next batch of XHTML validation fixes. somebody really hates markup languages here...

[ardour-manual] / _manual / 17_mixing / 02_panning.html

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 title: Panning
 ---                        
 
+<p>
+<em>Panning</em> is the process of distributing 1 or more signals
+    across a series of outputs so that the listener will have the
+    experience of them coming from a particular "space" within the
+    overall listening field.
+</p>
+<p>
+  It is used to create a sense of space and/or a sense of motion in an
+  audio mix. You can spread out different signals acros the space, and
+  make them move within the space over time.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Types of Panners</h2>
+
+<p>
+  The way a panner works depends a great deal on how many signals it
+  is going to process and how many outputs it will send them to. The
+  simplest case is distributing a single signal to 2 outputs, which is
+  the common case when using a "mono" track and a stereo speaker
+  setup.
+</p>
+<p>
+  But panning in Ardour could theoretically involve distributing any
+  number of signals to any number of ouputs. In reality, Ardour does
+  not have specific panners for each different situation. Currently,
+  it has dedicated panners for the following situations:
+</p>
+  <ul>
+    <li>1 signal distributed to 2 outputs (the "mono" panner)</li>
+    <li>2 signals distributed to 2 outputs (the "stereo" panner)</li>
+    <li>N signals distributed to N outputs (the "vbap" panner)</li>
+  </ul>
+<p>  
+  Even for each of these cases, there are many different ways to
+  implement panning. Ardour currently offers just one solution to each
+  of these situations, but in the future will offer more.
+</p>
+
+<h2>Panning is not Balance</h2>
+
+<p>
+  If you are used to the "balance" control found on most home music
+  playback devices, and on many DAWs and audio editors, you may have
+  gained a particular idea of how "panning" should work. You turn the
+  knob to the left, and the signal in the right speaker gradually
+  vanishes as you do. You turn it back to the right, and the signal in
+  the left speaker vanishes in the same way.
+</p>
+<p>
+  This is <strong>not</strong> panning. It does not alter the placement either the
+  left or right signal, but rather is just a different term for
+  "independent gain control". What is actually happening is that as
+  you move the balance control left of center, it reduces the volume
+  of the right channel towards zero, but leaves the left signal at
+  normal volume. When you move it back to right of center, it reduces
+  the volume of the left channel toward zero, and leaves the right
+  channel at normal volume. When the control is exactly in the middle,
+  both channels are at normal volume.
+</p>
+<p>
+  The panners in Ardour control the distribution of at least one
+  signal across at least 2 outputs. Ardour does not (currently) come
+  with a balance control. Many people would like to see one.
+</p>
+
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