panning
The distribution of an audio signal across a stereo or multi-channel sound field.
Panning determines where a sound sits on the horizontal plane between the left and right speakers, allowing engineers to create a wide, realistic soundstage.
Word relationships
- spatial positioning: A more formal term that can include depth (volume/reverb) as well as horizontal placement.
Commonly confused with
- balancing: Balancing refers to adjusting the relative volume of the left and right channels of an entire stereo track, while panning positions an individual mono track within that stereo field.
Word family
- pan (verb): To move or position a sound within a stereo field.
Collocations
- stereo panning
- hard panning
- panning law
- panning pot
Example sentences
- "By panning the double-tracked electric guitars hard left and hard right, the mixer created an immense wall of sound that left the center clear for the vocals." A guide to creating a wide stereo mix.
- "The dramatic panning of the synthesizer sweep from left to right gave the listener a disorienting, swirling sensation." An analysis of psychedelic music production.
Memory hook
Think of a 'pan' shot in a movie where the camera sweeps across the whole horizon from left to right. Panning sweeps sound across the stereo panorama.
When not to use
Do not use panning when discussing mono audio systems, as mono systems only have a single channel and cannot distribute sound left or right.
Fun facts
- Early stereo mixes in the 1960s (like early Beatles tracks) often used extreme, primitive panning—putting all the drums in the left ear and all the vocals in the right—because mixing consoles only had three-position switches (Left, Center, Right) instead of continuous knobs.
Related words
Explore more words
crossfader, equalizer, beatmatch, panorama, amplitude, amplification
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