Panning is how the instruments are arranged within the stereo image. By properly using this mixing feature, you can create a very realistic mix. Mixing engineer should mix tracks with a live sound stage/concert stage perspective. A vocal is always in the center because the band lead singer is the star of the show. At the back of the vocals is the bass player. Typically at the back of the bass player is the drummer. The band’s guitarists are on the left and the right. Bear in mind that different panning arrangement are possible for additional instruments (such a band with piano or others). But this concept illustrates the basic things on how to do panning in audio mixing to create a very realistic stereo image such as the diagram shown below:
Live sound monitors for vocals and bass are placed up front facing the audience, so that fans can get a great feel of the vocals and the bass groove. On the left and right loud sound monitors are the guitars.
In the commercial audio production and using a recording software, panning can be controlled between -100 to +100. Where mostly -100 is the leftmost part of the stage and +100 is the rightmost part of the stage. Mixing from the real live stage perspective, a mixer can set:
a. Vocals to panning= 0 (center)
b. Kick drums = 0 (center)
c. Bass guitar= 0 (center)
d. 1st guitarist=75 (hard right)
e. 2nd guitarist= -75 (hard left)
f. Whole drum set (crash cymbals to ride cymbals)= -12.5 to 12.5 (this is the correct one)
Using ratio and proportion, typical sound stage width is about 40 feet wide. Using recording software, this whole panning width is 200 panning units. (Length of -100 to +100).
Therefore the ratio of panning units to feet is:
200 panning units/ 40 feet = 5 panning units/feet (For a 40 feet sound stage)
To check how realistic is this conversion, we will use the width of the real drum set.
Real drum set needs 5 feet width space when fully set-up. Converting 5 feet to panning units in recording software is about :
5 feet x 5 panning units/feet = 25 panning units, so our panning specifications are correct.
This means that for a 40 feet sound stage, to create a real stereo image of drums, it should be panned between -12.5 to 12.5 (this is the correct specification).
Guitarist are placed +75 to -75 respectively. This means they are both located :
1st guitarist: -75 panning units/ 5 panning units= 15 feet from the left of the vocals.
2nd guitarist: +75 panning units/5 panning units= 15 feet from the right of the vocals.
One important thing to take note on panning is the energy level with respect to panning distance. Rule of thumb is that, the lowest frequencies should be pan on the center except for the vocals. And the higher the frequencies, the farther you can place them away from the center. It is because, low frequencies such as bass occupies massive energies and needs to placed at the center for maximum volume.
The following are advantages of proper panning in mixing :
a. Create a real stereo image of an actual live sound stage.
b. Avoid battling the same frequencies in the same location of the stereo image.
By placing the vocals in the center of the mix, means not in conflict in low frequencies and those guitars that occupy the same frequencies as the vocals are placed away from the center. Thus panning improves the clarity of the mix.
For details about panning settings for different musical instruments, you can refer to the following tutorials:
1.) Mixing and panning bass guitar in the stereo mix
2.) Panning for symphony orchestra instruments
3.) How to pan guitar?
4.) Mixing and panning piano
16 Responses
Panning is both and art and science. It is a science that most engineers prefer panning low frequency instruments (such as a kick drum) in the center of the stereo image so that it would have a more even distribution and clarity. And higher frequency instruments can be panned farther from the center.
It is an art that you can choose where to put your instruments in the stereo field as long as it make sense and it contributes to the clarity of your mix. So the answer could be no. You have the options where to pan all your instruments in the stereo field. But you need to ensure that your sound stage sounds great and clear.
Personally I prefer bass percussion instruments to be at the center as well as the snare. Then all hi hats and other high frequency instruments to be panned slightly farther from the center. All it takes is a little experimentation to see which sounds best for your mix. Good luck!
In a classical concert setup or for example in an electronic music setup; there are many more percussion items than in this arrangement; does it still follow the same rules; or for example for a wood type percussion could that be hard paned L or R?
I have recently purchased the line 6 podx3 live effects modualer and one of the neat things that come with it is the ability to play with a dual guitar setting with two amp output signals.adding to the feature it offers a left and right panning option for both signals,from there you can also connect from the two left and right outputs of the line 6 console into a two track recording interface.with these dual settings set at full,panned left and right,when I record in stereo on my interface the two panned signals come up on the one channel,is this real stereo recording? and if so would it be effective to pan these tracks on the stereo field like I would with say” mono tracks any feedback would be great………………james.
Hi Chris,
My apologies for the late reply. You can read more about your inquiry here: https://www.audiorecording.me/creating-realistic-stereo-image-with-panning.html
Cheers.
I am in the middle of a home recording session and am wondering what you recommend panning setup for a 3 piece would be? wouldn’t bunching everything in the middle would cause cancellation?
your thoughts? Thank you
Hi Emerson,
My BOSS Drum Machine is panning drumsets according to a drum player’s point of view. Is it acceptable for commercial mixes or should be “repanned” to look like from listener’s point of view? Thank you.
Hi Chirs,
Creative mixing and panning is OK, it all depends on the plan. The mixing locations is actually based on the location of strong energy (not strictly on persons placing in front of the stage though the picture above show it, but it will be flexible like what you have stated) which I favor to have the bass (low frequency signal) and kick placed on the dead center.
Your bass player is actually in the wrong place. A right handed bass and a right handed drummer should be positioned so the bass player is to the drummers left and the drummer is behind and to the bass players right. These two need to work and have eye contact and be able to watch each other. Move the bass to 2nd Guitar and 2 guitar to where the bass is.
Also your idea about having the drums off-center is a creative one. It is very possible for some rare mix scenarios. Thanks for the tip.
Thank so much for the feedback. It was my mistake, sorry for that. So for 25 panning units total, it should be only -12.5 to 12.5.
Cheers.
Things seems a bit more insteresting if you try position the drums within the whole mix. Thus on a 40 feet sound stage the drums occupy 5 feet, but the drums can be off center, so there should be an offset added to the panning figures to shift the entire (panned!) drum set to the proper area on the stage (+ designates the center of the sound stage, drums are located to the right of the center):
right half stage (20 ft)
+——————————|
| Drums (5 ft)
| |…….|
|
^__center
Isn’t there a mistake: drum set width is 5 feet which takes 25 panning units total. Which means that drums should be panned from
-12.5 to +12.5 but not from -25 to +25 (which would actually give a 50 units span)?
Hey! Thanks for the post about the panning of drum sounds. It was really informative. Keep up the good work!
Question…Where do i pan the snare? Should i put it on the center or each on the left an right?
Hi, thanks for the comment. I will make a separate post about panning drum instruments. Check my blog for updates. Cheers.
one picture worth 1000 word
thank you so much
keep it up