Mixing a recording down to fewer tracks to free space on the tape machine.
Top studio techniques by writer – Lennon: Double tracked vocal (59), Reduction mix (29), Tape splicing (18); McCartney: Double tracked vocal (46), Reduction mix (32), Close mic'ing (25); Harrison: Double tracked vocal (14), Reduction mix (12), Fade-out (7).
Song count per year
% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)
Harmonica overdubs added March 13
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
Four-track; two backing tracks
the reduction became take 8
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
Multiple reductions across April 6 and 22 sessions
Multiple reductions to free tracks for overdubs across the three sessions
Take 6 reduced to take 7 for overdubs
Take 13 was reduced to take 14 on 17 June 1966 to free tracks for overdubs
Reduction to free tracks for vocal overdubs
Reduction mix to free tracks for vocal and guitar overdubs
Reductions to free tracks for overdubs
Reduction mixes between overdub sessions
Reduction mix on April 19 to free tracks for overdubs
take 3 reduced into take 4
Keyboard tracks bounced on Dec 30; further reductions
Indian instruments reduced before string overdubs
Bounced for further overdubs
Reduction mixes to combine four orchestra passes
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
Take 10 from Olympic transferred to new 4-track tape, with the four backing instruments mixed to one track
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
Take 17 → take 20 → take 25
Multiple track reductions to free up tape for overdubs
Reduction mixes between takes
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
Bounced from 4-track at EMI for transfer to Trident 8-track
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
Take 24 → Take 26 reduction
Recorded on 4-track then bounced to 8-track
67 rhythm-track takes; reduction mixes
Four-track bounced to eight-track for overdubs
Take 18 reduced for overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
Four-track reductions to free space for overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
Two reduction mixes
Reduction from 4-track to 8-track
take 7 reduced into take 8, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
take 7 reduced into take 8, on four-track tape
tracks combined to free space for more overdubs
Updated
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The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions
Mark Lewisohn
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