"Dub" primarily refers to a musical style that originated from reggae music in Jamaica during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by remixing existing tracks by removing vocals, emphasizing rhythm sections (especially drums and bass), and applying studio effects like echo and reverb. Dub music often features instrumental versions or "versions" of songs, creating spacious soundscapes with heavy use of audio effects. The term "dub" also relates historically to recording practices involving creating copies or remixes called dubplates for exclusive use in sound systems. Additionally, "dub" can mean to replace or add sounds, voices, or dialogue in movies or media, such as dubbing a film into another language.
Dub as a Musical Genre
Dub music grew out of reggae and involves remixing existing songs mainly by removing vocals, emphasizing bass and drums, and using studio effects like echo. Pioneers like King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry saw the mixing console as an instrument and created innovative sound textures. Dub has influenced various genres including hip hop, electronic dance music, drum and bass, and dubstep.
Dub in Recording and Sound Culture
In recording terms, "dub" originally meant making a copy or version. In Jamaican music culture, dubplates were special acetate recordings used by sound system DJs to play exclusive versions or test new mixes. Dub music is closely linked to sound system culture and remix practices with a focus on bass-heavy, echo-laden sounds.
Dub in Media and Film
To "dub" can also mean replacing or adding voices or sounds in a movie or television production, especially translating the dialogue into another language.
Thus, "dub" can refer to a style of remixing music with heavy effects, a version or copy of a recording, or the process of altering audio in media production.
