In the world of music creation, where every element of the sound palette matters, the stereo field plays a crucial role in shaping depth and volume. Simple yet effective use of panning can transform static sound into dynamic, moving, adding life and excitement to your tracks. This is where automatic panning plugins come to the rescue, and “opposite” from SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN is a prime example of such a tool, offering an intuitive approach to stereo movement.
What is “opposite”?
“opposite” is a compact and effective VST plugin, developed by the specialists at SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN. Its main purpose is to automatically pan the sound, creating a sense of movement “in orbits” between the left and right channels. The key feature, which the name “opposite” highlights, is that when moving the sound completely to one channel, the opposite channel also reacts synchronously, but in the opposite direction, ensuring smooth and balanced movement in the stereo field.
This plugin is ideal for musicians and sound engineers looking for a simple way to add spatial dynamics to their mixes without delving into complex settings. Whether it’s a gentle sway for a background sound, carrying atmosphere, or a fast, rhythmic flip of a guitar riff between the speakers – “opposite” is capable of handling these tasks.
Key features and parameters
“opposite” offers a set of key parameters that allow for precise adjustment of the automatic panning character:
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Speed: This parameter controls the panning movement’s tempo. From slow, barely noticeable oscillations that create a sense of sound “breathing” to fast, even tremolo-like effects – you can set the exact speed that best suits the rhythm and mood of your track.
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Wide: Determines the panning movement’s amplitude. At low values, the sound will stay closer to the center, while at maximum values, it will move completely from the extreme left to the extreme right channel, maximizing the stereo field expansion.
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Shape: One of the most interesting parameters, affecting the “orbit shape” of the panning. It allows moving away from the standard sinusoidal movement, giving it a unique, possibly more sharp or asymmetrical character, making “opposite” more flexible than it seems at first glance.
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Vol (Volume): A simple output volume control that allows you to compensate for any level changes caused by panning or simply adjust the overall signal level after processing.
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PW (Pulse Width): This parameter becomes active only when selecting the Pulse waveform. It allows controlling the duty cycle, significantly changing the rhythmic panning character.
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Wave (Waveform): Allows you to select the waveform along which the panning movement will occur. Available options: Sine, Saw, Ramp, Triangle, and Pulse. Each waveform gives panning its unique feel – from smooth and organic (Sine, Triangle) to more sharp and rhythmic (Saw, Ramp, Pulse).
Why use an autopanner?
Using automatic panning plugins like “opposite” opens up a multitude of creative possibilities in production:
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Adding movement and dynamics: Static sounds can quickly bore the listener. Panning adds life to them, creating a sense of changing space.
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Expanding the stereo image: Even if the main sound is monophonic or narrow in stereo, the autopanner can significantly expand it in the mix, making it more present and interesting.
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Creating rhythmic effects: Using panning speed synchronization with the track’s tempo and selecting the appropriate waveform (e.g., Pulse) allows you to create captivating rhythmic effects that complement the main groove.
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Highlighting individual elements: Soft panning can help highlight a particular instrument or sound in a dense mix, giving it its own “place” in space.
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Creative sound experiments: Non-standard use of parameters, especially Shape and PW, can lead to unexpected and unique sound results, adding originality to your music.
“opposite” by SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN is a simple yet effective tool for anyone looking to explore the possibilities of the stereo field. Its intuitive interface and basic set of parameters make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced producers who value speed and simplicity of the workflow. Try “opposite” and add a new dimension of depth and movement to your mixes!
The plugin is available in VST format for Windows operating systems (32-bit).
