The Most Basic Asynchronous Sound Film Definition

The use of sound in film is an incredibly intricate and complicated process. That you may not immediately realize just how much goes into it until you get involved. Perhaps you’ve heard the terms synchronous sounds and asynchronous sounds? Do you know what the most basic asynchronous sound in film definition is?

In the simplest form, asynchronous sound is a reference to sound that has not been synchronized with any behavior or action on the screen.

What Does Asynchronous Sound Mean?

Asynchronous sound in film is a term that comes up frequently. If you’ve ever heard a sound such as that of a dog barking outside a window. Where there is no visual of the dog. But the sound is present, then you’ve experienced asynchronous sound in film.

Perhaps you’ve seen parts of a movie in which the sound of a phone ringing breaks the otherwise silent stare of a group of people at a dinner table.

But the phone is in the next scene, in the other room. And is not visible in any capacity on the screen when it rings. That’s asynchronous sound in film.

Consider This

Asynchronous sound has not been synchronized with an event taking place or an action taking place on the screen. This doesn’t mean that the action won’t take place on screen in the future.

But it means that the sound is not directly related to an action that is currently visible on the screen.

For example, when a dog is barking outside, but the visual on the screen is of an indoor scene, you’re experiencing asynchronous sound.

Asynchronous Sound in Film Supports Reality

In reality, we hear more than just the sounds for what we can see. While we may have a conversation inside our home, we may also hear things like the noise of children playing upstairs, or the sound of a dog barking outside, or an air conditioner kicking on above.

All of these sounds, although they are not visible to us, still happen. And they can occur in a similar scene in a movie too. In such a case, they would be considered asynchronous sounds.

A basic asynchronous sound in film definition would. Thus, state that asynchronous sound effects are those which are not matched to any visible source on the screen but which can be used to add a level of realism or emotional connection to the film. 

Asynchronous Sound Effects

Asynchronous sound effects can be added into a film to add realism to the story. For example, if you’re watching a scene in which there is a group of people in a hospital. You may hear sounds relative to the emergency room taking place all around.

Perhaps you would hear a siren outside, or the sound of codes coming in over the loudspeaker, or the sound of a doctor firing off orders in a nearby area of the hospital.

All of these are asynchronous sound effects that can be used to create a level of realism and connection to the story. Asynchronous sound in film, by definition represents a sound that cannot be matched with a visible source but which can add realism to the story.