PANNING & STEREO WIDTH – How, When & What to Pan

Summary

In the video "PANNING & STEREO WIDTH – How, When & What to Pan," Will from EDM Tips explains the concepts of panning and stereo width in music production, particularly in electronic dance music (EDM). He addresses common questions about how to effectively pan instruments and create a balanced stereo image.

Key Concepts and Techniques:

• Panning Basics:
  • Panning involves positioning sound in the stereo field (left, right, or center).
  • Visualize a stage setup with instruments placed accordingly (e.g., kick drum and lead singer in the center, other instruments spread out).
• Mixing in Mono:
  • Start Mixing in Mono to ensure that the track sounds good without stereo effects.
  • Important frequencies (below 130-140 Hz) should be mixed in mono to maintain balance and prevent issues in club settings.
• Stereo Width:
  • Instruments can have stereo information while being panned centrally.
  • Use plugins like iZotope Imager to manage stereo width, especially for frequencies above 140 Hz.
• Panning Techniques:
  • Keep essential elements (kick, bass, lead vocals) centered.
  • Background vocals and supporting instruments can be panned to the sides.
  • Use auto-panning for added interest and movement in higher frequency sounds.
• Reverb and Stereo Width:
  • Apply stereo width in Reverb effects, ensuring low frequencies are rolled off to maintain clarity.
• LCR Panning:
  • A straightforward approach where main elements are centered, and other sounds are panned hard left or right.

Steps for Effective Panning:

1. Visualize a stage layout for instrument placement.
2. Mix primarily in mono for balance.
3. Keep frequencies below 130-140 Hz in mono.
4. Use stereo width tools on higher frequencies.
5. Apply panning techniques based on the frequency range of instruments.
6. Consider using Reverb to enhance stereo width while managing low-end clarity.
7. Experiment with LCR Panning for simplicity.

Contributors:

• Will from EDM Tips