Advanced Audio Engineering
Course 15: Musical Overdubs: Song 2

For course 15, you will once again be going over the overdub process and music layering. You will be working with your previously recorded tracks, starting with the rhythm guitar, and finding an open space for each track in the sound mix. You will be learning more mixing techniques such as layering sound elements in the stereo space.

Doubling is a great way to add depth and texture to a guitar part. If you want an even bigger sound, why not try tripling or quadrupling? This technique works particularly well for certain musical styles that need massive guitar tones, like hard rock or metal. Regardless of what style of music you’re going for, doubling – and multi-doubling – your guitar parts can bring great results if done right.

When it comes to overdubbing, you’ve got to keep in mind register changes. Instead of just having the main rhythm guitar playing in the first position, why not mix things up by overdubbing something else in the second position? It’s also fine to get creative and sectionalize your tracks–for example, if you want a tambourine only in the chorus or keyboards that are exclusive to the bridge. That way, it differs from live performances where all instruments play from start to finish.

You will go over subtle mixing strategies like deciding what instruments or sounds get placed in a stereo field, where they are placed, and why. At this point, you will be developing your own engineering and producing style while picking up influences from your mentor and others in and around the studio.