How did engineer Ken Townsend invent artificial double tracking?
Summary of the article:
Who invented artificial double tracking?
Ken Townsend
Artificial Double Tracking is one of the most iconic of all Abbey Road tape effects. It was created by EMI Technical Engineer and later Studios Manager Ken Townsend for The Beatles to avoid them having to continually re-record vocals to create multi-layered vocal effects.
When was artificial double tracking invented?
The effect is intended to simulate the sound of the natural doubling of voices or instruments achieved by double tracking. The technique was developed in 1966 by engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London at the request of the Beatles. CachedSimilar
What is the double tracking method?
Double tracking vocals is the act of recording a vocal part two times (sometimes more), attempting to match each performance as closely as possible to the original, both in phrasing and in pitch. This is done with the intention of combining these performances together later in the mix.
How to do automatic double tracking?
Hi, it’s Craig. Musicians often use delay to create the illusion of double tracking. Apart, you put a delay in parallel with the dry sound, modulate the delay to create timing and pitch changes, then mix.
Who popularized double tracking in the 1950s?
In the 1950s, Buddy Holly used double tracking (and other harmonies) to bring his singles to the next level. This popularized it in Rock ‘n’ Roll.
What vocal effect does Eminem use?
It is one of the most used vocal effects in popular music and has been used since the early 1960s. For example, rap artist Eminem double-tracks almost every one of his vocal tracks. Double tracking is no longer a spectacular sound but has become a matter of course within a production process.
What are the two types of tracking system?
Types of Tracking Technology:
– Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
– Radio Tracking
– Near-Field Communication (NFC)
– Geofencing
– Internet Tracking
– Cellphone Triangulation
– Global Positioning Systems (GPS) & Satellite Tracking
– Efficient Tracking Solutions with Geoforce.
Why is double tracking important?
The effect of double tracking will give your sound much more width and richness as opposed to copy & pasting your initial guitar track. If you zoom in on the waveforms within your DAW, you’ll notice that each guitar take is distinct. These distinctions are what give the sound its unique flavor.
Is double tracking cheating?
You’re not exactly cheating, though you’ll create phase cancellations when summed to mono. Playing the part again introduces slight variations in rhythm, note timbre, and dynamics.
What was the first double-tracked vocal?
The result was “How High The Moon,” the first recording to have double-tracked vocals and lead guitar. In this recording, Mary Ford sang harmony with herself.
How did people record music in the 1940s?
With the addition of electronic amplification developed by Curt Stille in the 1920s, the telegraphone evolved into wire recorders which were popular for voice recording and dictation during the 1940s and into the 1950s.

Who invented artificial double tracking
Ken Townsend
Artificial Double Tracking is one of the most iconic of all Abbey Road tape effects. It was created by EMI Technical Engineer and later Studios Manager Ken Townsend for The Beatles to avoid them having to continually re-record vocals to create multi-layered vocal effects.
When was artificial double tracking invented
The effect is intended to simulate the sound of the natural doubling of voices or instruments achieved by double tracking. The technique was developed in 1966 by engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London at the request of the Beatles.
CachedSimilar
What is the double tracking method
Double tracking vocals is the act of recording a vocal part two times (sometimes more), attempting to match each performance as closely as possible to the original, both in phrasing and in pitch. This is done with the intention of combining these performances together later in the mix.
How to do automatic double tracking
Hi it's craig musicians often use delay to create the illusion of double tracking apart you put a delay in parallel with the dry sound modulate the delay to create timing and pitch changes then mix
Who popularized double tracking in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Buddy Holly used double tracking (and other harmonies) to bring his singles to the next level. This popularized it in Rock n Roll.
What vocal effect does Eminem use
It is one of the most used vocal effects in popular music and has been used since the early 1960s. For example, Rap artist Eminem double-tracks almost every one of his vocal tracks. Double Tracking is no longer a spectacular sound, but has become a matter of course within a production process.
What are the two types of tracking system
Types of Tracking TechnologyRadio Frequency Identification (RFID)Radio Tracking.Near-Field Communication (NFC)Geofencing.Internet Tracking.Cellphone Triangulation.Global Positioning Systems (GPS) & Satellite Tracking.Efficient Tracking Solutions with Geoforce.
