TYPE’S OF SOUND

Done by Eman Shah

DIEGETIC SOUND

Diegetic sound is a sound which is visible on the

screen or whose source is implied to be present by

the action of the film. These can include the voices of

characters, sound made by objects in the film or

music represented as coming from instruments in

the story space source music. Diegetic sound can be

either on screen or off screen depending on

whatever its source is within the frame or outside

the frame.

NON DIEGETIC SOUND

Non diegetic sound is a sound which is generated

outside the picture for example voice overs or music.

For example in a film we may hear music which is a

non diegetic sound. Adding music to objects is an art

form. Music creates mood and atmosphere in a film,

often by manipulating the emotions experienced

while viewing.

SYNCHRONOUS SOUND

A synchronous sound is a sound that is matched to

certain movements occurring in the scene for

example when footsteps correspond to feet walking.

Synchronous sound can be recorded on a tape. If it is

recorded then the synchronisation between the

picture and sound has to be precise in order to

match the same speed for example an actors lips

has to be moving at the same speed as the sound

effect. This is done to make it realistic and

synchronized.

ASYNCHRONOUS SOUND

Asynchronous sound match the action being

performed, however it is not precisely synchronized

within the action. This type of sound is used when

the director wants to create tension as the viewer

can hear a sound but cannot see the sound.

CONTRAPUNTAL & PARALLEL SOUND

Contrapuntal sound occurs in a film if the music

and the visual elements play against each other, and

are in contrast. Parallel sound describes the

condition where audio and visual effects match, not

in synchronity but in tone and mood.

AMBIENT SOUND

In filmmaking ambient sound consists of the sound

or a given location or space. Ambient sound is

normally recorded in stereo by the sound

department during the production stage of

filmmaking. This type of sound is used to provide a

film location with sonic space and normally occupies

a separate track in the sound effect.

VOICEOVER

A voiceover is when a voice from outside the

diegesis gives the audience information. Often a

voiceover tells a story (narrator) or may be from a

character in the story to communicate their thoughts

or feelings.

SOUND MOTIF

A sound motif is a sound that is associated with a

character or a place. For example in a school you

would hear the bell ringing or the sound of students.

DUBBING

This type of sound describes the process by which

sound is added to a film, usually in the form of a

different language dubbed over the original

language. Dubbing is most familiar to audiences as a

means of translating foreign-language films into the

audience’s language. When a foreign language is

dubbed, the translation of the original dialogue is

carefully matched to the lip movements of the actors

in the film.

EMPATHETIC SOUND

This is sound effect or music that matches the

mood and rhythm of the actions on the screen. For

example such as a sad song playing during a

depressing or upsetting scene.

ANEMPATHETIC SOUND

Anempathetic sound in a film is the opposite of a

empathetic sound. It consists of music or sound

effects that exhibit an indifference to the current

tone, emotion, or plot-point of the film. This type of

sound can thereby enhance a sense of the tragic, as

when a radio continues to play a happy tune when a

character dies.

SOUND BRIDGE

A sound bridge is a type of sound which is

sustained form one scene to the next. A sound may

begin with a particular sound, but does not end

when the next scene begins. For example a director

may decide to continue a piece of music associated

with one character into the next scene where that

character is not present and therefore indicating

that the presence of the character is felt even in

their absence.