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:
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
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
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
Thanks for the tip, Tony, I'll experiment on my next song.
Man, I can't believe I just discovered this yesterday after using Reaper for almost three years now!
Yeah, how you use panning in a given DAW is important. That's why my default work method is to make a stereo track become two MONO tracks instead .. then you can manually control the volume/placement of the L/R volumes for any track. I've argued this in various threads as some assume some kind of magic adjustment happens when panning in their given DAW, but to my knowledge the only true way to have total control in any DAW is to handle a stereo track as two MONO racks and point/adjust them where you want to.
Sure, other methods may work fine in a given situation or DAW, but there is a good argument (in my eyes) to handle them as mentioned if you really want total control.
Reducing/boosting Left or Right in a stereo field is NOT the same as pointing both tracks a little left or right and still controlling how much 'left or right' we hear. Example: Stereo piano has the upper register more right and the lower more left. If I reduce right and boost left by using only Pan on a stereo track I may get more upper register and no real panning difference (position in the soundstage). If I can pan both L/R to one side and still control how much upper/lower register I get I have more control.
Sorry if this isn't clear to some or I haven't explained it well enough. Mixing stereo tracks can have many nuances that you can have more control over if you simply treat them as two MONO tracks.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I did for a while expand (explode or whatever the terminology is) stereo into two mono tracks then adjust each. The dual panning in Reaper appears to pretty much do the same and it is far easier. One can put each track (side) of the stereo where you want in the mix from 100% each side to any other place.
The advantages of the dual panning comes when adding plugins, automation or adjusting volume etc. When expanding the tracks in Reaper it does however basically put both sides into a folder under the “original track” so automation etc can be put on the “original” track.
Putting the stereo tracks to mono may help when getting rid or reducing noise such as fret slur (not as drastic as cutting both sides). Also if you want to have different effects on each side but that is not all that common.
I often duplicate the drums track that I pull in from BIAB so I can filter the kick drum and lower toms from the snare and higher end so I can adjust the drums mix a bit. Maybe there is a better way to do this.
I guess we all have our own way of getting the job done.
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
I did for a while expand (explode or whatever the terminology is) stereo into two mono tracks then adjust each. The dual panning in Reaper appears to pretty much do the same and it is far easier. One can put each track (side) of the stereo where you want in the mix from 100% each side to any other place.
Yes, that's exactly what it does, and it's a very cool feature. I was experimenting with it yesterday for a while, very powerful. Not sure if this is an ability that all modern DAWs have?? I came to reaper from an ancient version of Adobe Audition (V3) which definitely did not.
Like you, after many years of using Reaper, I discovered the Pan Modes, too. I've used Dual Pan a few times since and it seems to provide an easy way to manage and visualise stereo spread.
My experience is that Reaper is like Band In A Box... there's always something new to learn just around the corner.
Logic Pro X has a track plug-in (Direction Mixer) that also addresses those issues.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Thanks to Dave for getting me once again to check out Kenny Gioia on Reaper. I have been looking for a way to easily reduce acoustic squeak as Kenny calls it. He used Spectral Edit and it works. Easier and not as destructive as a split and reduce volume.
Thanks for mentioning that Kenny had put together a video on spectral editing. I hadn't realised that it was now available. I've been wondering how to use the spectral editor for a while and Kenny's video is excellent (as his always seem to be). I have to say, it's a brilliant tool! I love the concept of being able to so easily edit specific frequencies in a given region. I can see that this is going to be one of those important tools in my musical tool chest.
For removing clicks, pops, squeaks and other unwanted noise this Spectral Editing really makes it easy. It is often difficult to eq noise out and cutting things such as squeak out of nice acoustic guitar parts is destructive. Using spectral editing is faster with less damage (I think).
Always learning new tricks Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
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Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
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You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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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