Marianne Martinez
Pro Tools is a software application for audio recording and production and is considered the industry standard in digital audio workstation (DAW) applications. One of its many features is the ability to control the pan depth, which allows users to control the stereo field of their mix. The pan depth setting affects the level of the signal when the pan pot is at the center, with the default setting typically being -3dB. Different versions of Pro Tools offer different pan depth options, with recent versions offering -2.5, -3.0, -4.5, and -6 dB options. Understanding and effectively using pan depth can help create a wider and more immersive soundscape, enhancing the overall listening experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan depth options | -2.5 dB, -3.0 dB, -4.5 dB, -6 dB |
| Pan depth setting impact | Affects stereo mixes only |
| Surround format pan depth | Fixed at -3 dB |
| Mono downmix | Perfect voltage sum at -6 dB |
| Mono compatibility | -4.5 dB |
| Pan laws | Attenuate centered sounds |
| Panning hard right | -6 dB pan sounds louder than -2.5 dB pan |
| 2.5 dB pan mode | Tighter mix |
| 6 dB pan mode | No change in level in mono track |
| Constant power pan law | Needed to maintain loudness |
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What You'll Learn
Pan depth settings for stereo mixes
Stereo pan depth is a setting that governs the amount of signal attenuation when a mono track is routed to a stereo output and panned centrally. This is important to maintain a consistent perceived level, whatever the pan position. The pan depth setting is expressed in decibels, and in Pro Tools, there are four different settings: -2.5, -3, -4.5, and -6 dB. The default setting is -3 dB, which is the best setting to choose in most cases as it will correctly compensate for the acoustic summing caused by a centrally panned sound playing through two speakers in most rooms.
The -4.5 dB setting is a compromise between the -3 dB and -6 dB options and can be useful for improving Mono/stereo compatibility. The -2.5 dB setting was used in earlier versions of Pro Tools, and while it is still available as an option, it is not recommended for most mixes. The -6 dB pan depth setting is suitable for compensating for the increase in level caused by acoustic summing in an acoustically 'perfect' room, though this is an unlikely scenario.
The choice of pan depth setting depends on the specific requirements of the mix and the desired listening experience. If you want the panned sound to be perceived as having a constant volume regardless of the pan position, a centre attenuation of 3 dB is suitable. On the other hand, if you want the panned sound to have a constant level when summed to mono, a centre attenuation of 6 dB is needed.
It is important to note that the pan depth setting can affect the overall balance of the mix. Changing the pan position will change the relative level of the source, so you may need to adjust the source level to maintain the desired mix balance. Additionally, the pan depth setting can impact the compatibility of the mix across different systems, as mixes constructed on different DAWs with different pan depth settings may sound subtly different.
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Mono downmixes
When downmixing in Pro Tools, you can add multiple bounce sources, such as 5.1 and stereo outputs, in the Mix Source section. In the Audio section, you can set the sample rate and bit depth as required. You can also choose whether you want the bounce to be interleaved or multiple mono.
When creating a mono downmix, it is important to consider the pan law. The idea behind a "Panning Law" is that when a mono sound is coming out of both the left and right channels, it should have the same "loudness" as it would coming from one. For example, if you are listening to a mono sum through a pair of loudspeakers, a 3 dB pan law makes sense as -3 dB is half the power. So, with two speakers, you get back to the same power.
If you are using the 2.5 dB pan mode, you will get a much tighter mix. The 6 dB pan law ensures that there is no change in level in the mono track. This means that no matter where the pan pots are, the mono mix will not change balance. However, when listened to in stereo, things will seem noticeably louder as the sound is panned away from the centre.
To create a mono downmix, you can simply pick one side of the stereo track. If the mono track sounds louder, you can attenuate it.
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Pan laws in Pro Tools 9
Pro Tools 9 offers users the option to control the Pan Depth for a session. This feature allows users to control how much of the signal is taken out of the centre when panning hard right or left. The pan depth does not alter how far one can pan but changes the volume of a source as it is panned from side to side.
The pan laws in Pro Tools 9 include -2.5, -3, -4.5, and -6 dB. The -2.5 dB pan law will have the signal, when central, 2.5 dB quieter than if that same signal was panned hard to one side. The -3 dB pan law is to be used when there will be two channels, but the user wants a signal to be in the centre. The 4.5 dB pan law was evolved to get better Mono/stereo compatibility. The 6 dB pan law is to be used when the delivery is going to be summed to Mono, i.e., both channels will be sent to a mono bus.
The SSL pan law is -4.2 dB, which is one reason why the SSL sound is often described as "wide". The pan depth on most hardware consoles is 4.5. The two fundamental panning laws relate to the way the material will be auditioned. If you want the panned sound to be perceived, acoustically, as remaining at a constant volume, regardless of the pan position, the centre attenuation needs to be 3 dB. This is because the acoustic summation of two identical signals increases the perceived volume by 3 dB. However, if you want the panned sound to be perceived as having a constant level when summed to mono, the centre attenuation needs to be 6 dB.
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Compatibility with old sessions
In theory, old Pro Tools sessions should open in version 12. However, there are a few tricks to successfully opening old Pro Tools sessions. For instance, Pro Tools 12 can only open sessions where the audio files are in WAV or AIFF formats. If the audio files are in Sound Designer II (SD2) format, you will need to use Pro Tools 10 or earlier. Pro Tools 10 was the last version that could open a session with SD2 files and automatically convert them to WAV (BWF) files.
Additionally, older sessions may use TDM or RTAS plug-ins that never got updated to the current AAX Native or DSP formats. In such cases, you can log into your Avid Master Account to rent or buy missing plug-ins from the Marketplace menu inside Pro Tools. However, not all plug-in developers make their plug-ins available in the Avid Marketplace.
Another issue that may arise is when sessions are stored on older drives that haven't been used for a while. These drives may not spin up when plugged back in due to sticky bearings. To avoid this, you can invest in a dedicated large-capacity drive and create consolidated backup disks that are always "online" and easily accessible.
Furthermore, when opening old sessions, you may encounter issues with compatibility. For example, certain features and functionalities may not be displayed or supported in older versions of Pro Tools. It is important to check the specific version requirements for the session you are trying to open.
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Metering in Pro Tools
Pro Tools offers metering options that can be customised to suit individual preferences. The Metering tab in the Preferences window allows users to adjust parameters such as decay rate, depth, reference point, integration time, and breakpoints, where colours change on the meter display. Users can also set different meter types for tracks and master tracks, with options like Pro Tools Classic, Linear, PPM, VU, and K-System.
The Metering tab in Pro Tools has four configuration areas. The first area allows users to set the default track meter and the master meter, which can be optionally linked. The second area offers advanced metering options for each metering type, including decay time, colour breaks, and the location of the 0 dB point. The third area enables users to set the peak hold time and clip indication time. Finally, the fourth area provides options to configure the metering display, such as the gain reduction meter type and the ability to show send assignment level meters.
Overall, Pro Tools provides a wide range of metering options and customisation features that enhance the user experience and enable them to personalise their metering preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Pan depth, also known as pan law, refers to the level of a signal when the pan pot is at the centre. It only affects stereo mixes.
Go to Session Setup and select your preferred pan depth from the drop-down menu.
The pan depths in Pro Tools include -2.5 dB, -3 dB, -4.5 dB, and -6 dB.
-3 dB is the default setting and is generally considered the best option in most cases.
