This article will discuss how drums should be panned and give a step-by-step guide on panning drums.
Panning in audio refers to placing a sound in the stereo field or balancing the left and right channels. It determines the perceived location of the sound source in a mix and can be used to create a sense of space and directionality. Panning can be adjusted using a mixing console or digital audio workstation software and is an essential aspect of music production and sound design.
Drum panning refers to positioning individual drums or percussion instruments in the stereo field to create a balanced and dynamic mix. The goal of drum panning is to separate each instrument so that it can be heard clearly and to create a sense of space and dimension in the mix.
Each drum or percussion instrument can be panned to a different location in the stereo field, typically using a mixing console or digital audio workstation software. For example, the snare drum is often panned to the center, while the kick drum is typically panned to the center or slightly to one side. The hi-hat can be panned slightly to one side, and the toms can be spread across the stereo field.
10 Tips To Pan Drums For Better Mix
Each drum should be treated and balanced separately, but a standard guideline is to keep the kick, snare, and clap in the center, and you can pan the hats, cymbals, and other percussions in your preferred directions in the stereo field. For example, you can pan a cowbell on the left and a shaker on the right.
Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow while panning drums.
- Identify the drums and percussion instruments you want to pan.
This could include the kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat, toms, cymbals, and other percussion instruments. The panning position of each drum and cymbal in a mix can vary depending on the style of music and the overall sound you’re trying to achieve.
However, the kick and the snare drum are generally panned to the center for clarity and stability because of the kick’s fundamental role in providing a solid foundation for the rhythm section.
The kick drum provides the driving force behind the beat, setting the pace and maintaining the pulse of the music. Further, the hi-hat can be panned slightly to one side to create space and separate it from the snare and kick drum.
- Order of panning
Also, go in the following order for setting the pan: Kick followed by the snare/clap, hats, toms, and other cymbals and percussions.
- Keep the Audience and Drummers’ perspectives in mind.
From a drummer’s perspective, a well-balanced and clearly defined drum mix can help to enhance the performance and highlight the individual parts of the drum kit. For example, if the drums are recorded from the drummers’ perspective, then pan the Overhead left to the left and overhead right to the right.
If it was recorded from the audience’s perspective, then vice versa. From an audience perspective, a well-balanced and dynamic drum mix can help to create an immersive and engaging listening experience.
The drums should have enough power and impact to drive the music forward but should also be well-defined and balanced so that they don’t overpower other elements of the mix. A well-panned drum mix can help create a sense of space and separation between different drum kit elements, making it easier for the audience to follow and enjoy the performance.
- Set up a mix bus for the drums.
Create a mix bus or subgroup for your drums so you can control the overall level and panning of the drums as a group. Using a drum bus in audio mixing can improve the overall sound and balance of the drum tracks.
By grouping all of the drum tracks on a single bus, it becomes easier to ensure a consistent sound and balance between all the drum elements, such as the kick, snare, hi-hat, toms, and cymbals. This can help to make the drums sound more cohesive and powerful in the mix.
- Pan the individual drum tracks
Using the pan control on your mixing console or digital audio workstation software, adjust the panning position of each drum track to the desired location in the stereo field. Visualize the mix or the song in a three-dimensional space and see where you imagine each element to be in that space.
For example, you can pan cymbals like the crash and ride to the extreme left and right in the stereo field to create space, higher stereo width, the contrast in left and right channels, and separate each cymbal.
- Triangular v/s Circular Panning
Triangular and circular panning refers to two different approaches to adjusting the stereo image of audio elements in a mix. Triangular panning involves adjusting the stereo image of audio elements in a linear fashion, with the details panned either to the left, right, or center of the mix.
This panning can be useful for creating simple stereo images and can be easily implemented with traditional panning controls on mixing consoles and digital audio workstations. Circular panning, on the other hand, involves adjusting the stereo image of audio elements in a circular fashion, with the elements being panned around a central point in the mix.
This panning can be useful for creating more complex and dynamic stereo images and can be used to create interesting and evolving stereo panning effects. Both triangular and circular panning have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on the specific needs and goals of the mix.
Some engineers may prefer the simplicity and straightforwardness of triangular panning, while others may prefer the creative potential and flexibility of circular panning. There are plugins available for both, so it’s up to you to decide how you visualize your drums and where you want them to be in the stereo field.
- Balance the levels of each drum
Adjust the volume of each drum track so that each instrument can be heard clearly and the overall balance of the drum mix sounds good. Further, listen to the drums in the context of the mix to ensure each instrument is audible and the overall balance is good.
- Pan in mono
When panning drums in mono, the focus is on adjusting the balance between the different elements of the drum kit rather than their position in the stereo field. This is done by controlling the relative volume levels of each drum in the mix.
- Experiment with different panning positions
Try different panning positions for each drum to see how it affects the overall sound and balance of the mix. Lastly, make any necessary adjustments to the panning and levels of the drums until you are happy with the sound.
- Note how they interact with other elements in the mix
It’s also important to consider the other elements in the mix, such as the bass, guitar, and vocals, and how they will interact with the drum sound. The drums should be balanced to support the other elements of the mix rather than overwhelming them.
Conclusion
We have given you a step-by-step guide towards panning drums, but when it comes to music, there are no hard and fast rules, and I encourage you to find your process. These tips are great if you are stuck or need a workflow or others’ perspective, but be flexible with these rules of thumb and feel free to bend them around at your convenience.
To summarise it all, start with the kick and snare, decide on panning positions and the stereo width you want, keep audiences’ and players’ perspectives in mind, level balance the drums or pan them in mono, play around with different panning positions, and see how your drums interact with other elements in your mix.
I hope the article was of help. Thank you for reading.
Shaurya Bhatia, is an Indian Music Producer, Composer, Rapper & Performer, who goes by the stage name MC SNUB, and is also 1/2 of the Indian pop music duo, called “babyface”. A certified Audio Engineer & Music Producer, and a practicing musician & rapper for more than 6 years, Shaurya has worked on projects of various genres and has also been a teaching faculty at Spin Gurus DJ Academy.