Ambient sound

Definition

Ambient sound refers to the background noise present in a particular environment, which helps to create a sense of atmosphere and context in multimedia storytelling. It can include sounds like the rustle of leaves, city traffic, or distant conversations that enrich the overall experience and immerse the audience in the narrative. By incorporating ambient sound, storytellers enhance the emotional impact and authenticity of their content.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ambient sound plays a crucial role in setting the mood and tone of a story, influencing how the audience feels about the scene.
2. In multimedia storytelling, ambient sound can help establish location, time of day, and even season by incorporating sounds specific to those elements.
3. When used effectively, ambient sound can transition smoothly between scenes, maintaining continuity and keeping the audience engaged.
4. Recordings of ambient sound can be layered with other audio elements to create a richer listening experience that feels more realistic.
5. Poorly mixed or absent ambient sound can lead to a disjointed feel, making scenes feel unnatural or detached from their environment.

Review Questions

• How does ambient sound contribute to the emotional impact of a multimedia story?
  • Ambient sound significantly contributes to the emotional impact by establishing atmosphere and context that resonates with the audience. It adds depth to scenes by filling in auditory details that evoke feelings of nostalgia, tension, or tranquility. By carefully selecting ambient sounds that reflect the environment and mood, storytellers can engage viewers more fully and enhance their overall experience.
• Evaluate how ambient sound interacts with diegetic and non-diegetic sounds within multimedia narratives.
  • Ambient sound interacts closely with both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds to create a cohesive auditory experience. Diegetic sounds are those that characters within the story can hear, while non-diegetic sounds include elements like background music. Ambient sound often serves as a bridge between these two types; for instance, natural background noises may be heard by characters but also provide emotional cues that complement non-diegetic scores. This interaction enriches storytelling by providing layers of meaning and enhancing immersion.
• Create a strategy for integrating ambient sound effectively into a multimedia project, considering its narrative purpose.
  • To integrate ambient sound effectively into a multimedia project, start by identifying key emotional moments in your narrative where atmosphere is essential. Use field recordings or library samples to select ambient sounds that reflect these moments—think about location-specific noises and what they convey. Layer these sounds carefully under dialogue or main action without overwhelming them, allowing them to blend naturally. Also, consider using dynamic changes in ambient sound to signal shifts in tone or setting throughout your project. Finally, test your mix with an audience to ensure it enhances rather than distracts from the story.

Related terms

Diegetic sound: Sound that originates from within the narrative world of a film or audio piece, meaning characters in the story can hear it.

Non-diegetic sound: Sound that is not part of the narrative world, such as background music or voiceovers, which characters cannot hear.

Sound design: The process of creating, acquiring, manipulating, or generating sound elements for various media, including film, television, and video games.