Modern music has introduced several advanced mixing and mastering techniques. These techniques have changed the way we used to see the music production industry and its artwork. The audio industry is more realistic, dimension-rich, and heartwarming today compared to all the previous years and it is going upwards only. We have talked about Dolby Atmos technology which is going to rule over the audio industry very soon. However, something similar to that, or better to say the origin of Dolby Atmos technology is Audio Panning. This is widely used by professionals today to give their sound more depth.
If you’re new to this industry or still unaware of Panning Technology, this article is all set to expose you to that. Here we will not only discuss the technology but also give prime examples of such songs.
What is Panning?
Panning is the act of interplays sounds within 1-Dimension. The interplays of sound & instruments create interesting soundtracks and create distance effects while listening to the soundtrack. Panning allows you to use the stereo track as your field to place the audio somewhere between or at extreme sides- left or right. The sound sources are placed in such a way that the listeners will feel the sound coming from either side of the center or somewhere in the middle ground at various spots of the audio track. The available area of the soundtrack for movement is only 1-D and several sounds can’t interfere with each other in 3-Dimensions.
What is a Pan-Pot?
Pan-Pot is a potentiometer that controls the distribution of the audio waveforms on the left or right side of the stereo field. A Pan Pot when neutral distributes the single sound in both channels equally. However, the potentiometer comes with a controller that can control the amount of sound waves reaching each side. The ground center is considered as 0 as it distributes an equal amount of sound waves to both sides. As you change this degree, the panning increases, and your experience sounds from different sides at times.
The best demonstration is what you’re seeing in the given image above. The system creates a sense of space & width in a stereo. The Pan-Pot set to the left side increases the sound waves on the left side and simultaneously decreases them on the side. A similar respective method works for the right-side Panning. With smart work, you can create effects of sound moving from left to right or right to left.
Also, Read About – How to Mix and Master Dolby Atmos for Headphones
Position of Different Instruments While Panning:
Though we believe that art is free of any restrictions. It lives by the strength of your soul. However, to learn what good panning sounds like, you must learn some rules of the technology. These conventional rules are applicable till you achieve mastery of the skill. After that, you can break the rules to make it unique and unconventional but melodies to your ears.
1. Center Pan:
The centre pan is the ground position where you have set the pan pot at 0. This position will set your sound waves at the centre. The listeners will feel the sound coming from both sides equally. This setting is for the body sound or the base music of the soundtrack you’re going to present. Central sound is the part that you want to present clearly to your audience.
Read more- 9 Reasons Why Mixing & Mastering is Much Needed for A Song
2. Extreme Sides Panning:
The extreme side setting is for high-pitched soundtracks. They add a shimmering sensation to the whole track without being overbearing for listeners. Overall the whole stereo will sound smooth as the high-pitched soundtracks are now at the extreme sides. You can place hi-Hat sound, drum overheads, or atmospheric pad sound to it.
3. Middle Ground Panning:
Middle ground panning is sound pieces that you want for adding depth to the complete track. But not interfering with the actual song body is the main motive of this. Background vocals, electric guitars, stereo piano, and acoustic guitar, background flute are some of the music pieces that you can use in this setting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Panning:
You can implement panning in your music very easily if you know how to do it correctly. It is a skill as well as an art for the music lovers. Only by visualizing the audio and experimenting, can you discover your masterpiece.
Also, Read About –What is Sound Mastering? And its importance
1. Identify the Center:
First, identify your base or the ground. The whole song will depend on this one audio element. This will be your line based on which you will set all the other sound elements here & there with their panning variations. Keep in mind not to place too many sounds building from one space only. That will create unusual chaos and will break the melody.
2. Use Automation:
Panning automation is what you have in your hand as a gift. Use it for giving a conventional panning effect to your songs. Perhaps it will give you the combination of your dreams.
3. Pay Attention to the Interaction of EQ & Pan:
Panning and EQ interact with each other. While making such a song, you must focus on their interaction. Sometimes panning audio will remove the need for EQ. The several ways of establishing a sound are the trick to getting the best of sound effects. Keep experimenting.
4. Experiment with Panning Balances:
Experimentation is your biggest power. Don’t bore yourself with conventional panning laws. Though following them will give you good results, it’s not bad either to find something new. Good luck with the combination.
5. Use Pan Restrictions:
Sometimes restrictions help us to gain more creativity as we don’t have the freedom to ignore it. Fix your pan pot position to specific values so that you have fewer options to experiment with. More focused work will create a unique mix.
6. Visualise Your Sound:
Your art is as good as you are. As an artist, you create the art in your mind first and the actual product comes later. Try to visualize your audio. Think about where you want to place them. Understanding what you want will simplify your work in advance.
7. Test Your Product:
Now you have completed the procedure and all you need to do is to test the final product. Take a break as your ears are not ready to listen to anything after working so hard. The next day listen to what you have created.
Conclusion:
Most professionals today use panning as their tool for giving space & depth to their songs. This works very well in today’s industry. We can also say that 3-D Dolby Atmos technology is somewhere inspired by it. In this article, we have discussed what Panning refers to and how to create a song using panning techniques. For more such interesting articles, subscribe to our blog.
Also, Read About – Do You Know About Dolby Atmos Sound Mixing & Mastering?
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