-frequency sounds can be panned to the sides. This helps to create a solid core for your mix, as it is more difficult to detect where bass frequencies are coming from. Kicks, snares, basses and vocal tracks are usually panned directly in the centre, providing the backbone of the mix.
However, it is important to note that panning is not just about left and right placement. Width refers to the perceived distance between sounds in the left and right speakers, while depth refers to the perceived distance between the listener and the "back wall" of the mix. Height represents the perceived distance from the top to the bottom of the track, with bass frequencies perceived as closer to the floor and high-pitched frequencies closer to the ceiling. Visualising each sound in a three-dimensional space can help you create a well-balanced stereo image.
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Check your pans on headphones
When it comes to panning sounds, creating space and achieving clarity in your mix is key. The process of panning involves positioning sounds at specific locations in the stereo image, allowing you to create a sense of width and depth. To check your pans effectively, utilizing headphones is essential. Here's why:
Understanding Binaural Hearing
Our ability to perceive sounds from different points in space is due to binaural hearing. This means that since our ears are positioned in two distinct locations, we can interpret sounds as coming from certain directions. Headphones simulate this binaural hearing experience, providing an accurate representation of the stereo image you're creating through panning.
Checking Pans on Headphones
When using headphones, you can actively listen and focus on each part of your mix independently. This isolation ensures that you can accurately assess the positioning and balance of your pans. Monitors or speakers, on the other hand, will give you a general idea of your pan placement, but sound in an open room will reach both ears, making it challenging to pinpoint precise pan locations.
Achieving Balance
To create a well-balanced mix, it's crucial to distribute elements evenly across the stereo image. With headphones, you can ensure that you don't stack too many elements on one side, creating a lopsided mix. Aim for an equal amount of elements on each side, creating pairs that balance each other out. This balance will provide a more cohesive and pleasing listening experience.
Optimizing Translation between Headphones and Speakers
When panning on headphones, it's important to consider the difference in perception between headphones and speakers. One way to optimize this translation is to visualize a soundstage. Imagine placing your instruments on a virtual stage, allowing your panning decisions to be consistent across different playback mediums. LCR panning, for example, forces similar panning choices regardless of whether you're using speakers or headphones.
Stereo Imaging Tools
While stereo imaging tools can create interesting "super-stereo" effects on speakers, their impact on headphones may be less noticeable. Be cautious when applying these effects, as excessive stereo widening can weaken the bass or confuse listeners when played on speakers. Always check your mix on speakers to ensure the effects translate well and don't overwhelm the overall mix.
In conclusion, checking your pans on headphones is crucial for achieving precision and balance in your mix. By utilizing the stereo image effectively and considering the unique characteristics of headphone listening, you can create a more immersive and enjoyable audio experience.
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Use binaural panning to position sounds in 3D space
Panning is the process of positioning sounds at particular locations in the stereo image of a mix. Using pan pots, you can make an instrument sound as though it is coming from a specific point between your left and right speaker. Binaural panning is a type of panning that adds depth and space to your sound. Binaural stereo can immerse listeners in a sonic environment where they can pinpoint arbitrary sound source positions with remarkable clarity. Binaural panning relies on simulating how sound waves interact with the head, ears, and body, often referred to as the head-related transfer function (HRTF).
There are several tools available for binaural panning that cater to different needs and preferences in audio production. One such tool is Audiocube, which provides a quick and easy way to pan sounds binaurally, offering a huge amount of depth and customization. Audiocube also offers features such as sound design, soundscape creation, acoustic simulation, and reverb design.
Another option is to use a binaural panner plugin, which is a specialized tool used in immersive audio production to position audio sources within a three-dimensional space, offering a realistic binaural audio experience. These plugins simulate the way human ears perceive sound, resulting in spatialized sound perception when listened to through headphones. Some popular binaural panner plugins include DearVR Micro, Logic Pro's Binaural Panner, and Ambeo Orbit by Sennheiser.
Additionally, you can mix in Dolby Atmos to place objects in a 3D space, or use stereo widening plugins to enhance the perceived width of stereo sources. When using binaural panning, it is important to keep your mix balanced by ensuring there are not too many elements on one side, as this can make your mix sound fatiguing and confusing to the ear.
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Frequently asked questions
To make a sound seem like it's coming from a distance, make it quieter. If you want to make a sound seem closer, make it louder.
If you want to make a sound seem like it's coming from far away in a stereo mix, send it to the BACK group.
Keep your mix balanced. Make sure there aren't too many elements on one side. Try to see your mix in pairs and balance one element with another.
