Background music - WHY???
Discussion
I do not understand why people insist on putting background music seemingly into every single bit of video ever produced, and also a lot of audio!
This isn't about music soundtracks in films and TV where it's used to create atmosphere, generate tension, etc, etc, but the horrid bingly-bongly elevator musak that gets rammed into things like corporate customer case study videos or product advertising shorts for use on Social Media.
I've even started hearing it on some podcasts! As an example, this Greek Mythology short stories podcast on Spotify where the jingly music is so bloody loud that you struggle to actually hear the presenter. I also listened to another where the backing track actually had lyrics, so I found myself trying to listen to them rather than what the presenter was saying!
Surely I'm not alone in finding this sort of thing really annoying? Is there anyone who works in this sector who could explain why it's there?
This isn't about music soundtracks in films and TV where it's used to create atmosphere, generate tension, etc, etc, but the horrid bingly-bongly elevator musak that gets rammed into things like corporate customer case study videos or product advertising shorts for use on Social Media.
I've even started hearing it on some podcasts! As an example, this Greek Mythology short stories podcast on Spotify where the jingly music is so bloody loud that you struggle to actually hear the presenter. I also listened to another where the backing track actually had lyrics, so I found myself trying to listen to them rather than what the presenter was saying!
Surely I'm not alone in finding this sort of thing really annoying? Is there anyone who works in this sector who could explain why it's there?
You're not alone. I hate it too - I often see/hear it on YouTube videos, quite often very intrusive and makes hearing voice overs or speech very difficult.
It's the same on TV when dramatic music is layered over something. I was watching the Discovery Channels the other day and it was just ruined by stupid music over the top which was just unnecessary.
It's the same on TV when dramatic music is layered over something. I was watching the Discovery Channels the other day and it was just ruined by stupid music over the top which was just unnecessary.
I'm with you. The number of property presentations I've had to sit through with a ghastly racket in the background is immense. Very much puts me off whatever they're selling.
Radio 1 News really irks me (I don't listen to it unless forced) when they have a thumping tune in the background while they report on a family dying in a house fire etc.
Radio 1 News really irks me (I don't listen to it unless forced) when they have a thumping tune in the background while they report on a family dying in a house fire etc.
Kermit power said:
I've even started hearing it on some podcasts! As an example, this Greek Mythology short stories podcast on Spotify
Christ, that's awful.Basically, it's too loud and whoever did their audio needs a slap.
I put music as a BACKGROUND to my videos but you'll notice that I actually highlight that word. I don't want the music to drown me out... obviously. In the example you've given, it's not far off a 50/50 split like when you go to a rave and the MC has to shout over the music via the mic.
Also, whoever chose that music got it wrong. The string instrument (harp) used is more modern. Lyres are more relevant. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=micha...
Different tonal quality. (The lyre is where the harp and guitar... and piano originate from.)
Kermit power said:
Surely I'm not alone in finding this sort of thing really annoying?
You're most certainly not alone. A channel on YT that I watch regularly has recently hopped on the BGM bandwagon and it's made their videos unwatchable for me. The music consists of loops which are not quite loud enough to be properly audible, yet still just about loud enough to be extremely irritating and distracting.Couldn't agree more. Many years ago before the Internet, we were in a travel agency to book our first holiday abroad.
They had background music and several videos of 'holiday ideas' all playing at the same time.
I asked if they would turn them off, or at least turn them down so we could concentrate.
They wouldn't, so we just got up and walked out.
They had background music and several videos of 'holiday ideas' all playing at the same time.
I asked if they would turn them off, or at least turn them down so we could concentrate.
They wouldn't, so we just got up and walked out.
Kermit power said:
Is there anyone who works in this sector who could explain why it's there?
Just finished a batch of videos today for a Public Sector client destined for Social Media. I'm afraid to report that they do indeed contain the sort of music you describe. I'll try and make the explanation as less nerdy as I can.To start with, background music should be just that; you know it's there but it shouldn't be the dominant audio. The problem is that everyone hears things slightly differently. Someone editing a video may think it's absolutely fine and to them, it is. But to others, it's not. Technology can address this to a degree but you need to know how to use that tech for it to work well and few people truly understand 'sound'.
You also have a huge amount of video being produced by keen ammeters or have-a-go-pros. It's a curse that affects all aspects of the Creative Profession... download an app and everyone believes they're a designer, photographer or film editor. Because there's no quality control on what goes on the internet, all manner of crap get's published masquerading as professionally produced material. Sound is the most obvious example of where this applies, - the editing, engineering and music choice.
If I have a job with sufficient budget. I'll sub-out the audio engineering part as it's the one part of the process I struggle with. Sound engineering is a highly undervalued profession.... which is why it's also expensive which explains why it's an under-used resource.
I could go on about the degradation in audio quality of the devices we listen to and watch but that would lead us down a very geeky path.
