In article ,
Dave Plowman wrote:
In article ,
MiNE 109 wrote:
"For those who donšt know much about studio recording, the process of
adding instruments to an existing track is called overdubbing."
Did you have to search long to find an explanation that agreed with your
own faulty one?
Actually, I didn't. I was looking for cutting room anecdotes.
Overdubbing *does not* involve adding things to an
existing track, but replacing them. In essence, all it means is adding
material to the performance at a later stage - often by replacing
something which was recorded at the original session as a guide.
At last, a competing definition. Here's another
http://www.modrec.com/glossary/defin...ubbing&uid=116
"Enables one or more of the previously recorded tracks to be monitored
while simultaneously recording one or more signals onto other tracks."
Not necessarily replacing anything.
http://www.audioed.com.au/glossary_free2.html#o
"To record new tracks on a multitrack recording system in
synchronisation with previously recorded tracks."
New tracks, so that precludes replacing.
http://recordingeq.com/GlosPubKO.htm#SectO
"1) Adding additional musical parts on a track of a multitrack tape. 2)
Sending a previously recorded signal through a console and mixing it
with the audio from a new sound source, recording onto another tape."
No replacement required. I like the second definition for the
exceptional situation I hypothesized, just think "cutter" instead of
"another tape". It works for the electroacoustic "tape and instrument"
piece, too.
http://www.audiomasterclass.com/libr...1glossary.html
"A track recorded onto a multitrack tape after the backing tracks."
Rather general, but it doesn't specify replacing anything.
And here's another, for "punch in/ punch out":
http://www.modrec.com/glossary/defin...%20/%20punch-o
ut
"The entering into and out of record mode on a track that contains
existing program material for the purpose of correcting or erasing an
unwanted segment."
Yes, that's what I meant by "punch in".
Back to "overdub"
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/regu...m/glossary.htm
"To add another part to a multitrack recording or to replace one of the
existing parts."
Doncha love the name of the site? That's right, you didn't care to
comment. At last we see your definition as an alternative to mine.
http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Article...ing_terms.html
"To record a new musical part on an unused track in
synchronization with previously recorded tracks."
Precludes replacing.
http://www.futureproducers.com/site/...definition/id/
285
"To add another part to a multitrack recording or to replace one of the
existing parts."
There's yours again, as an alternative.
But these might all be American. How about the Beeb?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/glossary/o.shtml
"These days recording an album is a complicated and fiddly business so
overdubbing (adding*extra recorded sound to a song,*especially in order
to heighten the total effect) is essential. Overdubbing has led to
additional practices. These include "tracking," where the ensemble
arrangement gets recorded first and then the improvised solos are taped
and inserted. "Layering" techniques have also been developed where each
instrument can be recorded separately. Occasionally this is accomplished
by recording sections separately - rhythm, solos, harmonies , lead
vocals."
That's a complicated definition of "tracking" (do you retrospectively
call it "layering" if you don't later improvise a solo?). "Overdub" is
adding sound, not replacing sound, according to BBC2.
Perhaps you don't understand multi-track tape recording - as much else.
It seems that I do.
If you try and add something to an already recorded track by switching off
the erase, the bias current will partially erase the existing - mainly the
higher frequency content. I've never known this used in any pro recording
- indeed none of the multi-tracks I've worked with offered this facility.
My informal definition didn't require using the same track. On the other
hand, "sound on sound" was a fairly common feature for home recording
decks, usually 1/4 inch reel to reel.
If you were running short of tracks, you'd bounce several down to one to
free some up.
"Ping-pong".
It is in this sense, "adding instruments to an existing track" that I
used the word.
Then that's an even bigger nonsense than most of your theories since it
badly degrades the material which already exists on the track.
I didn't require the same track.
(That movie might be "Grace of My Heart")
You must be a movie makers dream - believing everything you see or hear.
Were you one of the people that went into a panic when 'War of the Worlds'
was first broadcast on radio?
You'd like to think so.
I've shown that my usage and informal definition of "overdub" is
consonant with those of a number of online glossaries. Maybe your
workplace has an idiosyncratic usage.
Stephen