An often overlooked part of creating sound patches in Apple MainStage is panning individual instruments across the stereo image. Sample libraries are usually recorded from center perspective. If your sound patch consists of strings, flutes, clarinets, and a celeste, it’s going to sound pretty muddy if they’re all sounding from center perspective. Panning is the process of moving sounds across the stereo image, and it will help you create better sounding patches.

The panning function is located in the channel strip, outlined in red in the above photo. Simply drag left to pan left, and drag right to pan right.