Sound Glossary

*Film/TV sound has to be mixed very carefully to ensure that important sounds are emphasised and that the correct atmosphere for a sequence is maintained.

1) Selective Sound – is used to emphasise key sound elements within a sequence

2) Ambient Sounds – The natural sound occurring in the area where you are shooting your video

3) Sound Bridges – When the scene begins with the carry-over sound from the previous scene before the new sound begins

4) Sound Effects – Any sound that has been artificially produced or reproduced from a recording to create a more theatrical effect

5) Theme music – A piece of music that is more often that not, written specifically for a Film/TV program/Radio/Video and is usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits

6) Musical scores – A musical score is a bit of music that has been written specifically to accompany a Film or TV Program. It becomes a part of the Films soundtrack, which also usually includes sound effects and dialogue

7) Silence – A silent film is a film with no Diegetic sound at all. If it has any music over the top it is Non-Diegetic sound.

8) Diegetic Sound – Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film. (It’s in the film)

9) Non-Diegetic Sound – Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action. (It’s not there)

10) Voiceover – The voice of an unseen narrator, or and onscreen character speaking in their heads.

11) Synchronous sound – It refers to sound effects recorded at the time of the filming of the movie. Just to emphasise the sound that is actually happening in the recording. 

12) Asynchronous sound - A sound that is suitable for the action but not precisely linked with the action

13) Contrapuntal - A sound that we hear that we wouldn’t associate with the events on the screen

14) Genre – Genres are different categories that different sounds can be put into

15) Tone – A sound that is considered in reference to its quality, pitch, strength and source

16) Mood – Determines what type of music will be played as it depends on the emotion and atmosphere in the scene.

17) SFX – An illusion used in film, television, theatre or entertainment industries that simulate the sound in a story are traditionally called sound effects (usually known as SFX)