Quick Question That Requires an Even Quicker Answer - What Setting For Pan Law?

[MondoLikeMetal]

Quick question that requires an even quicker answer - What setting do you guys like to use for the "Pan Law" in Reaper? The default settings is -3 db (i.e two of the same guitar tracks are panned hard left and hard right, and the volume for each is decreased by 3dbs)

Do you use -3, 0 or some other setting?

 

[Damage, Inc.]

There isn't any real need to use a setting other than -3.

 

[-Noodles-]

If you're using two speakers - use -3dB.

There are arguments for different panning laws, but to be honest I've never really felt the need to have anything other than 3.

 

[hidemerre]

I'm in cubase and -3dB is Ok.

 

[AdamWathan]

In Reaper make sure you use the +3.0 (Boost L/R) version of the pan law, not the -3.0. The +3.0 boosts the signal when it's panned, -3.0 cuts the signal in the center. They sound the same, but the +3.0 plays much nicer with the routing in Reaper. If you use the -3.0 one, as soon as you throw something into a folder it gets cut by -3.0db. Using the +3.0 pan law avoids this problem!

If you are using Reaper 4, they changed these options slightly, now there's just a "Gain compensated" checkbox instead of all the + options in the dropdown, so make sure you have gain compensation turned on!

 

[MondoLikeMetal]

I'll try the +3, and then give you guys a "Rate My Tone" soon.

 

[OneDaySky]

I been using Cubase for 9 years now and changed from -3 to equal power a year ago, and that works best for me. Think its all preference in panning behaviour.