LCR panning, or left-center-right panning, is a powerful mixing technique that can help you create unique soundscapes. While this mixing strategy was originally born out of necessity from three-channel consoles, it still has modern applications when it comes to creating a simple, yet wide mix.

You'll find LCR panning techniques heard throughout genres as diverse as heavy metal and EDM. Though this technique may not be suitable for every mix, it's certainly worth understanding as a producer or engineer to inform your creative choices. Below, we'll take a look at what exactly LCR panning is and share several tips to guide you when choosing one channel over the next.

What is LCR Panning?

The LCR panning approach, or cardinal points panning, refers to a method of deliberately limiting pan positions to hard left, center, or hard right channel positions. "LCR" stands for left, center, right referring to the left channel, center channel, and right channel respectively.

Nowadays, we have access to the entire stereo spectrum via pan pots, but in prior eras, engineers only had access to the LCR approach, with a three-way switch designed to select left output, right output, or center positioning across a track.

For this reason, many popular songs up until the early 1970s have this distinct LCR mix. You can hear LCR panning at work in songs like The Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever:

The beginning of Mr.Brightside by The Killers:

and Wildflowers by Tom Petty:

An LCR mix has a centered mono channel and two stereo tracks - one hard-panned to the left channel and the other one hard-panned to the right channel. This mixing approach can make for a more dynamic mix than a typical mono mix while still retaining the power and focused sound that can be lost in an expansive stereo track.

Just listen to mixing expert Warren Huart discuss using LCR panning in a modern context:

Key Benefits of LCR Mixing

Utilizing LCR mixing in your tracks certainly has its benefits. Here are a couple of reasons why you might want to opt for this mixing strategy in your next session:

Wide Stereo Image

LCR panning decisions are based on the theory that if you place tracks on the hard left, center, or hard right of the stereo field, the sections in between will take care of themselves. This sense of space between the three channels can create the perception of a wider stereo image for some listeners.

Fewer Panning Decisions

Creative constraints, like limiting your panning options to just three positions, can often bring clarity and help you identify which sounds are a true priority in your mix. Less panning decisions can reduce fatigue for many engineers and make the process more approachable.

Mono Compatibility

Due to its deliberately simplistic design, LCR mixes often fold down to mono pretty seamlessly, which can be useful for playback in certain speakers and club sound systems. Typical stereo mixes, on the other hand, may need some additional checks in mono before sending out the final files.

Clear Distinction of Star Sounds

The basic principle behind LCR panning is that you want your "star sounds" or the sounds you want to prioritize in your mix, in the center. Hence, engineers usually center the lead vocals, kick, snare, and bass parts. This clear separation between prominent parts and less important tracks can help bring some power to the key components in your mix.

Creates a Nostalgic Feel

Since the LCR approach was originally developed out of necessity due to the limitations of past mixing consoles, opting for this method can instantly create a nostalgic feel. The LCR method creates a unique soundscape with the hard panning, which can allow listeners to experience your music in an entirely new way.

Powerful Foundation for Future Mixing Decisions

Even if you don't use LCR panning regularly or for the entirety of your mix, the concept is still useful for any budding audio engineer. Knowing the power of balance is one of the main reasons why many engineers opt to mix in mono first or start with an LCR panning method in mind, before widening out to the entire stereo field.

7 Tips for Incorporating LCR Panning Into Your Mix

LCR mixing is fairly easy to understand, but use these proven tips to help gracefully incorporate this technique into your sessions:

Building Contrast in Your Vocal Mix

LCR panning makes it easy for you to build separation between the main vocal, harmonies, backing vocals, and ad libs in mix. Keep the main vocal centered in your session, opting to send other vocals to the hard left or right. Just note that low-end heavy vocals might need a bit of EQ before being sent to the left or right channels as discussed below.

Emphasize Certain Vocal Sections

Remember, LCR panning can be applied to individual tracks within the context of a larger mix, but it can also be used on a smaller scale to create impact in your mixes.

For example, a common vocal emphasis technique is to take a main vocal, duplicate it twice, and then position the two new tracks hard left and hard right. When played together, the vocal stack creates a wide, powerful effect that can be used to emphasize certain words or important sections of the song, like the chorus.

Hard Pan Dueling Guitars

Songs like ACDC's Back in Black utilize the LCR panning technique to separate the simultaneous lines of guitars, allowing the dueling parts to complement each other rather than overpower each other. If you have two melodic lines playing at the same time, opt to send one to the left channel and the other to the right to build the needed space between the two tracks.

Send Wider Sounds and Effects to Hard Left or Right

Hard left and right panned signals may seem to have less power than the centered tracks, but this is the perfect place to create atmosphere and sound design to compliment your centered tracks. Certain sounds like toms, hi hats, guitars, keyboards, and overhead drum microphone noise tend to sit well when panned hard left or hard right.

Keep Heavy Low End Sounds Centered

Typically, you'll want to have the sounds you want to shine most in the mix centered, like the lead vocal, kick drum, snare, and bass part. You'll also want to keep anything that tends to be heavy on low end frequencies centered in the mix. This will help keep your mix clean, since lower frequency bands take up lots of space which can dampen the effect on the hard right or left panned tracks.

Experiment with Automation

Just because you have less options in terms of panning decisions doesn't mean that you can't add some dynamics with automation. Experiment with moving certain elements from left, center, to right and back again to add emphasis and interest to certain sections of your song.

EQ Your Hard Panned Signals

Remember that low frequencies far out in the left and right channels can quickly clog up your mix. To avoid the mud, consider using a high pass filter to EQ your audio signals before sending out to the left or right sides. Some engineers will keep the bulk of the sound dead center, but split the signal into two parts to send the ambiance and higher frequency range to the hard panned left or right channels.

LCR Panning FAQs

Are you ready to incorporate LCR panning into your next track? Check out these commonly asked questions and answers to help you make sense of this mixing technique:

What is the LCR panning method?

The LCR panning method or cardinal points panning involves limiting your panning decisions to the hard left, right, and center channels. Some audio engineers swear by using this technique to balance their mixes and reduce creative fatigue.

Is LCR better than stereo?

Some engineers may prefer LCR systems over stereo systems and vice versa based on the needs of a track. As with any artistic technique, there is no one "right" answer, only choices informed by a creative perspective.

Is LCR mixing good?

Ask any engineer if they like LCR mixing and the reaction is destined to be split - while some engineers swear by this unique strategy, others prefer a more modernized sound that is spread widely across the stereo image.

What does LCR mean in mixing?

LCR refers to left, center, and right, referring to the direct hard left, right, and dead center pan positions. These positions were developed after the cultivation of mono mixing, before uncovering the fully range of the stereo field.

LCR requires a keen ear and decisive mixing to execute the hard panning technique successfully, which is precisely why it continues to be a helpful framework to this day. Even if you expand your stereo elements beyond the LCR points, understanding the concept of cardinal points panning will help you expand your perspective as an audio engineer. Have fun putting these mixing strategies to good use.