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

With nary an overdub in earshot, the song takes on the raw sheen of its rock ‘n’ roll origins.

From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2024

“You can always overdub or do it again, but you can never do a first take twice,” says Bolas, who has worked with Young since the mid-1980s.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 8, 2021

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

On that track, from 1977, Ms. Mitchell recorded her piano and voice in a wandering, liberated style, then allowed the arranger Mike Gibbs to overdub orchestration.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2019

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

“The drums were overdubbed… that’s one of the reasons that song sounds the way it does, because the drums are really big and loud. There was nothing interfering with it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2023

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

It’s music for six overdubbed vintage electric steel guitars, microtonally tuned and arrayed in stereo, exploring texture and resonance.

From New York Times ● Jun. 16, 2023

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

Joachim’s answer to that question involves a stylistic multiplicity that allows for movement between pop and chamber music sounds, and a lot of studio overdubbing.

From New York Times ● Feb. 29, 2024

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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