@sdkboi If you’re modulating the VOL parameter it’s usually called audio-rate amplitude modulation. Applied to PAN I assume it’s the same, only applied across the stereo field. I agree it’s a nice and efficient way to introduce a stereo effect.
Here’s how amp mod works:
When the carrier and modulator both creep above 20Hz, two sidebands are introduced: the sum and the difference of the two original signals. It’s a simple but cool way of introducing more overtones.
An example:
- You have two sine waves at 200Hz and 600Hz.
- When you let one modulate the other, this will result in two sidebands at 400Hz (difference) and 800Hz (sum).
Amplitude modulation is different from ring modulation (aka balanced modulation) in the following way: Ring mod introduces the sum and difference as well, but cancels out the original signals. This means you will only hear the new sidebands, and the modulation effect is then usually more pronounced.