Panning: The Difference Between Mess and Masterpiece

Band Stage Plan

Unlike the orchestra, digital band panning differs from actual stage positioning.

Modern bands (3 to 6 pieces; sometimes more) consist of one or more singers, guitarists, bassists, drumers, and keyboardists. Occasionally space is afforded to a solo instrument or two such as a violin, harmonica, saxophone, etc… The way these instruments are spaced on stage is highly dependent on which instruments there are, the style they’re playing, and the venue.

The placement of instruments on stage is only of minor importance, however, when considering where to place your instruments in the mix. Professionally mixed tracks are panned a bit differently from how you would expect. In general, consider the following:

  • The singer is mixed in the center (o%).
  • The bass is mixed in the center (0%).
  • The guitar is recorded perfectly twice, with one take on either side of the vocals (between 65% and 80%). If taking the guitar line twice is not feasible, then place two copies of the guitar line on either side and push one so that it plays just a slight bit late.
  • Other instruments should be panned to the left and right so that nothing besides very low-frequency sounds occupy the same center space as the singer.

Panning drums is a slightly more complicated affair, but luckily, you’re probably working with software drums, rather than a live kit. There is a nice list of suggestions for panning drums (as well as entire band arrangements) on AudioRecording.me. I’ll briefly summarize how drums should be panned.

  • Kick drum – center
  • Left and right toms – 3.2% left
  • Floor tom – 6.25% left
  • Ride cymbal – 12.5% left
  • snare drum – 6.25% right
  • Crash cymbal – 9.4% right
  • High hat – 12.5% right

These numbers are approximate and they don’t encompass all the drums you may want to use, but it’s a great starting place.


Once again, we have reached the the Bottom Line™. Remember, this guide is only the start, but hopefully panning you instruments properly will help give your song that extra professional boost you’ve been searching for.

I hope to hear more Western VOCALOID music that feels as pro as the Japanese stuff, especially as the release date of VOCALOID3 draws ever closer.

About The Author

Kodakami

I'm an independent video game musician with a love for VOCALOID music. I've written a few Engloid originals, and always have more in the works (though it takes me a while to release them). I own Big Al, Sweet Ann, Oliver, Galaco, LOLA, LEON, and MIRIAM.

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