Panning Question

[Spaztic]

To get instruments to fit in a mix when do you pan, and which way, etc. I am just starting out and I am a bit confused. Maybe a panning tutorial would help. I have, keyboard, bass, drums, 2 guitars, vocals, backup vocals, possible dj, etc. Pretty large group.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

This article on Mixing may help you --> Mixing 101

 

[Simman]

You might also want to take a look here http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/directory.htm . You will find more comprehensive articles on a verity of subject matter. However, with regard to panning, there is no silver bullet, every situation is different.

 

[EVT]

Hi Spaztic,
Along with panning, eq'ng your mixes is also important. I found this article to be very helpful. The diagrams helped me to understand what was meant.
http://www.homerecordingconnection.com/news.php?action=view_story&id=154

There are some basic ways that are commonly used as per panning, but it is always open to how you feel it works well. It depends on what you're going for in the mix. Also, do a search on this, I've read about this before. And, another good idea I think would be to find a cd that is similar to the style you are recording and that you like the way is mixed, listen to it on headphones and try to pick it apart as per where the different tracks are panned.
Hope this helps a bit,
evt

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

This article on Mixing may help you --> Mixing 101

Great, helpful article, Bruce -- especially for a newbie like me who's trying to learn. Thanks. BTW, I live in Chelsea, QC.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

A tip:

I always mix in mono and put things in a stereo perspective almost LAST. The reason why is that I'm looking for true seperation of the elements... and if you achieve that in mono when you fill out the stereo field suddenly the mix takes on new width.

But I'm not real fond of overly "wide" mixes personally.

 

[Rokket]

A tip:

I always mix in mono and put things in a stereo perspective almost LAST. The reason why is that I'm looking for true seperation of the elements... and if you achieve that in mono when you fill out the stereo field suddenly the mix takes on new width.

But I'm not real fond of overly "wide" mixes personally.

You just gave me the greatest tip I've heard yet....
Thanks a bunch!

 

[Spaztic]

This has helped me beyond anything I could ever expect, Thank You!

Without trying to sound like an idiot. Is ''mixing in mono' a multitrack software feature or a soundcard feature?

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

By putting all tracks to center you achieve a mono output.

This is the best way to record AND mix. Any phase anamolies will be readily apparent before you hit 'record' and it forces you to really work on seperating your mix elements.

The one caveat--when setting your overhead mics pan them out so you can see you are getting a good stereo image. When you go to record push them back to the center. This goes for ANY stereo track you are recording--make sure it works and then throw it in mono.

When you are mixing you can pan it out again.

 

[Spaztic]

That clears it up, thanks!

 

[cuibono]

cloneboy, could you describe more what you mean by 'separation' and how you achieve it? Thanks...

 

[crosstudio]

separation means not having instruments trampling on each others frequency space in the mix. you can achieve this by:
1) being careful with the instruments and octaves that you choose while recording.
2) carving out space for instruments in the mix by cutting frequencies on other instruments.
3) panning like sounding instruments away from each other so you can hear that they are not the same instrument.

it is my opinion that separation should be achieved in that order.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Cross hits it right on the head.

 

[cuibono]

a little clarification on your first point - lets suppose the song is already written, the parts/instruments arranged, and of course playing in the same key, how one be careful with the instruments and octaves used - from a bands point of view, these seem like pretty brutal things to have to change. peace....

 

[Projbalance]

Not really, not in the studio. You'd be surprised how well instruments can seperate in the mix if they are recorded well. IN fact, it's one of the things that throws a lot of musicians off since they are so used to hearing sounds splashing all over each other on stage.