Soundscapes are powerful tools in shaping human perception. Whether it’s the tranquil hum of nature in a peaceful video game or the eerie silence before a horror film’s jump scare, sound has a profound impact on how we feel and engage with media. But why does a particular sound evoke specific emotions? And how does changing the ambience in films or games alter the audience’s perception of the scene?
In this blog, we’ll explore the psychological and emotional mechanisms behind human sound perception, how filmmakers, sound designers and game developers use this knowledge to craft immersive experiences,
The Science Behind Soundscapes
A soundscape is the acoustic environment perceived by humans, and it’s made up of multiple layers of sound that interact to create a unified sensory experience. According to research, our brains process sound through two main pathways: the cognitive pathway, which helps us consciously analyze the sound (e.g., recognizing a melody), and the emotional pathway, which triggers instinctual reactions (e.g., feeling fear when hearing a sudden loud noise).
These layers are essential in films and games where multiple sounds are layered to form complex environments that can subconsciously guide audience emotions. A simple change in sound can immediately alter how a scene feels, regardless of what is visually present. This is why sound design plays such a vital role in storytelling across multiple media platforms.
Scientists confirmed that soundscapes can evoke specific emotions. Sounds from nature, for example, tend to induce calm, while industrial noises often cause stress or discomfort. The idea is that we have evolved to respond to sound in ways that promote our survival.
How Changing Ambiences Affects Perception
In both film and game audio, subtle shifts in ambient sound can have a profound effect on how a scene is perceived. Directors and sound designers often manipulate ambiences to guide the audience’s emotional journey. Let’s take a closer look at how different ambiences can create varied emotional responses.
1. Silence and Minimalism
Silence is one of the most powerful tools in sound design. In films like A Quiet Place, silence plays a crucial role in creating tension and fear. By reducing background noise, the audience becomes hyper-aware of even the smallest sound, increasing suspense. This technique is also used in horror video games like Dead Space, where moments of near silence build an overwhelming sense of dread. Silence signals to the brain that something important is about to happen, whether good or bad.
2. Nature Ambiences: Calm and Peace
Natural sounds, such as birds chirping or the rustle of leaves, are often used in relaxing and serene settings in film and games. They have a grounding effect on the listener, evoking feelings of calm and comfort. These sounds are used in tranquil game worlds like Journey and meditative films like Into the Wild. According to research in Frontiers in Psychology, natural sounds have been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.
3. Industrial and Urban Sounds: Tension and Unrest
The sound of busy traffic, machinery, or sirens often conveys unease or chaos. In urban action films like The Dark Knight, industrial soundscapes are heavily used to emphasize the tension of city life and its dangers. In video games like Cyberpunk 2077, the urban soundscape is designed to feel oppressive, adding to the sense of a dystopian future where human life is overshadowed by technology.
4. Surreal and Abstract Soundscapes: Disorientation and Mystery
Sometimes sound designers craft surreal ambiences by using manipulated or unnatural sounds to create a sense of unease or mystery. In David Lynch’s Eraserhead, the abstract soundscape is a key element in building an atmosphere of unsettling surrealism. This technique is also prevalent in games like Control, where reality warps around the player, and the sound reflects this bizarre transformation.
Why Certain Atmospheres Evoke Certain Feelings
The connection between sound and emotion is deeply embedded in human biology. Certain sounds are hardwired into our systems to trigger emotional responses. For example, high-pitched sounds can evoke fear or anxiety, as they resemble the cry of a distressed animal or human. On the other hand, lower frequencies tend to induce calm or solemnity, much like the resonance of a deep voice or a distant thunderstorm.
Filmmakers and game developers capitalize on these primal instincts. By carefully selecting the tone, rhythm, and texture of sound, they craft ambiences that evoke specific feelings at particular moments.
For instance, sudden changes in sound levels (from quiet to loud) create a sense of shock or urgency, while smooth, repetitive sounds can generate a meditative or hypnotic state. This is why ambient sound in a tranquil forest scene often features a consistent flow of gentle noises, while a high-energy action scene will include erratic, jarring sounds to reflect chaos.
Crafting the Perfect Soundscape
Soundscapes are a vital part of storytelling in both film and game audio. Whether it’s creating tension with silence or inducing calm with nature sounds, the right ambience can profoundly shape how an audience feels. At Shaping Waves, we specialize in recording and designing unique soundscapes that evoke the exact emotions you’re looking for in your project.
Understanding how humans perceive sound and how these perceptions change with different ambiences is key to mastering sound design. So next time you’re creating an immersive world, remember that every sound – no matter how small – has the power to shape the entire audience experience.