Audio Damage Panstation
I like simple things. Especially with instruments and effects, I enjoy it the most, when they are easy and fast to work with. I’d rather use a couple of stomp-box like effects than a bloated piece of software with a large number of sub-menus.
So it’s no surprise, I do enjoy the plugins from Audio Damage, because they are designed thoughtfully with usability in mind. Plus, their sound never fails to to excite me. Their latest effect Panstation is no exception to this rule.
Panstation (AU, VST/Win, OSX) is an automated panning effect that is loosely based on the Drawmer M500, but also features other panning laws. Different panning waveforms such as sine, triangle, square – you name it – or converge and diverge provide more variety in sound and operation. Unfortunately Panstation doesn’t offer random panning. Hopefully this will be addresses in a future update. And of course, the tempo sync option let’s you synchronize the effect to your host tempo.
Although its concept appears to be something like a one trick pony at first, there’s a lot of different sounds to discover. With the panning rate ranging from 0.01 - 20 Hz the plugin is as suitable for smooth sound variations in the stereo field as well as tremolo-esque sounds or hectic stutters. Especially more elaborated functions such as audio triggers, which start the panning after crossing a threshold are the small bits that make this plugin shine.
Operating the plugin is easy and fast. Every function is just a click away.
Sure – Pan Station is probably not getting used on every song and on every track, but it’s a versatile and fun piece of software. Especially with this price ($ 39) and the great sound, Panstation is a valuable add-on to my plugin folder.
Below are some audio demos: First it’s a simple unprocessed eight bar pad, after that Panstation takes over and going through the following modes:
1. Simple panning
2. Audio triggers starting the panning
3. Fast tremolo.
4. Slow tremolo/panning
