Panning Vocals

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Member Since: May 06, 2008

What the max you should pan vocals....just your opinion or does it matter..Because I been told anything over 30 left or right is too much for vocals..

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 12, 2008 07:53 pm

i keep vocals dead center unless i want some 'effecty' type thing to happen....now background vocals are another story. do whatever sounds natural to you. also all the other instruments on the song and where they are panned out factor into this as well...panning the instruments out will leave room for the vocal in the center.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


May 13, 2008 09:34 pm

Yep, leaning a lead vocal too far to one side can sound awful. The Beatles and a few others back then got away with it because they leaned certain other elements far to the other side and it filled out nicely.

That would be the exception if you had a mix like that going.

Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002


May 15, 2008 08:20 am

Listen as you pan. I don't know a simpler way to express this. Where do you want it? Where does it sound best to you? When Vox is used to express the "message" of the song i.e. verbiage intended to be heard loud and clear, I keep them pretty close to center. The center of attention. When vox is more of an instrument i.e. sounds vs verbiage, I may put them quite a way out to one side or another. If I want the recording to be "realistic" in terms of a live performance, I position the vox where I would have the singers on a stage. If I'm creating something that is intended to have a unique "soundscape" skys the limit.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


May 15, 2008 11:58 am

Good points, I always leave the lead dead center along with the bass and the kick.

I try to make it sound like I am watching the band on stage. For me that means....

I pan my OH's 30 L/R, Guitars around 50 L/R and backup Vox whereever they sound good, but usully wider than the guitars to simulate the wide stereo image most clubs have going.

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