5 Panning Tricks in Cubase 9.5

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through five innovative panning techniques in Cubase 9.5. Panning is a crucial aspect of mixing, allowing you to position sounds within the stereo field. Mastering these techniques can enhance your audio projects and provide a more immersive listening experience.

Step 1: Using the Stereo Pan Control

• Open your Cubase project.
• Locate the track you want to adjust.
• Find the pan knob in the mixer or track inspector.
• Turn the knob left or right to place the sound in the stereo field.
• Tip: Experiment with extreme panning (hard left or right) for creative effects, such as when working with stereo instruments.

Step 2: Utilizing the Panning Law

• Go to the "File" menu and select "Preferences."
• Navigate to the "MixConsole" section.
• Adjust the panning law setting to your preference (the default is typically -3 dB).
• Common Pitfall: Changing panning law can affect your mix balance, so make sure to listen closely after making adjustments.

Step 3: Automating Pan Movements

• Select the track you want to automate.
• Click on the "Show Automation" button in the track header.
• Choose "Pan" from the available automation parameters.
• Draw your automation curve in the automation lane to create dynamic panning effects.
• Tip: Use gradual curves for smooth transitions and sharp angles for more abrupt movement.

Step 4: Using Quadraphonic Panning

• Ensure your project settings support surround sound.
• In the mixer, create a quad track by selecting "Surround" from the track type options.
• Use the surround panning tool to place sounds in a four-channel space.
• Real-world Application: This technique works well for film scoring or immersive audio experiences.

Step 5: Employing the Panning Envelopes

• Access the "Envelopes" section in the track inspector.
• Activate the panning envelope feature.
• Draw your desired panning movements over time, creating complex spatial effects.
• Tip: Experiment with different envelope shapes for unique sounds, such as circular or oscillating panning.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned five effective panning techniques in Cubase 9.5. By mastering the stereo pan control, adjusting panning laws, automating pan movements, utilizing quadraphonic panning, and employing panning envelopes, you can greatly enhance your mixing skills. Next steps include experimenting with these techniques in your projects to develop your unique sound. Happy mixing!