A description of the different types of sound used in filmmaking

1. Types of Sound used in
Filmmaking

2. Diegetic Sound
Diegetic sound is sound which occurs within the diegesis
created by a film; sound that fits with the actions taking place
on screen. This 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.

3. NON DIEGETIC SOUND
Non diegetic sound is sound which is generated outside of the
picture on screen, for example voice overs or music not
represented within the frame. Adding music to objects as non
diegetic sound is an art form. Music creates mood and
atmosphere in a film, often by manipulating the emotions
experienced while viewing and so it is something important to
consider when we create our own short film.

4. Synchronous sound
A synchronous sound is a sound that is matched to certain
movements occurring in the scene, such as when footsteps
correspond to feet walking. Synchronous sound can be
recorded simultaneously to capturing the visual footage
because these two elements need to be in sync. If it is
recorded separately then the synchronisation between the
picture and sound has to be precise in order for them to occur
at the same time. For example, an actors lips has to be
moving at the same speed as the sound he produces to make
the footage realistic and easy to watch and interpret.

5. Asynchronous sound
Asynchronous sound also matches the action being
performed, however it is not precisely synchronised within
the action. This type of sound is often used when the director
wants to create tension as the viewer can hear a sound but
cannot see the sound.

6. Contrapuntal and Parallel Sound
Contrapuntal sound occurs in a film if the music and the
visual elements play against each other in a form of contrast.
Parallel sound describes the condition where audio and visual
effects match, not in synchronity but in tone and mood.

7. Ambient sound
In filmmaking ambient sound consists of the ‘normal’ sound
of a given location or specific place. It is normally recorded in
stereo by the sound department during the production stage
of filmmaking and is used to provide a film location with
sonic space and normally occupies a separate track when
editing the sound. It is used to create a sense of realism. Lack
of ambient sound can make the scene feel tense and it is
therefore often used in horror films.