there was once an incorrect assumption, based on erroneous information that diagonal pans would make an SQ Quad decoder go gaga, which is not the case, turns out SQ decoders eat diagonals for breakfast!
panning across a diagonal (from FL to RR or FR to RL, or vice versa) was a thing back in the day, as was mixing diagonally (FL + RR, or FR + RL) and so the only way to mix a "Room Centre" position on a mix destined for SQ and for things not to disappear was to do it diagonally.
the conventional method of mixing a "Room Centre" position in Quad was to have the same element in equal volume in all 4 channels simultaneously. however if you do this in SQ, everything cancels out!
many years later we had it confirmed there are intentional diagonal pans and positions a go-go in the discrete original of the "Ship Ahoy" Quad, thanks to discussions between our man @steelydave and Philadelphia International's then head of Quad, Mr. Arthur Stoppe.
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