Meaning
An electronic effects box that a selector uses to fire off sirens, zaps, lasers, and whistles over the music in a dance — a signature sound of dub and sound-system culture. The selector triggers the dub siren to hype the crowd, punctuate a heavy tune, and build excitement, especially at the drop or on a rewind. Its screaming, whooping effects are inseparable from the dancehall sound.
Examples
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Di selecta fire di dub siren when di tune drop.
The selector fires the dub siren when the tune drops.
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Zap! Di siren buss ova di bass.
Zap! The siren goes off over the bass.
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Di dub siren hype di crowd.
The dub siren hypes the crowd.
Origin
From 'dub' + 'siren'; the selector's electronic sound-effects box. See [[air-horn]], [[selecta]].
How it’s used
The electronic siren/zap effects box a selector fires to hype the crowd. See [[air-horn]], [[selecta]].