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Panning – Definition
Panning is the process of positioning an audio signal within the stereo field between the left and right speakers or headphones.
What is Panning?
In music production, panning controls where a sound appears in the stereo image. A sound sent equally to both channels is heard in the centre, while reducing the level in one channel moves the sound toward the opposite side. Panning helps create separation, width, and clarity in a mix.
Modern digital audio workstations (DAWs) use pan controls to place instruments and voices across the stereo field, making recordings sound more spacious and balanced.
How is Panning used in piano playing?
Pianists encounter panning when recording or performing with digital pianos, keyboards, and virtual instruments. Stereo piano sounds are often panned so that lower notes appear slightly to the left and higher notes slightly to the right, reflecting the natural layout of the keyboard.
Understanding panning helps keyboard players create clearer arrangements and achieve a more professional stereo mix.