Panning on mono and stereo channels

[Dj Dunc]

I was fiddling on my mixer and kinda had this random thought about how inputs are panned. My theory being this : Mono when panned to fully left, sends it to the left channel on the output, and vice versa, but with a stereo channel, panning the sound to the left only takes the source from the left input as it is a stereo, and basically mixes the quantities of L+R rather than routing it. is this correct? or is it just me at Christmas :biggrin:

 

many thanks

 

Duncan

[Ben Langfeld]

The pan pot on a stereo channel isn't actually a pan pot, it's a balance control, which works by altering the resistance between the L&R inputs (individually) and ground. :)

[Bobbsy]

I think you've basically got it, DjDunc.

 

If you pan a stereo channel hard left, you have effectively cut all the information in the right channel. This is one reason to be cautious with bringing instruments into a mixer via a stereo channel...if you try to pan a keyboard, you end up eliminating all the top or bottom notes, depending which way you go.

 

Bob

[Rob_Beech]

I think it needs to be pointed out this is true of Some keyboards, and sometimes, SOME patches on SOME keyboards. Its particularly piano patches that use the stereo outputs across the range of keys so the lower notes will be slightly biased towards the left and the higher ones right, there is no hard panning involved just a slight shift from bottom to top. On the other hand, other patches on keyboards, (brass strings or synth patterns etc) may make use of alot more of the stereo field, certain patches are made up of more than one source or program, some of which maybe in the centre, some left or right or anywhere inbetween. it is for this reason that for live purposes hard panning keyboards left and right is generally frowned upon. It does not necessarily mean that it is better to take a mono feed from a keyboard. Taking a stereo feed allows the engineer to chose what is best, at the time (this may vary during the show). I know most stage pianos do sound better with their left and right outputs through 2 channels panned to the centre, than from the single mono output. The content in stereo mode seems greater.

 

Drifting OT slightly there but useful when using stereo inputs in a live scenario. I try my best to reserve them for CD players etc or reverb/delay returns, or perhaps an input from another desk etc depending on how things work.