Videos Company: Diegetic & Non-Diegetic Sound

Picture this: you are watching a scene where the hero is running through the rain. You see the storm, but you do not hear the thunder or the splashing of footsteps. Worse still, there is no swelling music to pull you into the urgency of the moment. The result? A flat and forgettable experience. Sound is not just an accessory in video production. It cannot be an afterthought. In fact, we can be as bold as to say that it is just as important as the visuals. Studies back this up; research from the Audio Engineering Society found that audio quality directly affects how people perceive video quality, even when the visuals are high-definition. In this article, we will explore two key components of sound in video: diegetic sound, the audio rooted in the scene itself, and non-diegetic sound, like music and narration added to guide the audience’s emotions. We will also examine how a videos company ensures these elements are integrated to fit the video’s purpose and style.

What is Diegetic Sound?

Diegetic sound refers to sound that originates from within the world of the story. In other words, these sounds exist both for the characters and the audience. When you are watching a scene, the characters hear these sounds, and so does the viewer. This includes spoken dialogue, natural background noises, and any sound that could logically exist in the scene itself.

Examples of Diegetic Sound:

Dialogue: The most obvious example is when characters speak to one another. This sound is both heard by the audience and part of the story’s reality.
Ambient Sounds: Everyday noises like birds chirping, the hum of a passing car, or the sound of footsteps—all of these are diegetic sounds.
In-Film Music: When music is played within the scene, such as a character strumming a guitar or a radio playing in the background, it is also diegetic.

How A Videos Company Uses Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound influences the authenticity of a video and helps draw viewers into its world. A videos company will often use diegetic sound in various types of videos to create a more immersive experience. For example:

Documentaries rely heavily on diegetic sounds to encapsulate the core of the subject matter, like the sounds of wildlife, people, or urban life.
Corporate videos may use diegetic sounds to reinforce the atmosphere of an office, factory, or meeting, making the viewer feel like they are actually there.
Marketing videos may include diegetic sound effects to emphasise product features or demonstrate how a product is used in real life, helping potential customers relate more to the brand.

Using diegetic sound effectively helps create a sense of realism and connection to the story, making it easier for viewers to become immersed in the narrative.

What is Non-Diegetic Sound?

Non-diegetic sound, in contrast, is sound that the audience hears, but the characters cannot. This includes any audio that a videos company adds during post-production to enhance the viewer’s watching experience, such as a musical score or a narrator’s voice.

Examples of Non-Diegetic Sound:

Music Scores: Background music that plays during a scene but is not heard by the characters. This music helps guide the viewer’s emotional response to the action on screen.
Voiceovers/Narration: A voice that guides the viewer through the story, providing additional context or commentary. This is often used in corporate explainer videos or documentaries.
Sound Effects for Dramatic Effect: Sometimes, non-diegetic sounds are added to heighten the drama of a scene, such as an ominous sound cue to indicate danger.

How A Videos Company Uses Non-Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound is often used in marketing, narrative films, and corporate videos to shape the emotional tone and provide guidance for the viewer. For instance:

In Explainer Videos: Non-diegetic voiceovers can help steer the viewer’s attention, offering necessary context that anchors the narrative or explains aspects that might otherwise be overlooked.
In Films and Documentaries: Non-diegetic music can heighten suspense, joy, or sorrow. For example, a subtle piano melody can elicit a feeling of nostalgia, while an intense orchestral score can create tension during an action scene.
In Corporate Content: A well-chosen background score can enhance the tone of a presentation or promotional video, making it more impactful.

Non-diegetic sound plays a significant role in influencing the emotional direction of a video. By adding sound that does not originate from the scene, it can draw attention to specific moments and reinforce the overall narrative.

Why You Should Trust a Videos Company with Sound Design

When it comes to the use of sound in video production, trusting a professional videos company can make all the difference. While sound might seem like an afterthought, it has a profound impact on the viewer’s experience. In fact, studies have shown that:

Videos with well-designed sound are 70% more likely to retain viewer attention.
On the flip side, poor sound design can cause a 52% drop in audience retention, which can severely affect your video’s effectiveness.

A professional videos company understands how to balance diegetic and non-diegetic sound. They know how to mix dialogue and ambient sounds so that every element serves a specific purpose without overpowering the others. Additionally, they can choose the right music, sound effects, and voiceovers that complement the video’s tone, all while avoiding the risk of distracting or jarring audio choices.

Case Studies: Successful Uses of Sound

Successful Uses of Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound

“Baby Driver” (2017): Edgar Wright’s film masterfully blends non-diegetic music with diegetic sound to immerse the audience in the protagonist’s world. The soundtrack is integrated into the film’s narrative—character movements, car chases, and even dialogue are synchronised with the music, creating a rhythm that enhances both the action and emotional depth of the film.
“Planet Earth” (2006): The documentary series uses diegetic sounds of nature (like animal calls and natural environmental sounds) to create an authentic and immersive experience. Non-diegetic narration and music guide the viewer’s response to the majestic landscapes and animals, influencing how they interpret the scenes.

When Sound Choices Disrupt the Narrative

Inconsistent Ambient Sound in Corporate Videos: A corporate video can be damaged by poor diegetic sound mixing, such as background noise that distracts from important dialogue. For instance, if a boardroom video has an overpowering hum of an air conditioner or indistinct chatter in the background, it can make the scene feel chaotic and unprofessional.
Overpowering Music in Films: An example of a failed application of non-diegetic sound is in some thrillers, where intense music or sound effects are used excessively, drowning out crucial dialogue. This can lead to confusion or disengagement, as viewers struggle to hear the characters’ words while the music overtakes the scene.

These examples show that, while sound is an incredibly powerful tool, it must be used thoughtfully and balanced correctly to ensure it contributes positively to the narrative.

How Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound Work Together

When combined effectively, diegetic and non-diegetic sound can complement one another to create a rich, immersive experience. For example, a scene where a character plays a guitar (diegetic sound) could transition into a swelling musical score (non-diegetic) that emphasises the emotion of the scene. This transition from one type of sound to another, known as a trans-diegetic technique, allows a videos company to blur the line between what is heard in the world of the story and what is used to manipulate the emotional response of the audience.

The key is using both types of sound in a way that enhances the narrative, amplifies the emotional stakes, and reinforces the themes of the video. A well-balanced mix of diegetic and non-diegetic elements ensures that the sound serves as an invisible, yet integral part of the storytelling process.

Final Thoughts

Sound is not a finishing touch or a background detail—it is the glue that holds the entire experience together. Without thoughtful sound design, even the most stunning visuals can fall flat. By blending diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, video creators can immerse audiences, guide emotions, and elevate storytelling to its fullest potential. On-screen sounds like dialogue or ambient noise give realism and context, while scores and voiceovers add depth. Together, these elements create a complete sensory experience. A professional videos company ensures that every detail—whether it is recording diegetic audio on set or carefully layering non-diegetic sound during post-production—is well executed. Their expertise ensures your video does not just look great—it has an impact and stays memorable.

Don’t let your audio fall short of your visuals. Reach out to Sound Idea Digital and ensure your video delivers on both fronts.

We are a full-service Web Development and Content Production Agency in Gauteng specialising in Video Production, Animation, eLearning Content Development, Learning Management Systems, and Content Production.
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