ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the stereo soundstage and different imaging concepts so that one can more effectively exploit the space in their own projects – and use mics and mic techniques to record the sound the mix needs, rather than trying to “force” inappropriately recorded sounds into a mix using electronic processing. Static panning occurs when the pan controls remain unchanged throughout the mix. It is good to pan some sound sources away from the center to improve clarity and interest. In a hypothetical mix, the lead vocal might be panned center, the electric guitar panned to the left, and the acoustic guitar to the right, and they stay in those locations for the entire song. Stereo image symmetry and physical balance are desirable in a mix. If there are too many elements or too much amplitude on one side of the stereo soundstage, the image becomes lopsided and unbalanced.
