Overdubbing vocals

[Generator]

Could someone please explain what exactly is this? I know how overdubbing vocals sounds, like Queen or Bad Religion, but how is it done? Thanks.

[littledog]

Overdubbing anything simply means recording certain tracks at a later time than when the initial basic tracks (usually rhythm tracks in pop music) were recorded.

Overdubbing in and of itself has no particular sound.

Perhaps you are confusing this with the technique called "doubling"? Doubling does have a characteristic "sound". It is often done with lead vocals in certain parts (or all) of a song. The vocalist simply resings the lead (while listening to the original lead track) and tries to reproduce it as closely as possible. The two are then blended together to create a "doubled" sound. Sometimes they are blended at different volumes, or different processing and fx are used on the doubled track, depending on the sound you are looking for. In general, it fattens up the sound, and sometimes can camouflage questionable intonation.

You could also triple or quadruple to get an even more pronounced effect.

This technique is not limited to lead vocals - it is often used on string parts, guitars, BU Vox, and others.

[flapo1]

How can you overdub? With a 4 track (or more tracks) machine, A multitrack software or something similar.

If you can tell me what recording gear we would be more able to help you

[The Green Hornet]

Yo LittleDog:

Nice explanation of "doubling," and its possibilities. Gives me new things to try.

Green Hornet

[Generator]

Oh, ok. I just thought that it was a special recording technique or something, since background vocals in the bands I've mentioned before sound really special, really tight, and they play a much bigger part in the song the way they sound. And I've read many times that those were "overdubbed" voices. I guess it just meant that they used to record the background vocal tracks a dozen times, with different melodies and stuff, and then put them together.

[flapo1]

Yup. Search for a thread I started, called "Queen Background vocals". The guys gave me GREAT info!!!

PS And Queen and those guys did that thing not dozens, but hundreds of times!