The different sounds used in Media

We use all different types of sounds in media for many different reasons. It adds effect and creates atmosphere where needed.

Special effects

Special effects using sound to suggest a story element such as background, time, place, character, etc. Also used to heighten and intensify action or evoke an emotional response.

Digetic Sound
Sound that exists within the world of film.

Non-Digetic Sound

Sound that emerges from outside the world of the TV, eg film soundtracks.

Music

Music can be digetic or non-digetic.

Sound Bridges

The use of sound to help transitions between sequences pass more fluidly. E.g. the editor may cut to a completely new scene, but allow sound from the preceding scene to run for a short time. Alternatively, we may hear the sound of the next scene before we see it.

Ambient Sound

Sound/music used to create a particular atmosphere or a sense of place.

Selective Sound

Emphasises key sound elements within a sequence.

Asynchronous

Sound that is separate from the visuals, such as a voiceover or dialogue from another scene.

Synchronous

Sound caused by some event on screen, so that sound matches the action.