For studio albums where each instrument is recorded individually :
a) Imaging is done with a balance control.
b) depth can often be achieved through compression and/or reverb. For example compressing the vocals has the subjective effect of bringing them closer to the plane of the speakers. Less compression pushes sounds to the back of the mix.
Also a sense of depth can be achieved by adding reverb (either natural using a reverberant room) or artificial to the sound ... conversely removal of reverb (via very close mic'ing and a very dead room) brings a sound closer to the front of the mix.
a) Imaging is done with a balance control.
b) depth can often be achieved through compression and/or reverb. For example compressing the vocals has the subjective effect of bringing them closer to the plane of the speakers. Less compression pushes sounds to the back of the mix.
Also a sense of depth can be achieved by adding reverb (either natural using a reverberant room) or artificial to the sound ... conversely removal of reverb (via very close mic'ing and a very dead room) brings a sound closer to the front of the mix.