Panning

Posted on

Member Since: Feb 19, 2007

Quick question. In my band I have drums, bass, one keyboard, one guitar (mostly rhythm), and vocals. Does anyone have any suggestions on some good panning techniques? Would you hard pan the guitar off the center? More or less, where would you put the guitar in the mix since it is the only one. Or, would you recommend maybe doubling the track and changing the tone of the guitar a bit and panning it opposite the other guitar to add some depth to the song. More or less, I dont want the guitar to sound too much off to one side, or too much in the center. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[ Back to Top ]


Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 12:14 pm

You can double the guitar and pan it hard right and ard left, or since you have ketyboards, maybe put the guitar at 25% left and the keys at 25% right, just to leve a little room for that vocal, I know what you mean with the guitar sounding up the center. But with the drums spread way out, that right there can give you some depth in the mix, but a lot of instrument will be fighting for that center spot.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jul 30, 2007 12:45 pm

Yep indeed. double the tracks, and do a little different effects to each side, or bump one back 1 ms to give it a little more depth. Then I pan them away from each other, sometimes 60/40, sometimes 85/85, sometimes 76/40, whatever sounds good with whatever else is living around there.

One guitar makes it pretty separate, so you should be able to put them wherever you want.

I like AK's idea, of placing the git and keys in their own spaces, around the field.

Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 01:28 pm

Yes, as pjk said... It's crucial to bump one of the tracks out of phase (1ms) or it'll sound just like it did before. It's incredible what that little shift in time will do. Good luck!

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jul 30, 2007 01:53 pm

Wouldn't that cause phase cancellation when played back in mono?

Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 02:18 pm

Only if it's 180 degrees out.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Jul 30, 2007 02:26 pm

Yeah, seems like that would cause a direct cancellation at 500 Hz, since 1 ms is half a wave cycle at that frequency.

Member
Since: Feb 19, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 02:43 pm

I guess my biggest concern is not having the guitar sound like its all on one side of the mix. it seems like most mixes sound like the guitar is mostly on one side, yet at the same time with the more rockin parts, it seems like its coming in on both sides but not in the direct center like the vocals.

do you think that maybe recording another track with a different tone of the guitar might help fill the space a little better without making the guitar sound like its in the center with the vocals? or is it more common even in a more rockin part for the guitar to be more on one side?

Check out this example for reference for what i mean.

www.myspace.com/incubus

it sounds like the guitar is obviously on the left for the verse. and it is definitely present there for the chorus, but at the same time, you can much more noticably hear a heavier guitar on left and right over the chorus. is that just a doubling effect, or do you think it is a different/added recording/tone with the guitar?

Thanks!

I hope this makes sense

Member
Since: Feb 19, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 02:43 pm

oh, and i'm referring to anna molly

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jul 30, 2007 03:44 pm

I think you're on to it, tracking multiple takes, with different settings. I figured you'd only have one track of guitar, so doubling it would keep it single (mostly).

Tracking it again can really thicken it up. Then move them around and see what happens.


Member
Since: Jun 02, 2007


Jul 30, 2007 05:39 pm

Sorry Herb, I thought I read a complete cancellation... My bad, but yeah, when playing it back in mono will cut some frequencies. That's correct. But Skidude, I would probably record a second guitar part, I find that it sounds better and thicker than just doubling the track. Or even just in the choruses.

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.