Notes on Pan Laws in Logic Pro 10

Introduction

• Speaker: Chris Fehn, White Logic Pool Rules
• Focus: Understanding pan laws in Logic Pro 10 and their effects on mixes.

What are Pan Laws?

• Pan laws adjust volume when panning tracks from center to left/right.
• Users report perceived changes in mix width when altering pan laws.
• Misconceptions about volume changes vs. perceived changes.

Demonstration of Pan Laws

• Initial Setup: Drum loop at 0 dB with gain plugin to prevent clipping.
  • Peak meter shows negative 0.0 dB.

Hard Panning Observations

• **Panning to the Left/Right:
  ** - Volume perceived as consistent (same loudness) when panning from left to right.
  • Peak Levels:
    • Hard left/right are 3 dB louder than center when pan law set to -3 dB compensated.
    • Center track level remains at 0 dB in this setting.

Different Pan Law Settings

1. Pan Law at 0 dB:
   • Sounds like volume drops when panned from center to edges.
2. Pan Law at -3 dB:
   • Center volume is reduced by 3 dB to keep perceptual volume consistent.
   • Hard left/right remain at 0 dB.
3. Pan Law at -3 dB Compensated:
   • Center tracks remain at 0 dB, while hard left/right signals are boosted by 3 dB.
   • Ensures that listeners perceive no volume change when panning.

Perceptual Volume vs. Actual Volume

• Perception: Users perceive changes in the mix as they adjust pan laws, often thinking it affects stereo width.
• Reality: Changes in pan law mainly adjust volume, not width of the mix.
• Pan laws do not change mixing decisions; mixing remains consistent regardless of pan law settings.

Application of Pan Laws

• Pan law compensation can also be applied to stereo balancers.
• Balancing does not adjust for perceptual change like panning does.

Conclusion

• Pan laws are often misunderstood, leading to unnecessary controversy.
• Default pan law of -3 dB compensated is designed to maintain consistent perception of volume.
• Encouragement to subscribe to the YouTube channel and website for more tips on Logic Pro 10.