Panning VI questions

[bonzerboy]

Someone told me always use VI as stereo instrument track. Reason is you would get more options later in mixing. My question is if you have many VI in stereo is to good to say pan the VI L & R channel to same position ot does it build up to much volume or freq? Another question is would it be better to bound down to mono summed or multiple mono and delete one track? I did try bouncing down some VIs to mono summed and it seems like it changed the sound. Curious of any tips..

[Ben Jenssen]

Originally Posted by bonzerboy

Someone told me always use VI as stereo instrument track. Reason is you would get more options later in mixing. My question is if you have many VI in stereo is to good to say pan the VI L & R channel to same position ot does it build up to much volume or freq? Another question is would it be better to bound down to mono summed or multiple mono and delete one track? I did try bouncing down some VIs to mono summed and it seems like it changed the sound. Curious of any tips..

I think you are over-thinking this. Some VIs can be mono, but most are stereo only. Yes, if you want it to be mono, center left and right, and bounce if you want. If nothing is wrong, it should sound just fine. You can record it to a mono audio track if you want. Stereo VIs act no differently from stereo audio tracks. Just get on with it. No offence.

[JFreak]

There are two types of stereo instruments.

First, true stereo which for example emulate orchestra. Flute is there in the stereo image where it usually sits in a real orchestra. This I would let be wide open and if necessary modify the stereo placement within the instrument (if possible).

Second, stereo instruments that do some widening or other modulation to be stereo. This you should treat just like a regular reverb. For example instead of wide open, place one instrument to full left - dead center and another instrument dead center - full right.

[albee1952]

I also always(?) keep VI's as stereo tracks, but don't always pan hard left/right. Just my 2 cents; I consider my stereo field(what I hear from my stereo monitors) as a virtual stage. So, as an example, a grand piano does not take up the entire stage, so I might pan it 10 and 2 o'clock, or I might push it off to one side as in 11 o'clock and 5 o'clock. Of course, there are no rules here, only ideas

[bonzerboy]

Thanks for the replies some things to think about and yeah over thinking is what I do LOL

[bonzerboy]

Here is another question from my over thinking mind if you are to bounce a stereo VI to make it mono does it matter if you center bot pans or npot?

[K Roche]

Sorry but "always use stereo instrument tracks" is not a hard and fast rule
because there are no rules.. That said

Now while it is true that you can always pan a stereo track to the same side and number position it is also true if you know you are going to want some instruments in mono you can just put them on a mono track

In my session templates that include instrument tracks I usually have 2-4 mono and 2-4 stereo,, tracks ready to go
just my 2 cents

[Ben Jenssen]

Originally Posted by bonzerboy

Here is another question from my over thinking mind if you are to bounce a stereo VI to make it mono does it matter if you center bot pans or npot?

Sure. If R and L are significantly different, you most often want them both in the mono bounce/print. So you pan them both to the center or one side, and you have your summed mono.

[Stephen Bond]

Originally Posted by bonzerboy

Someone told me always ...

Be careful of the absolute. Is this person the Omnipotent?

Regarding the stereo / mono!

• What is the source?
• How many mics used?
• How was is mixed to get the VI?
• What options are in the VI for mixing?
• What are you trying to achieve?
• What type speakers are most listening of the intended audience listening to [one/two/multiple(s)]?

Every absolute statement brings more questions, absolutely!

Stephen

[albee1952]

As for bouncing or committing, I would bounce/commit as stereo and treat the pan knobs the same as on the instrument track. That way, if later on you change your mind, you aren't stuck with a mono track