Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Just discovered this yesterday.

In Reaper (and other DAWs ??) the default pan mode for a stereo track is called "stereo balance" which means when you pan left the volume of the left part of the stereo image is increased and the right part of the stereo image is reduced, and visa versa for panning right. So it's not like a pan control on a mono track where the audio is actually being moved right or left. The audio stays in the same place, just the volume on the left and right sides is being changed.

But in addition to the stereo balance mode there are two other pan modes for stereo tracks.

First is called "stereo pan" that actually shifts the stereo image left or right instead of just adjusting the volume of each channel, and in addition has a "width" control that determines how wide the stereo image will be. You can adjust from full stereo to full mono and everything in between.

Second is called "dual pan". This mode gives you two pan controls, one for each channel. So you can pan each side of the stereo audio independently of each other wherever you want in the stereo field.

Always nice to learn something new! Just passing this along in case anyone else finds it useful, here is the video that talks about it:



I have found using the dual pan mode is really good for giving a great spread. For example two guitars, piano, bass and drums. Put one guitar 40% / 100% left the other guitar 40% / 100%right the piano 10% left 30% right with bass and drums in the centre gives a full spread with good separation. Also things sound cleaner. (Obviously with more or different instruments the percentages or even positions change.) Have been doing it in that fashion for some time.

I use the right click on the pan button to select Dual Pan on stereo tracks to get them set. Then use the mixer lengthened to check the levels (as well as my ears).

Thanks for the heads up.

Tony

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