This is an interesting topic, the whole pan rule.  And I for one don't quite get it, I hear it, though.

 

In Sonar we can change the pan rule I generally set mine to the 3db pan rule and I can hear it.  I have read something about head room as well, setting it to 3db gives you more headroom, please feel free to shoot me down here.

 

On the SSL consle they use a 4.5 Pan Rule and from what I understand it's all to do with imperfect rooms and perfect rooms.

 

Maybe someone can chime in here, anyway here are two articles I have read on the matter: http://www.rs-met.com/document.....nRules.pdf and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_law

Peace Ben