SONIC SORCERY!

HOW AUDIO DIRECTS YOUR MEDIA EXPERIENCE

- Chris Noel Hidalgo

Audiovisual media rely on both your eyes and ears (hence the term) to transport you from your couch to distant worlds, whether real or imagined. While sound often takes a supporting role to visuals, it is nonetheless a critical part of the entire experience. Imagine having to watch your favorite shows on mute and just relying on subtitles and sound markers such as [BANG], [WIND HOWLS], or [EERIE FOOTSTEPS APPROACH]. Not too immersive, eh?

From the big screen to the gaming console, and even to those annoying commercials that interrupt your latest YouTube binge, sound not only completes the package as an aural filler. Rather, sound has the power to surface emotions, play with our senses, and transport us into the heat of the action. Strap on your headsets, and let us explore how sonic sorcery can bewitch our minds and leave us spellbound.

Lights, camera, audio!

In the realm of silver-screen flicks and small-screen series, sound is essential to creating an immersive viewing experience. This especially goes for the sheer thumping power of cinema speakers, which is hard to replicate at home unless you have some serious cash to spend. But even with just your device's native speaker or a basic pair of in-ear headphones, sound can change your perception of a scene. Think of those subtle moments when ominous music thumps just as the bad guy reveals their true, evil intentions. Or even the triumphant overtures that accompany the main character's underdog triumph. Or those sweet K-pop melodies whenever the serious guy glimpses the happy-go-lucky gal. These audio cues, while evident in hindsight, are done on purpose to further emphasize the emotions that we must feel in the moment.