overdub

noun over·dub \ ˈō-vər-ˌdəb \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of overdub

1 : the act or an instance of overdubbing

2 : recorded sound that is overdubbed

vocal overdubs

Recent Examples of overdub from the Web

Recorded live with just a few vocal and synth overdubs, 2017’s 8 (Neurot) focuses on the intrinsic bonds and unstoppable movements in the cosmos.

— jamie ludwig, Chicago Reader, "Italian psychedelic doom trio Ufomammut contemplate the universe on the boundary-pushing 8," 17 May 2018
Recording was done in just three days, tracking all 13 songs on the first and then bringing in guests -- including Will Sexton, Amy LaVere, Dante Schwebel and Art Edmaiston -- for overdubs during the next two.

— gary graff, Billboard, "Austin's Greyhounds Head to Memphis for 'Cheyenne Valley Drive': Album Premiere," 11 Apr. 2018
On the earlier recording, the three of them added overdubs to elaborate tracks Fennelly had already cut using a pedal harmonium, synthesizers, and electronics.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "Music / Post No Bills Jaime Fennelly’s Mind Over Mirrors premieres its immersive new multimedia opus Bellowing Sun at the MCA," 21 Mar. 2018
Hoffman said the group pretty much finished the basic tracks during the first session, leaving vocals, harmonies, overdubs and other embellishments as the main remaining tasks for the second recording session.

— alan sculley, sacbee, "Greensky Bluegrass brings its ‘mature’ sound to Hangtown festival | The Sacramento Bee," 26 Oct. 2017
The recordings, made in three days, were stark solo tracks with a handful of overdubs

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Julien Baker Bravely Confronts Her Traumas and Fears," 22 Oct. 2017
It was recorded in only six hours, with additional time spent on overdubs.

— michael hamad, courant.com, "West Hartford's Allegra Levy Celebrating Sunnier Days With New CD," 2 June 2017
For a Broadway cast album, many producers and engineers like to record the orchestra first and then have the singers come in and overdub.

— diane snyder, Billboard, "How Grammy-Winning Producer Steven Epstein Made 'Hello, Dolly!' Cast Album," 31 May 2017
For the introduction, Mr. Martin experimented with a string of overdubs.

— allan kozinn, New York Times, "George Martin and the Beatles: A Producer’s Impact, in Five Songs," 9 Mar. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overdub.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of overdub

circa 1965

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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overdub

verb over·dub \ ˌō-vər-ˈdəb \

Definition of overdub

transitive verb

: to transfer (recorded sound) onto a recording that bears sound recorded earlier in order to produce a combined effect

Recent Examples of overdub from the Web

Kip Allen provided the softer, relaxed rhythms in the verses, while Fred Eltringham came in to overdub more ferocious pops in the chorus.

— tom roland, Billboard, "What's Behind the Mystery In Devin Dawson's Sophomore Single? Just 'Asking'," 21 May 2018
Scheiner: The first one to overdub was Walter [Becker].

— zach schonfeld, Newsweek, "Steely Dan's 'Aja' at 40: The Inside Story of the Band's Most Legendary Guitar Solo," 24 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of overdub

1967

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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