Set channel strip pan or balance in Logic Pro for iPad

You can control the position of individual channel strips using the pan/balance controls to position them (and their corresponding tracks) across the stereo field. Whether you are positioning important parts in the center, hard-panning to create a wide mix, or want to achieve an unusual effect, you can use the pan/balance controls to control the overall stereo width of the mix and the placement of each part within it.

The Pan/Balance knob (pan is short for panorama) controls the left-to-right position from which the channel is heard in the stereo field. You can set the pan or balance position for each track in a project.

Logic Pro includes several different panning modes. Mono channel strips have a Pan knob, and stereo channel strips can use either a Balance knob or a Stereo Pan knob:

Figure. Channel strips showing balance and stereo pan knobs.

Pan: Mono channel strips have a Pan knob that determines the position of the signal in the stereo field. At the center position, equal amounts of the signal are sent to the left and right sides. If you move the knob to the left, more of the signal is sent to the left side and less is sent to the right.
Balance: This is the default mode for stereo channel strips. In Balance mode, turning the knob to the left lowers the level of the right channel, and turning it to the right lowers the level on the left channel.
Stereo Pan: This mode is also available for stereo channel strips. In Stereo Pan mode, you can control both the pan position and the width (spread) of the stereo image.

Signals at the center of the stereo field might sound louder than those panned hard right or hard left. To compensate for this perceived increase in volume at the center position, Logic Pro applies a standard amount of volume reduction for signals panned to the center (called pan law).

Choose the pan mode for stereo channel strips

In Logic Pro, tap the Setup button in the Mixer menu bar (if it is not already selected).
Tap the Output slot on a channel strip.
Under Pan Options, tap either Stereo Pan or Balance.
Tap outside the window to close it.

Adjust channel strip pan or balance position

In Logic Pro, drag the Pan or Balance knob of a channel strip vertically to adjust the pan or balance position.

Adjust the spread for a Stereo Pan channel strip

In Logic Pro, tap the Stereo Pan knob for a channel strip to show the numeric input dialog.
In the numeric input dialog, do one of the following:
- Drag the green ring vertically to adjust the Spread amount as well as the pan position (the Value number).
- Tap the Spread amount, then adjust the amount using the Decrement/Increment buttons.
- Tap the Spread amount, tap the Number Pad button , then adjust the amount using the numeric keypad.
When you’re done, tap Done to dismiss the numeric input dialog.

Note: You can invert the left and right channel by entering a negative Spread amount. When the Spread amount is negative, the ring changes to orange (both in the numeric input dialog and on the channel strip).

Download this guide: PDF

Helpful?

Logic Pro User Guide for iPad

Set channel strip pan or balance in Logic Pro for iPad

Choose the pan mode for stereo channel strips

Adjust channel strip pan or balance position

Adjust the spread for a Stereo Pan channel strip