Opposite panning on CDs

[TW1306]

I've come across a few instances where a track in a mixed CD has had the panning flipped compared to the full unmixed version, as an example this one where the panning of the hats and synths in the intro is clearly reversed between the mixed version and the vinyl rip:



I've heard it on other CDs as well, but only a relatively small amount of them and not necessarily with all tracks on that CD. Is there a reason for this?

[BertKoor]

Is there a reason for this?

You'll need to ask the DJ that switched channels, but nope, I can't think of any good reason.

Maybe it's his "little secret" and he is waiting for decades already for someone to ask why.
(And then the answer is just a big grim and a wink)

[jancivil]

Only the one who did it can say.
The only reason I can think of is the original had a left-handed drummer, some of whom conceptualize the drum kit accordingly, hat will be on their right, audience left. And a remix corrected an opinionated reversal (I can see it: f**k this, the hat is at left, I’ma fix this right now.).
Ideally a drummer is pseudo-ambidextrous but a reversed kit is a thing. Ringo’s tom fills are upside down. Some modern drummers have more than one hihat, as well. Also, a BFD has a drummer’s perspective preference which can lead to exactly this if yer not careful.

[touchedbymusic]

In DJ mixes it could be that they wanted to have some consistency between tracks, so maybe when the first track has the hi hats on the right side, whoever made the mixes wanted the second track to have them on the right side as well.

More likely the answer is probably "people make mistakes" and "people don't care"

[mcbpete]

Boards of Canada's Hi Scores (2014 reissue) had a similar thing, though this was actually due to a mistake on the original releases:

https://bocpages.org/wiki/Hi_Scores_(re ... res_Trivia

On the 2014 remaster and re-release, the left and right audio channels appeared to have been reversed. This was later elaborated upon and, due to an issue with the original transfer in 1996, it was the original release in which the left and right audio channels where truly reversed. When the original DAT tape masters where used for the 2014 remastering of the EP, the channels where subsequently restored back to their original form as originally intended.

[TW1306]

You'll need to ask the DJ that switched channels, but nope, I can't think of any good reason.

Honestly I was asking more about what caused it rather than why it was done, I didn't know that channels could be switched in that way.

[BertKoor]

The only cause I know of, is human intervention. Either on purpose or by accident.
But my understanding was, you wanted to know about the why, not the how.

It can be done in multiple ways: switch connectors, twist pan knobs, software. All very easy.

[mcbpete]

Honestly I was asking more about what caused it rather than why it was done, I didn't know that channels could be switched in that way.

The DJ could've put the white in the red and the red in the white (on either the input or output):

[jancivil]

what caused it rather […]
I didn't know that channels could be switched in that way.

for example:

Stereo Flip

This function allows you to manipulate the left and right channels of stereo audio selections.

In the Mode pop-up menu, the available options are:

Flip Left-Right
Swaps the left and right channel.

Left to Stereo
Copies the left channel sound to the right channel.

Right to Stereo
Copies the right channel sound to the left channel.

Merge
Merges both channels on each side for mono sound.

Subtract
Subtracts the left channel information from the right. This function is typically used for karaoke background as it removes the centered mono material from a stereo signal.

[kritikon]

Let a DJ anywhere near the technical part of recording and something stupid is bound to happen. Like "what's this big red erase button and what happens when I press it like this?....oooooooh, sorry"

[jancivil]

arf

[jancivil]

In DJ mixes
maybe when the first track has the hi hats on the right side, whoever made the mixes wanted the second track to have them on the right side as well.

Normally a hihat is slightly right of center in actual drumming. TBH I didn’t listen because the language of the initial post has a “vinyl rip” as opposed to “the mixed version” which suggests unclear on the concept of the words used. So I expected some pain from the (cf: *DJ Mix*) examples.
Then, “reasons for” was revised to not be the question after we wasted some time stating the obvious.

Nonetheless, here are answers.