Welcome to this tutorial on automatic double tracking and slapback time domain effects.

In the Phasing, flanging and chorus video tutorial we looked at how very short delay times and modulation could be employed to create effects which change the character of the sound. At greater delay times phase related summing and cancelling effects diminish, and more conventional effects become possible.

Caption - Automatic double tracking / ADT (15 to 35 ms)

Diagram her

In the studio, it is common to have a performer double their part on separate tracks in order to create a thicker sound. This requires the performer to attempt two near identical performances. The natural time, pitch and articulation variations in the performances help to prevent phase summing and cancellation issues.

Automatic double tracking seeks to emulate this effect with a simple delay line. To prevent the effect sounding too mechanical a little modulation is added.

Typical settings for ADT are ..

This technique may also be used to transform a mono sound into pseudo-stereo by panning the dry and wet signals to opposite sides of the stereo field.

Caption - Slapback echo (70 - 150 ms)

Diagram here

At delay times of 70 milliseconds or more, the delays become distinct from the source sound. Between 70 and 150 milliseconds an effect known as Slapback is heard. This effect is useful for adding aggression to lead vocals and produces a distinctive effect associated with 1950s rock and roll recordings.

Typical settings for slapback are ..

Caption - Thanks for watching

The script for this video, with accompanying images, can be found at projectstudiohandbook.com 

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