ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the physics of sound and explain some resulting principles and best practices that filmmakers can apply to their sound production, editing, and mix. Filmmakers should have an understanding of some of the basics of sound—how sound is created; how it moves; and how we hear, measure, and record it. Sound is essential to storytelling. Good sound propels us through a narrative, triggering certain emotions, reminding us of themes, and helping us recall information. Along with the visuals, sound creates a satisfying film experience in both fiction and nonfiction stories. Pitch is almost entirely determined by the frequency of a sound wave, essentially the speed at which it travels. Amplitude is the measure of energy of a sound wave. Keep in mind that the sample rate and bit depth of digital audio have everything to do with soundwaves, their frequencies, and their amplitudes.
