Reference Guide

223
Changing track settings
Controlling playback
Adjusting volume and pan
The Volume and Pan settings control the initial volume and pan of a track during playback. Every
time SONAR starts playback, the Volume and Pan settings for the track are set to these initial levels.
SONAR allows you to choose different panning laws if you want (see “Configuring panning laws” on
page 223).
In some projects you want the volume or panning of a track to change while playback is in progress.
You can accomplish this by drawing a volume or pan envelope in the Track view, or by recording
automation. For more information, see “Automation” on page 1001.
To set the initial volume setting
1. Move your cursor to the Volume control of the track you want to change.
2. Click and drag to the left to lower the volume or the right to raise the volume.
You can also change the volume settings in a variety of other ways, as described under “Changing
track settings in the Track pane” on page 213.
To set the initial Pan setting
1. Move your cursor to the Pan control of the track you want to change.
2. Click and drag to the left to adjust the pan to the left or to the right to adjust the pan to the
right.Hard left is 100% left. Hard right is 100% right. Pan is centered at C.
You can also change the pan and volume settings in a variety of other ways, as described under
“Changing track settings in the Track pane” on page 213.
See also:
“Configuring panning laws” on page 223
Configuring panning laws
You can choose from six different panning laws. A panning law is the mathematical formula that a
sequencer or mixer uses to control panning.
To change panning laws
1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Driver Settings.
2. In the Stereo Panning Law field, choose one of these options:
• (Default) 0 dB center, sin/cos taper, constant power. This choice causes a 3 dB boost in
Note: For MIDI tracks, SONAR processes the volume and pan settings by transmitting MIDI
volume and pan events (controllers 7 and 10, respectively) when playback starts. If two or more
MIDI tracks are set to the same output and channel but have different volume or pan settings,
the settings for the highest-numbered track will prevail.
Note also that not all keyboards and synthesizers respond to these events. Check your instrument’s
manual for more information.