What’s the difference between doubling and comping?

In a nutshell:

• Doubling is recording a second performance of the same part onto another track in order to “thicken” the sound. This is a technique that’s often used with vocals (i.e. Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John).

• Comping is combining the best sections of several different takes of the same part onto one “composite” track to create the best possible performance.

Now go impress your friends at cocktail parties with your new nerdy engineer-speak! -kf