Stereo anomaly and dilemma

erik · Post by **erik** » 3 Sep 2001 8:39 am

I have a tune i recorded and i have a low rhythm guitar panned left and a high rhythm guitar panned right. I decided (for undisclosed reasons) that it might be better to reverse that. Except when i pan them opposite it doesn't sound the same. I can hear undertones not present before. How does this happen? Is it my hearing?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Sep 2001 8:07 am

Are you using headphones when you make that judgement? Since headphones allow 100% separation, they never really relate the true sounds of a live performance (where you do get a lot of L-R mix).

Anyhow, yes...it's quite likely your hearing frequency response is different in each ear (most all people have this problem, especially musicians who have played a lot of amplified music).

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 4 Sep 2001 10:57 am

Right on Donny ! Buddy Cagle is a good example of this. He has lost hearing on one side and plays with both speakers facing the good ear and that works for him. I play with both cabs in my right ear because of severe space restrictions where I'm at. Took some time to get used to it but the brain will adjust. Years ago I thought the steel player on Marshall Tuckers "Fire On The Mountain Was Terrible." Now I hear Toy Caldwell in a different way. Maybe that is part of the aging process too !!

Regards. Paul

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Sep 2001 1:52 pm

Know what'cha mean, Paul! To preserve my one "good ear", I play with the speaker in my bad ear. (I've already heard most of my "good stuff", anyway!)