Why is double tracking important
The effect of double tracking will give your sound much more width and richness as opposed to copy & pasting your initial guitar track. If you zoom in on the wave forms within your DAW you'll notice that each guitar take is distinct. These distinctions is what gives the sound its unique flavor.
Is double tracking Cheating
You're not exactly cheating, though you'll create phase cancellations when summed to mono. Playing the part again introduces slight variations in rhythm, note timbre, and dynamics.
What was the first double tracked vocal
The result was “How High The Moon”, the first recording to have double-tracked vocals and lead guitar. In this recording, Mary Ford sang harmony with herself.
How did people record music in the 1940s
With the addition of electronic amplification developed by Curt Stille in the 1920s, the telegraphone evolved into wire recorders which were popular for voice recording and dictation during the 1940s and into the 1950s.
Which rapper has best voice
Snoop Dogg
Quite possibly the most iconic voice in hip hop, Snoop Dogg has a reputation as one of the most laidback rappers in the culture, and hearing him rhyme is enough to know why. The way he flows his words is like he's having a simple conversation.
Why did Eminem’s voice change so much
The ringing in my ears was almost louder than the music so what started happening, is slowly but surely over time, I started putting extra mid-range in my voice,” Eminem says, before mocking his own vocals and flow with a strained, aggressive-yelling delivery.
What technology is used for tracking
One of the most popular types of tracking technology comes in the form of GPS. It is a revolutionary form of technology that utilizes a network of satellites and complex algorithms to determine the location of an object with greater accuracy. In GPS systems, trackers are installed within different types of GPS devices.
How does a tracking system work
It uses Global Positioning Systems (GPS satellites) to know the vehicle or equipment's location at all times. The information that is gathered from the vehicle is then stored on the device inside. The data is then transmitted by using a wireless, or cellular network through providers like AT&T and Verizon.
Is double tracking good
The effect of double tracking will give your sound much more width and richness as opposed to copy & pasting your initial guitar track. If you zoom in on the wave forms within your DAW you'll notice that each guitar take is distinct. These distinctions is what gives the sound its unique flavor.
Who has a higher cheating rate
men
According to the General Social Survey, men are more likely to cheat than women, with 20% of men and 13% of women reporting having sex with someone other than their partner while still married. However, the gender gap varies per age.
What type of cheating is worse
Cheating on a spouse or significant other is sure to cause feelings of jealousy and hurt in the spurned partner. But men and women differ on what part of cheating they think is the worst: Men tend to be more bothered by sexual infidelity, while most women are bothered more by emotional infidelity.
What is double tracking voice
The Basics of Doubling Vocals
Traditionally, the way to achieve doubled vocals was by “double-tracking,” meaning the artist would just record their lines twice.
What is the double voice effect called
Double. Now the stereo double is similar to the mono double except the main track is panned left and the double track is panned right don't you know that to. Everything this technique creates a pseudo
How did they record music before computers
The phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, could both record sound and play it back. The earliest type of phonograph sold recorded on a thin sheet of tinfoil wrapped around a grooved metal cylinder. A stylus connected to a sound-vibrated diaphragm indented the foil into the groove as the cylinder rotated.
What techniques were used in recording in the 1950s
By the early 1950s, most commercial recordings were mastered on tape instead of recorded directly to disc. Tape facilitated a degree of manipulation in the recording process that was impractical with mixes and multiple generations of directly recorded discs.
Who is considered the best vocalist of all time
Aretha Franklin
The 200 greatest singers of all time according to Rolling Stone as of January 2023
Singer | Rank |
---|---|
Aretha Franklin | 1 |
Whitney Houston | 2 |
Sam Cooke | 3 |
Billie Holiday | 4 |
Who has the best male singing voice ever
The 20 best male singers of all time, ranked in order of pureAl Green.Sam Cooke.Otis Redding.Frank Sinatra.Nat King Cole.Michael Jackson.George Michael.Freddie Mercury. Queen – We Are the Champions (Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, 1985)
Can Eminem sing without autotune
In short, Eminem's singing is entirely natural in live performances and almost entirely natural in his recordings. The talented artist uses many effects, including autotune occasionally, to play and have fun with his music, but is not dependent on them to sing or rap.