Panning Law
Definition
The mathematical rule that determines how a DAW adjusts the signal level when a sound is panned between left and right channels. Without adjustment, panning to center would make a mono signal appear louder than a fully panned signal due to phase summation. Most DAWs apply a -3 dB or -6 dB center attenuation to compensate.
In Simple Terms
A behind-the-scenes setting in your DAW that keeps the volume consistent when you pan sounds. If your centered sounds seem louder than your panned ones, this setting might need adjusting—check your DAW preferences.
In Practice
When a mix sounds louder in the center than the sides at equal settings, the panning law may need to be checked. Different DAWs use different defaults (-3 dB is common in Pro Tools; -6 dB in some others), which can cause balance issues when a session is moved between systems.
Common Confusion
Panning law is transparent in normal use but becomes critically important when comparing mixes across DAWs or when summing mono sources in a stereo bus.