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Audio engineering · Recording

Panning (audio)

What is panning (audio)? A clear definition from the audio engineering and recording section of our glossary, with 14 related terms, tools to try and further reading.

Definition of Panning (audio)

Panning is the distribution of an audio signal (either monaural or stereophonic pairs) into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field determined by a pan control setting. A typical recording console has a pan control for each incoming source channel. A pan control or pan pot (shorthand for panoramic potentiometer), is a control with a position indicator that can range continuously from the 7 o'clock when fully left to the 5 o'clock position fully right. Audio mixing software replaces pan pots with on-screen virtual knobs or sliders which function like their physical counterparts.

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What is Panning (audio)?

Panning is the distribution of an audio signal (either monaural or stereophonic pairs) into a new stereo or multi-channel sound field determined by a pan control setting. A typical recording console has a pan control for each incoming source channel.

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