Localisation in 3-dimensional music production: Pannerbank application as a solution for positioning of multiple sources and extended panning aesthetics

Abstract

While most of the production techniques and workflows are changing with the rise of 3D audio, panning devices mostly remain unchanged. Even though there are new recording techniques, new software designs, or innovative approaches of productions, panning devices are kept mostly the same as they are used in stereo or surround mixes such as knobs, joysticks, or keyboard/mouse setup. However, in 3D productions, unlike stereo, two more automations are required, front-back and up-down, apart from left-right. Panning devices used for stereo and surround generally work on a plane, so they work efficiently in up to two dimensions, but they may be insufficient for 3D productions. Although it is tried to be possible to adapt a movement made in 2 dimensions to 3 dimensions with various software, the sonic repression of random movements can lose its naturalness. With the development of technology, various researchers and companies are making efforts to solve these problems. However, when we look at the general mixing practice, it is understood that the general preference of mixing engineers is to use a keyboard and mouse. This thesis focuses the deficiensies of panning in 3D music mixing and the solutions of the problems. The negative and positive aspects of the researches and devices produced for the solution of these problems around the world will be discussed and a controller application which was programmed by the author will be technically explained. Some productions which are mixed by using the application will be explained as an example for new production approaches in 3D audio. In the appendixes, MaxMSP patches that cannot be included in the main thesis body and the building process of the studios which were used for projects are explained in detail. In the thesis, there are two main production examples which helped the author to understand the disadvantages of the existing panning systems used in 3D mixing. They were planned to be commercial productions in Dolby Atmos® format. Thus, the application was designed to work in Dolby Atmos. Even it seems like a disadvantage, the application and the innovative approaches for mixing can be used by the engineers in commercial music production since Dolby Atmos is the most used format in the market today. Also, Apple Music is the only 3D supported platform in Turkey. Because of this, choosing that format will expand the number of composers and musicians who want to use and experience these original approaches in their productions and give them a possibility to release their work on streaming platforms in country. Nevertheless, the application can be adapted to the other commercial or experimental formats with a bit of modifications easily since it is based on a data routing rather than creating a new audio format.