Automating pan controls is one way to add movement to sounds, but what about when you want to get away from predictability and inject some creativity? We show you the tools.
Static vs Dynamic Panning
Placing sounds within the stereo picture is the tried and trusted way of adding spatial realism to mono sources by changing their level between two channels in a stereo mix, or by applying multichannel differences for surround formats. That placement can remain constant, but often adding movement that changes over time is needed to track the action in a film or TV mix, or to add excitement or dynamism to sources in a music mix.
Dynamic panning can simply be the act of moving a pan control during a realtime “mixdown” (perhaps the easiest method) or by programming and/or recording those changes using automation. While any kind of manual pan moves or drawn-in events can be stored using automation, the process can be time consuming, and perhaps worse, the results predictable and cyclic.
Sound Particles Panner Collection
The Panner Collection from Sound Particles sees their Energy Panner and Brightness Panner AAX Native, AU, AUv3, VST and VST3 plugins brought together to provide the answer to dynamic panning that brings speedy workflow and creative interest to your mix.
Energy Panner uses the level of the input signal to dynamically change the position of the audio in the stereo field depending on what the music is doing; it also has a sidechain input so you could, for example, move a pad sound around depending on what a vocal is doing.
All start and end points for the stereo position are configurable, and the The Pan and Sliding modes allow a source to return to its starting position or to ‘stick’ before the next image shift respectively.
Time constants are controllable using familiar compressor-style controls (after all, it’s changing the output levels depending on input level). Other controls include Dry/Wet, Random and configurable output formats. Surround panning is folded down for use in stereo mixes.
Brightness Panner uses the frequency of the input signal to dynamically change the position of the audio in the stereo field depending on what the music is doing. The detector can be switched to track brightness (as determined by the frequency of the source), pure pitch, or MIDI note.
All start and end points for the stereo position are configurable, and the The Pan and Sliding modes allow a source to return to its starting position or to ‘stick’ before the next image shift respectively.
Sidechain filters let you dial in the range of operation, to limit movement to certain registers, for example. Linkable Attack and Release controls govern the panning movement’s speed. Other controls include Dry/Wet, Random and configurable output formats. Surround panning is folded down for use in stereo mixes.
Final Thoughts
Dynamic panning is another way to bring excitement to any sound be it for music, or for sound design. Being able to use a plugin to automate the process creatively without using conventional DAW tools definitely re-injects inspiration to the process, and if you’re stuck in an automation rut, why not let a dedicated tool take the strain instead?
Head over to Sound Particles to check out the Panner Collection for yourself.