overdub

American  

[oh-ver-duhb, oh-ver-duhb] / ˌoʊ vərˈdʌb, ˈoʊ vərˌdʌb /

verb (used without object)

overdubbed, overdubbing

1. to add other recorded sound or music, as a supplementary instrumental or vocal track, to a taped musical track to complete or enhance a recording.

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verb (used with object)

overdubbed, overdubbing

1. to add (a track or tracks) to a musical recording.

noun

1. a recorded segment or layer of instrumental parts, vocalization, or sound effects integrated into a musical recording.

overdub British  

verb

1. to add (new sound) on a spare track or tracks

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noun

1. the addition of new sound to a recording; the blending of various layers of sound in one recording

Etymology

Origin of overdub

First recorded in 1965–70; over- + dub ⁴

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overdub overdubbed overdubbing

We also spent a moment in an overdub room, mimicking the creation of white noise from a crowd.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2024

We also need to note that the film's cast recorded their lines for the Comanche overdub, as opposed to having a separate cast of voice actors.

From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2022

The emotion of the character is still present and the end results are definitely more believable than a traditional overdub because the movement of the mouth is synchronized to the new dialogue.

From The Verge ● Sep. 21, 2021

When that attempt came to naught, Lambert suggested that the trio — Lambert, Hendricks and Ms. Ross — overdub all the parts themselves.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 21, 2020

Sometimes, Afro-Latin percussionists join in; elsewhere, Sands douses his piano with an overdub of churchy organ.

From New York Times ● Oct. 25, 2018

The Traitors theme is "one of the biggest pieces of music I've ever written", he says, recorded with a full orchestra and overdubbed with dozens of electronic elements to create a heightened, hyperreal atmosphere.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

Most of the songs on the record feature Mr. González’s voice and guitar only, though there are a few overdubbed parts, including multitracked harmonies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 24, 2026

Weezer overnighted a tape to Bell, who overdubbed himself playing on the band’s songs as a kind of audition, then sent the tape back to New York.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2024

A lot of what he says is overdubbed in Russian, but sometimes his voice breaks through clearly, like when he points out where his chair and table used to be.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2023

But while Baker overdubbed herself into a rock band on “Little Oblivions,” in “Guthrie” she’s solo, picking a soothing waltz on her guitar as she tears into her own failings.

From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2022

A more careful listen reveals a classic propelled by passion, high-impact vocals and guitars, and textured overdubbing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

He had been given a tape recorder and he soon learned the art of overdubbing, a vital part of what would become the trademark Beach Boys' sound.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2025

Still, Flack would make the creative decisions, choose her own material, arranger and show up for mixing and overdubbing sessions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2025

They declined, and he and Mr. Schnapf ended up using overdubbing to beef up the sound.

From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2023

But they also liked experimenting in the studio with multi-tracking and overdubbing and inspired generations of musicians, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and other British Invasion rockers.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 24, 2022

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