SOUND DESIGN RESEARCH: DESCRIBING SOUND

As mentioned previously sound is really hard to describe. I use sound regularly in my work without thinking too much so I decided to do a refresher of the key terms to be made aware of and to cement them in my mind moving forward. These also raise ideas and concepts that I can utilize in my own work. I also read around the subject a little from the excellent  book that Simon Keep recommended. It is called Audio Vision: Sound on Screen by Michael Chion with a foreword from a hero of mine the editors and man who coined the term sound designer Walter Murch. Chion described sound design brilliantly like this. The visuals to the far left of a scale, music to the far right and sound design operates within a window where the two overlap.

TYPES AND USES OF SOUND
The following all describe how sound can be used in film and TV.

• DIEGETIC sound is audio that could be originating from the action happening on screen. A radio in shot or dialogue from the characters on-screen.
• NON-DIEGETIC sound is audio that is NOT originating from the action happening on screen. For instance the score or a soundtrack.
• MUSIC is used to create mood. The score is written to accompany the film by a composer. The Soundtrack is songs that are used in the film.
• SOUND FX added to enhance scenes. FOLEY gunshots, footsteps etc recreated afterwards.
• AMBIENT sound can added to create atmosphere. In a studio shoot city noises add a city atmosphere.
• VOICE OVERS allow us into character thoughts.
• PARELLEL sound/music reflects the screen action.
• CONTRAPUNTAL sound opposite to screen action.
• PLEONASTICS sound is enhanced OTT sound. Often used in fight scenes and in horror films.
• CHARACTER THEMES are related to characters.
• SOUND BRIDGES flow from one scene to the next

TALKING ABOUT SOUND WHEN ANALYSING
The following are terms that can be used to try and analyse and describe t sound in film & TV.

• DURATION: How long it lasts.
• DYNAMICS: Energetic, tense, soothing.
• GENRE: Type of music hip hop, jazz, rock etc
• MELODY: A distinctive tune “Mission Impossible”
• PITCH: High, low.
• RHYTHM: Pattern of the beat.
• TEXTURE: Heavy, light.
• TONE: (timbre) tense, aggressive, mellow, cheerful.
• VOLUME: loud, quiet, soft etc.

TALKING ABOUT SOUND MUSIC
The following are all terms that can be used to try and analyse and describe music in film and TV.

• SYMPHONIC: Performed by an orchestra.
• MELODY: A distinctive tune.
• ATONAL: Music with no established key.
• DISCORDANT: Dissonant non-harmonious sounds.
• RHYTHMIC: Percussive sounds forming a beat.