Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe so - you just wouldn't get the virtual depth of field. The only thing to be aware of is that all the instruments are recorded in centered-stereo, so using the standard pan control on an instrument channel will alter the balance of the recorded samples - you need to use the equivalent of Logic's Directional Mixer plug-in to narrow the width of the recordings so that they can be placed effectively in the stereo field.

There's lot's more about this stuff in the Mixing & Post-Production forum.

C

@cwillsher said:

- you need to use the equivalent of Logic's Directional Mixer plug-in to narrow the width of the recordings so that they can be placed effectively in the stereo field.

C

Thanks - the idea of narrowing the stereo width before panning is an interesting one. Not sure how I'd do that in DP, but worth exploring.

PL

Use Waves Plug-ins called "image" should do what you want

@plurye said:

Thanks - the idea of narrowing the stereo width before panning is an interesting one. Not sure how I'd do that in DP, but worth exploring.PL

Use the plugin Trim in DP. It's pretty obvious how it works.

Both are great suggestions -- thanks.

PL

@plurye said:

Thanks - the idea of narrowing the stereo width before panning is an interesting one. Not sure how I'd do that in DP, but worth exploring.PL

Use the plugin Trim in DP. It's pretty obvious how it works.

Is there another name for the image plug-in? I can't find it at their site.

Thanks,
Mahlon

'Trim' is a plugin that comes with DP. You will find it in the menu with all the other plugins (eq's etc.) at the top of audio or aux channel strips.

Sorry dpcon, I quoted the wrong post; I meant to ask about the "image" plug-in from waves.


Mahlon

Waves has two products that deal with stereo positioning - S1 Imager and PS22 Spread.

PL

PS-22 is a processor to create "stereo" from a mono source, it is not what you want to use for panning. The S-1 Imager is my first choice for panning tasks, although the simple concept of independent panners for left and right channel does the trick most of the time, too.

For true "3D-panning" in a surround-setup, the Waves S-360 is a very powerful tool, BTW.

FWIW PS-22 can be used on stereo tracks as well (otherwise, why would you be able to instantiate it on a stereo track, and why would there be factory presets like "Gentle Stereo Enhancer"?) I've used it as a stereo enhancer many times. But I agree that it's not the right choice for the simple panning issue we're discussing here.

PL

Plurye,

of course you need the PS-22 on a stereo-track, but you start with a mono _signal_ (... otherwise the results would be mono too). The PS-22 is based on a series of EQs with diametrically opposed settings on each side, so it's not a conventional panning device:

-> http://www.waves.com/Content.aspx?id=231

The website cleary states that this is mostly a tool for introducing artificial pseudo-stereo information on an orginally monophonic source.

... but on the other hand - "If it sounds right, it is right!", so don't hesitate to use the PS-22 if it fits you needs. [:)]

I will confess, I didn't actually know what the difference was between the S1 and the PS22, so thanks for clarifying (you know, I always wondered what the difference was...). That said (sorry, can't resist mounting a defense for my case, even if it's pretty feeble(:=)), the website says:

"Ideal for audio restoration, sound effects, guitar leads, and more, the PS22 is unsurpassed for Mono to Stereo emulation, enhancing individual tracks, and rebalancing the spatial imaging of stereo mixes."

The last use mentioned in the quote is what I was referring to. Generally a plugin that REQUIRES a mono source will get instantiated on a mono audio track (or aux track), which it will then convert into a stereo track. The fact that you can instantiate it on a stereo track to begin with means that it is sometimes used on stereo material.

BUT... you're right, it's definitely not the tool to use for the panning purposes we've been discussing. And I'm glad to know that it's primary use is mono-to-stereo conversion.

PL