What is PanNoir
PanNoir V1 was a VST plugin developed by Merging Technologies that allows to align any mono source to another stereo source.
In the context of a classical recording, where one has a main stereo pair, and spot mics to capture the details of soloists, more dynamic instruments or ambiance microphones, PanNoir allows to perfectly align each spot microphones in phase and in amplitude to the main pair. This also effectively also brings the spot mics into the left and right channels of the mix with the correct time difference. Traditional DAW panners simply use levels without any time difference.
In practice, this tool reveals outstanding details, a more precise and convincing stereo imaging, correction of typical comb filtering between the main array and the spot mics resulting in a more open sound.
What is PanNoir 2.0
The major upgrade with PanNoir 2.0 is that it is now integrated with Pyramix 16, which allows it to be much more flexible than its VST predecessor, and improving integration both algoritmicaly, in processing, and in the UI integration.
It is can now also align stereo spot mics.
This means that PanNoir is now part of the mixer when enabled, and is represented by a new UI line between the traditional pan and the effects slots :
How do I use PanNoir 2.0 ?
Enabling PanNoir 2.0
First, one must enable PanNoir in the mixer of the desired project :
Once this is done, the new PanNoir section shown in the introduction will appear in the mixer.
Setting up the main stereo pair
Then, it is important to properly configure the main stereo pair, so that delays and amplitudes are properly calculated for the spot mics of that project.
To do so, open the PanNoir UI on the stereo strip of the main array :
From here, you will be able to both set the strip to be the main stereo pair (1), and then set the appropriate distance, angle and directivity.
Note that the “Directivity Preset” region at the bottom right of the UI allows you to set your directivity according to the exact specs of Neumann microphones, courtesy of Merging being part of Neumann.
You may also use the bottom left “Room Size” to match the view scale to the actual recording, or use it to zoom in and have a finer detail when playing with spot mics in a more creative way.
Setting up the spot mics
Regarding the placement of the spot mic, the user can specify the distance between the spot mic(s) and their angle deviation from the center :
While these settings can be entered manually, it can be hard to figure out the original positions from just listening or looking at the waveforms, especially if microphone positions were not measured during the setup of the recording.
Merging has therefore developed an algorithm capable of calculating the distances from the spot mics to those of the main array automatically, using the audio present in the timeline, which is explained below.
An additional feature of PanNoir, is its “Balance” knob, allowing for a traditional level pan.
This is very handy, as the delays and amplitudes calculated from the distance and angle to the main microphones pair will not be affected, leaving the signal perfectly aligned in phase, while still allowing the user to exagerate or center the placement of a specific spot mic after alignment.
Computing the mic positions
The computation of mic positions is done on a spot mic basis, and has to be done once per spot mic.
Usually, during the setup phase, a test signal should be emitted close to each spot mic’s capsule, towards the main stereo pair, and saturation/clipping should be avoided.
Test signals that are around 1 second in duration and harmonically rich are of the best effect (sweep, buitar chord etc..).
When you want to compute the position of a spot mic, you should proceed like so :
If you are running at a sampling rate higher than 48kHz, set your project at 44.1kHz or 48kHz, and enable the real time SRC
Otherwise, the computation time will be unmanagable (>5 minutes at 96kHz, >2 hours at 192kHz)Place your cursor before the test signal, on the that that you are willing to compute.
Open the PanNoir of the strip you wish to compute the position of and click on “Compute Mic Position”
Press “OK”, and let the algorithm find the right distances by istelf
Review the calculated distances, and apply them or not to that spot mic :
Isolating sources
Many times, you may want to isolate a source from this delay calculation, either because it was recorded as an overdub, or because it was on another room, and the source’s signal doesn’t contribute to the main pair etc…
To do this, simply select “Off” in the strip mode field :