Re-doing actions (prze-)

Recording in the Studio

Before remixing or editing a track, you need the original recording. When discussing music production, you will frequently use verbs like nagrać (to record).

Tomorrow we have to go to the studio to record this vocal.
Jutro musimy pojechać do studia, żeby nagrać ten wokal.

Re-doing Actions with "prze-"

The verbal prefix prze- is incredibly versatile. One of its common functions is to show an action being redone or altered, similar to the English prefix "re-".

By adding prze- to robić (to do/make), you get przerobić (to rework). This is perfect for talking about remixing a track or changing an arrangement.

This vocal is quiet, that's why we have to rework it.
Ten wokal jest cichy, dlatego musimy go przerobić.
The musician reworked the whole arrangement, which was boring.
Muzyk przerobił całą aranżację, która była nudna.

Thoroughness and Processing

The prefix prze- can also imply doing an action thoroughly from start to finish, often resulting in a transformation. When processing raw audio, we use the verb przetworzyć (to process).

Can you process this sound?
Czy możesz przetworzyć ten dźwięk?
This sound was weak, that's why I processed it.
Ten dźwięk był słaby, dlatego go przetworzyłem.

Transferring and Shifting

Finally, prze- has a strong spatial meaning, indicating movement across or transfer from one place to another. In a digital audio workspace or a physical studio, you use this to talk about moving tracks, shifting timing, or transferring files.

Key verbs for this include:

  • przenieść (to transfer / move across)
  • przesunąć (to shift / slide over)
You have to move the vocal to another recording.
Musisz przenieść wokal do innego nagrania.
If you shift this part, the sound will be better.
Jeśli przesuniesz tę część, brzmienie będzie lepsze.
We transferred the file because the arrangement was ready.
Przenieśliśmy plik, dlatego że aranżacja była gotowa.

Contributors