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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 180
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 180 |
Ok, so here is a question I have been wondering about for some time but was too embarrassed to ask;
I understand the concept of a stereo mix with all the individual instruments panned across a soundstage to give the impression of real physical placement.
I also understand (I think) the concept of an individual stereo track - an instrument or voice recorded by two mikes simultaneously and placed somewhere in the physical soundstage between those two mikes.
What I don't understand is what happens when you place a stereo track into a stereo mix? For instance if the individual stero track is panned towards the right of its own soundstage and then you place it into a stereo mix and pan that track hard left do you hear nothing or does it sound slightly less to the left than a mono track that is also panned hard left?
I also don't understand what the benefits are of having individual tracks recorded in stereo (but I am sure that there are some benefits).
The BIAB Realtracks export creates stereo WAV files which I then import into Cubase for mixing. Because I don't really understand the answer to to the questions above I always export the Realtrack WAVs panned dead centre which seems to allow me to place them anywhere in the stereo mix within Cubase with no problems.
Whilst this works OK I don't know if I am missing any creative possibilities.
Can anyone enlighten me?
If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
Experiment...
But you seem to know more than you think you do, even if you don't think so. Stereo works great on some instruments where you want them to be able to play on both sides of the sound stage (such as keyboards).
If what you are working with works for you then work it!
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi Aubrey,
Stereo Tracks can be panned within a mix along with the mono tracks because of a feature called, "Equal Energy Panning" that is applied to the stereo tracks.
Let's say you have a nice Grand Piano track that used two mics. (Recorded to one stereo track.)
Panning that stereo track will result in both tracks being panned the appropriate "distance".
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 180
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 180 |
Thanks guys for the responses.
I am a little more comfortable with what I have been doing but not sure that I fully understand why!
I guess that, as Sam suggests, I will just have to play around with this feature a bit and see what I like the sound of.
Best Regards, Aubrey
If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 451
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 451 |
Hi Aubrey, Good question, have been trying to get my head around it since I read an article on TheWhippinpost blog. "Sound Mixing: 10 Essential Tips to Know" http://www.thewhippinpost.co.uk/mixing-music/mixing-tutorial/10-mixing-tips-p1.htmTip # 1 Use MONO Sound Sources Excerpt from article ..... Drowning in Stereo Recording your sound sources in stereo (or using stereo samples) can make it very difficult to find a "hole" in the mix for other instruments to sit. This can lead to excessive EQ fiddling to create one - cue battle of the sounds. A well-recorded mono sound source on the other hand, can be placed with relative ease onto the sound-stage, allowing you to much better handle what, and how, effects should be applied with regard to other neighbouring instruments and their positions and frequencies in the mix...... 1.Record in stereo - record again in stereo! With mono, you just tweak the panning and effects (if any) until seasoned. 2.If 2 mono sound parts are sharing the same frequency range then just try and simply pan them slightly: one to the right, other to the left (a couple of notches either side is usually enough). 3.If you must record in stereo, use 2 mono channels to capture right and left separately. Be interested to hear what others think. Col
iMac, 3.7 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5, BIAB MAC2024 (802), Audient iD4
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
That article must assume that you don't have a program that has the Equal Energy Panning function for stereo tracks.
As stated above, you should still be able to Pan stereo tracks in RB or PT and have them move left or right in the field without losing the stereo of the track. Of course, panning all the way over to one side or the other, you will lose the stereo effect somewhat due to the extreme nature of the pan.
rule of thumb with Realtracks, simple enough, just leave them as they are and use them, if they come up as stereo track, use that. And don't be afraid to pan them.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 451
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 451 |
Hi Mac
When I read the article it made me think whether you achieved a more accurate panned effect with Mono, when you try and move your frequencies around to avoid "masking",
I don't mean hard left or right, but just adjusting things off centre to make various instruments clearer.
But I assume what your saying is that "Equal Energy Panning" distributes Stereo sound as precisely Mono when positioning in a mix.
Col
iMac, 3.7 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5, BIAB MAC2024 (802), Audient iD4
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
With properly implemented Equal Energy Panning, the stereo mix should remain stereo, but be moved left or right by the amount of your pan.
For example, a stereo grand piano, with the low strings on L mic and mid/highs on R mic should remain basically that, but will exhibit a narrower spread than when panned dead center.
Best thing to do is try it. Load up a good single instrument stereo track and play with the panning. That stereo grand piano is a good one for it is a bit easier to hear the difference between the two tracks. A stereo acoustic guitar track may be more difficult to tell these things about.
--Mac
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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