PLAN B analog blog

> But while sound swirling is definately a function of quad panning, 
> a dedicated panner would be capable of much more than 
> circular patterns.  In the mid-70s Wavemakers produced a quad 
> panner which had a host of preset patterns including a clock and 
> anti-clock wise swirl, 1-3, 2-4, 1-2 and 3-4 simultaniously - a 
> bunch of them.  It as well had X and Y VC inputsfor customizing 
> pan patterns.  Buchla had a it's own variant of quad panner 
> which didn't have the presets the Wavemaker unit had, it did do a 
> very good job of panning in the four channel field.

Either of these (the Wavemakers or the Buchla style) is more what I 
had in mind.  Basically I want to be able to pan a sound between any 
2, 3 or 4 speakers with VC.  (Sound swirling can be fun too.)   
 
> Another thing to take into account - quad panners are only as 
> effective as the position of the speakers the signals are sent 
to.  
> While panning in the stereo field is forgiving, panning to four 
> channels is anything but.

That's for sure.  And if you're sitting in the wrong spot it can be 
pretty awful too.  :-)
 
> That said, the basic idea behind this is not all that difficult a 
feat 
> and the engine required is already  present in  Milton's VC input 
> processor.  Slap in four variable integrators to each of the 
inputs  
> and you're there.

I'm all for it.

Michael