Panning

Panning is the placement of a sound across the stereo field, anywhere from far left to centre to far right, by adjusting how much of it goes to each speaker. It is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in mixing: spreading instruments across the stereo image gives a mix width and clarity, lets each element occupy its own space, and creates a sense of a real, three-dimensional soundstage rather than everything piled in the centre. Lead vocals, bass and kick drums are usually kept centred for power and focus, while guitars, keys, backing vocals and effects are panned outward to open up the picture and avoid crowding.