Proper Panning when double tracking...

My strategy is to record each track in mono and pan them L/R. If I need a huge stereo sound I'll add different delays to each, but I try not to cloud up the mix with stereo delays and reverbs - the double tracking gives enough of the expansive stereo sound IMO.

If you do need more of an immersive feeling I'd do it in the DAW by cloning each, sliding the clones slightly back in time (to the right in the DAW) and panning them to the other side and lowering the level to taste.

Hi,

If you put the tracks hard left and right...and solo them and can only hear left....and then solo right...leave the other setting.

Its just asking you what panning you want to appear when you create a new track...and the default for a stereo track will be...stereo panning!

Cheers,

Greg

Quote from Finally

My strategy is to record each track in mono and pan them L/R.

I do the same, although I pretty much never pan hard L/R

a typical example for me would be

double-tracked guitar 1
take A 11 o'clock

take B 3 o'clock

double tracked guitar 2
take A 9 o'clock

take B 1 o'clock

If I move these around, I keep the x 'hours' distance between the takes

Recently, I’ve become a fan of LCR panning in mixes, so I usually record a main mono rhythm track panned to the middle, usually with less gain and more clarity and bite, then dub that with tracks panned hard left and right, usually with more gain and less definition. How tightly you can dub will always determine how well any double or triple tracking works (and by definition, the original “first” take should be locked in with the drum and bass groove). I’ve found this works pretty well, though. You can achieve the expansive wall of guitars sound, yet with the centre panned track giving a lot of the definition, you can sculpt the stereo guitars to not drown the mix.

As a bit of a rule for me - LCR for the first 80% of mixing...leaving your odd jangles and little bits of interest/sweetness some room to pop in and out from the 10 and 2 o'clock positions

Though have been doing more and more of the guitar at 10 and the delay/effects corresponding to that track at 2 oclock - a bit van halen-y without the playing!

And ALWAYS checking in mono...lots!

Quote from Greg

And ALWAYS checking in mono...lots!

I quite often get the general balance in mono before panning things, then rechecking in mono, just to make sure the balances haven’t gotten screwed and tweaking where necessary (panning laws and all).