Mixing query

[Neil B]

Can any of you gurus help a mixing ignoramas please?

I've just about finished a track & am about to mix.
One of the parts of the track is a repetitive sequence effectively auto-panning from left to right & back.
Naturally the volume level of this is at its maximum at centre pan.
What I want to do is to reduce the level at centre pan only, so that the volume is fairly constant wherever the sound happens to be.

I'm pretty certain the answer is compression, but (oh Neil don't admit this, it's embarrasing) I've never got my head around compressors.
Sure, I have lots of articles to read up on, but if anyone can suggest the way to go on achieving what I want to do, I'd be grateful.
It's quite a busy little sequence, so riding the mixer faders in Cubase isn't an option.

I can upload a few bars if anyone accepts the challenge

EDIT:
File attached:
www.tonaleffects.co.uk/seq2.mp3


Thanks

[wayne]

Hi Neil - would Shane White's Full Panning Device do the trick?

http://www.planetz.com/Pulsar/files/dev ... Insert.dev

[Neil B]

It's worth a look Wayne thanks.
Reading it, it appears to create panning. I already have the wave panning, I just want to squash the volume a bit in the middle of the cycle (centre pan).

Anyway - I'll have a look at this little fella.

[wayne]

Maybe Stereo Expander would do that too. I dunno

[dawman]

Wayne read my mind.
The Full Panning device is what a Fender Rhodes Satellite/speaker model used. It has an even db level across the sterep field.
Or you could use an Expander to raise the levels and then a brickwall Limiter which will keep the signal at the chosen threshold.
The Stereo Expander is a favorite of mine too, but it actually widens the Stereo field.
I think you'll like the full panning device's even keel...

[siriusbliss]

why not just use automation in your host?
Once you have the auto-curve, can you not just copy/paste it in the Cubase track, or just draw it in?

Otherwise, yes, some compression would probably do the trick.

Greg

[valis]

Sounds like you're basically trying to affect pan law just on that stereo pair. Try converting to M/S mode and attenuate the M channel a bit (~3dB)?

[Neil B]

Some good ideas there folks thank you.

The idea of expander & limiter makes sense to me Jimmy, although I've never used these beasties yet (oh the shame)

Greg - never thought about just getting the curve right in Cubase on one loop and then copying it - it'd probably get me closer to a level signal and then compress the last bit.
I suppose the final output will be something that goes from side to side in a linear fashion, instead of sounding as if it's going "up & over".

Actually, it doesn't sound too bad without me doing anything (I've made a first cut mix), but I'll certainly try all these ideas out. It's only a learning curve track anyway, using only Omnisphere (3 tracks) & 8 tracks of RMX, so it isn't anything special - just messing about with mixing.
First cut is here:
www.tonaleffects.co.uk/magi.mp3

Thanks for your help all - I'll try your ideas out this week.

[braincell]

I used to record automation in Cubase but it is so much easier to edit the automation track with the pencil tool.

[Neil B]

I tend to use a mixture of the two Braincell.
I really like the Spectrasonics Midi Learn function, especially in Stylus RMX.
A lot of the midi automation gets things "close" and then I tend to fine tune with automation in Cubase. Mind you, I'm still on a learning curve with Cubase 4.5. I enjoy messing about and trying different things in simple tone poems so that I become more intuitive in all things.
Nice tip though.

[braincell]

I used the learn function in new devices to map breath to the volume for my Yamaha WX5. It's brilliant on the VSL solo oboe.