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Using the grid to monitor panning

The grid in the Surround Panner window helps you to visualize how your panning will sound. The grid's spacing changes to match the current pan type.

The vertical lines represent the points where the left-to-right signal ratio is 6 dB, 0 dB, and -6 dB respectively: at the far-left line, the left channel is 6.0 dB louder than the right channel.

The horizontal lines represent the points where the front-to-rear signal ratio is 6 dB, 0 dB, and -6 dB respectively. As you adjust the Center fader, the lines move forward or backward to compensate for the center-channel gain.

Note: The grid assumes that you're using a correctly set-up surround system (matched speakers and ideal positioning). Variations in your monitoring system will cause inconsistencies between the graph and perceived output.

Automating panning

You can automate panning on a track or mixer control by adding keyframes. Keyframes are similar to envelope points in that they specify a settings state at a point in time. However, unlike envelope points, keyframes appear just below the track to which they apply.

To add panning keyframes to a mixer control, you must first view the mixer control in track view. From the View menu, choose Show Bus Tracks to view the bus track at the bottom of the track view. For more information, see Viewing bus tracks on page 188.

Turning on panning keyframes

Before adding individual keyframes, you must first turn on the panning keyframes for the track or bus track.

1.Select the track or bus track for which you want to automate panning.

2.From the Insert menu, choose Audio Envelopes, and choose Surround Pan Keyframes from the submenu.

An additional row appears below the track with a single keyframe positioned at the beginning of the project. This single keyframe represents the current panning settings for the track.

Keyframe

Adding panning keyframes

With panning keyframes turned on, you can add keyframes at any location along the track or bus track.

1.Position the cursor where you want to begin panning the track.

2.Click the Automation Settings button ( ) on the track you want to pan and select Show Automation

Controls.

3.Double-click the surround panner to display the Surround Panner window.

4.Adjust the panning settings. For more information, see Using the Surround Panner window on page 216.

Note: You cannot automate muting/including channels.

WORKING WITH 5.1 SURROUND

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