On the surface, panning and pan laws might sound like the driest topic in the world—but if you care about making mixes that translate everywhere, you can’t afford to ignore them. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a deep dive into the mechanics and the myths of stereo placement, with their usual mix of expertise, humor, and truth bombs.
First, they cover the basics: What is panning? What are pan laws? And why are they such a big deal when it comes to balancing tracks in stereo? You’ll learn how pan laws affect perceived loudness, how different DAWs handle them, and why some engineers insist they contribute to that elusive idea of a “DAW sound.”
From there, Chris and Jody explore real-world scenarios. How do pan laws impact mono compatibility? Why does it matter when you collaborate with other studios or engineers? And how can you use this knowledge to avoid translation issues when moving sessions between DAWs? They’ll also dig into some common misconceptions, bust a few myths, and explain how this “brutally boring” subject can actually make a measurable difference in your mixes.
As always, it’s not just theory. Expect recording setup tips, insights into hidden features in studio gear, and plenty of practical takeaways for anyone working with home studio gear. And because it’s Chris and Jody, you’ll also get humor, banter, and a little nonsense—because even pan laws deserve a laugh.
If you’ve ever wondered why your mixes sound different when played back in another DAW, or why mono checks sometimes fall apart, this episode will give you the clarity (and chuckles) you need.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E
Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.
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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com