10.1 Types of Ambient Sounds and Their Functions

Ambient sounds are the unsung heroes of sound design, setting the stage for immersive storytelling. From background noises to atmospheric effects, these sonic elements create a sense of place, enhance mood, and support the narrative. They're the secret sauce that brings fictional worlds to life.

Diegetic and non-diegetic ambience play different roles in shaping the audience's experience. Diegetic sounds exist within the story world, while non-diegetic sounds are added for the audience's benefit. Both types work together to create a rich, multidimensional soundscape that captivates viewers.

Background and Environmental Sounds

Establishing a Sense of Place

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Top images from around the web for Establishing a Sense of Place

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  Soundscapes of Stockholm (3) - Sounds Of Changes View original

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  Drifter (Vol 3) - Soothing Ambient Soundscapes | Listen onli… | Flickr View original

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  The Great Place Award 2016 Soundscapes | The Academy of Urbanism View original

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  Soundscapes of Stockholm (3) - Sounds Of Changes View original

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  Drifter (Vol 3) - Soothing Ambient Soundscapes | Listen onli… | Flickr View original

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• Background ambience creates a sense of place and setting by providing a consistent sonic environment (city street, forest, office)
• Room tone captures the unique acoustic properties of a specific location, such as the subtle hum of air conditioning or the natural reverb of a large hall
  • Helps maintain continuity between shots and scenes filmed in the same location
• Environmental sounds are specific, identifiable sounds that occur within a given setting (birdsong in a forest, car horns in a city)
  • Add realism and depth to the sonic landscape
• Soundscape refers to the complete acoustic environment of a location, including all background ambience, room tone, and environmental sounds
  • Helps immerse the audience in the story world and convey a specific time, place, or atmosphere

Enhancing Mood and Emotion

• Background ambience can subtly influence the emotional tone of a scene (eerie wind in a horror film, lively chatter in a comedy)
• Environmental sounds can be used to heighten tension or create a sense of calm (distant thunder before a storm, gentle waves on a beach)
• The absence of background sound can also be used for dramatic effect, creating a sense of isolation, emptiness, or anticipation
• Carefully crafted soundscapes can evoke specific emotions and guide the audience's perception of a scene (unsettling industrial drones in a dystopian setting, peaceful nature sounds in a romantic scene)

Atmospheric Effects and Textures

Creating Ambience and Mood

• Atmospheric effects are non-specific, often abstract sounds that enhance the overall mood or atmosphere of a scene (ethereal drones, ominous rumbles)
• Sonic textures are layered, complex sounds that add depth and richness to the ambient soundscape (dense jungle ambience, the hum of a spaceship interior)
  • Help create a more immersive and believable sonic environment
• Ambient loops are seamlessly repeating sections of background ambience or atmospheric effects
  • Provide a consistent sonic foundation for a scene or location
  • Allow for easy extension or modification of the ambient soundscape

Enhancing Narrative and Thematic Elements

• Atmospheric effects can be used to underscore narrative themes or motifs (menacing undertones in a thriller, whimsical chimes in a fantasy)
• Sonic textures can help convey the scale or complexity of a setting (the vast emptiness of space, the intricate workings of a machine)
• Carefully designed ambient loops can create a sense of time passing or a specific time of day (gradually changing city ambience from day to night)
• Atmospheric effects and textures can also be used to smooth transitions between scenes or to bridge gaps in the narrative

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Ambience

Diegetic Ambience

• Diegetic ambience refers to sounds that exist within the story world and can be heard by the characters
  • Examples include music playing on a radio, the hum of a refrigerator, or the sound of rain outside a window
• Diegetic ambience helps establish the reality of the story world and grounds the characters in their environment
• Changes in diegetic ambience can indicate shifts in location, time, or narrative perspective
• Interaction between characters and diegetic ambient sounds can reveal character traits, emotions, or relationships (a character turning off a distracting TV)

Non-Diegetic Ambience

• Non-diegetic ambience refers to sounds that are added for the benefit of the audience and cannot be heard by the characters
  • Examples include emotional undertones, abstract atmospheric effects, or musical scores
• Non-diegetic ambience can be used to convey information, evoke emotions, or guide the audience's interpretation of a scene
• Changes in non-diegetic ambience can signal shifts in tone, theme, or narrative direction
• Non-diegetic ambience can also be used to create a sense of continuity or cohesion across different scenes or storylines