As to why it's there.... 99% of the time, it would sound strange without. Background music can mask imperfections in the master track (such as content recorded in an echoey room one minute and a carpet lined shoe-cupboard the next) that cannot easily be processed out. It provides an audible link between clips of a specific scene or group of scenes. It can support the creative narrative, emphasising intrigue, suspense, surprise, etc.
If it's done right, it shouldn't jar or annoy you. You should know it's there but not be bothered by it. If it does bother you or jars you, the chances are that it's been done wrong, the music is wrong or that your hearing is sensitive to certain tones that end up dominating what you hear. Nine times out of ten, it will be the first of these.
StevieBee said:
Just finished a batch of videos today for a Public Sector client destined for Social Media. I'm afraid to report that they do indeed contain the sort of music you describe. I'll try and make the explanation as less nerdy as I can.
To start with, background music should be just that; you know it's there but it shouldn't be the dominant audio. The problem is that everyone hears things slightly differently. Someone editing a video may think it's absolutely fine and to them, it is. But to others, it's not. Technology can address this to a degree but you need to know how to use that tech for it to work well and few people truly understand 'sound'.
You also have a huge amount of video being produced by keen ammeters or have-a-go-pros. It's a curse that affects all aspects of the Creative Profession... download an app and everyone believes they're a designer, photographer or film editor. Because there's no quality control on what goes on the internet, all manner of crap get's published masquerading as professionally produced material. Sound is the most obvious example of where this applies, - the editing, engineering and music choice.
If I have a job with sufficient budget. I'll sub-out the audio engineering part as it's the one part of the process I struggle with. Sound engineering is a highly undervalued profession.... which is why it's also expensive which explains why it's an under-used resource.
I could go on about the degradation in audio quality of the devices we listen to and watch but that would lead us down a very geeky path.
As to why it's there.... 99% of the time, it would sound strange without. Background music can mask imperfections in the master track (such as content recorded in an echoey room one minute and a carpet lined shoe-cupboard the next) that cannot easily be processed out. It provides an audible link between clips of a specific scene or group of scenes. It can support the creative narrative, emphasising intrigue, suspense, surprise, etc.
If it's done right, it shouldn't jar or annoy you. You should know it's there but not be bothered by it. If it does bother you or jars you, the chances are that it's been done wrong, the music is wrong or that your hearing is sensitive to certain tones that end up dominating what you hear. Nine times out of ten, it will be the first of these.
There's the wonder of PH! Always someone who not only has the expertise to properly answer a question, but takes the time to do so, thanks! 🙂To start with, background music should be just that; you know it's there but it shouldn't be the dominant audio. The problem is that everyone hears things slightly differently. Someone editing a video may think it's absolutely fine and to them, it is. But to others, it's not. Technology can address this to a degree but you need to know how to use that tech for it to work well and few people truly understand 'sound'.
You also have a huge amount of video being produced by keen ammeters or have-a-go-pros. It's a curse that affects all aspects of the Creative Profession... download an app and everyone believes they're a designer, photographer or film editor. Because there's no quality control on what goes on the internet, all manner of crap get's published masquerading as professionally produced material. Sound is the most obvious example of where this applies, - the editing, engineering and music choice.
If I have a job with sufficient budget. I'll sub-out the audio engineering part as it's the one part of the process I struggle with. Sound engineering is a highly undervalued profession.... which is why it's also expensive which explains why it's an under-used resource.
I could go on about the degradation in audio quality of the devices we listen to and watch but that would lead us down a very geeky path.
As to why it's there.... 99% of the time, it would sound strange without. Background music can mask imperfections in the master track (such as content recorded in an echoey room one minute and a carpet lined shoe-cupboard the next) that cannot easily be processed out. It provides an audible link between clips of a specific scene or group of scenes. It can support the creative narrative, emphasising intrigue, suspense, surprise, etc.
If it's done right, it shouldn't jar or annoy you. You should know it's there but not be bothered by it. If it does bother you or jars you, the chances are that it's been done wrong, the music is wrong or that your hearing is sensitive to certain tones that end up dominating what you hear. Nine times out of ten, it will be the first of these.
Timothy Bucktu said:
If it's very very subtle in the background, it can be fine...but it usually isn't and it's almost always incredibly annoying. It's like YouTube videos that would otherwise be very useful, are ruined and unwatchable due to the music.
Indeed. There's an Irish podcaster who pays great attention to his sound, and the background music.I love it - a 'warm hug', which is how Blindboy describes his approach.
https://play.acast.com/s/blindboy/the-devils-bedfr...
totally agree with the degradation of reproduction quality - I presume to reduce storage/bandwidth? It's quite grim, but on the other hand when you finally sit down with something decent in front of you it's a nice reminder.
The really weird one in the US is music and advertise in from gas pumps. That really pisses me off and I immediately go back and sit in the car.
The really weird one in the US is music and advertise in from gas pumps. That really pisses me off and I immediately go back and sit in the car.
ShortBeardy said:
totally agree with the degradation of reproduction quality - I presume to reduce storage/bandwidth? It's quite grim, but on the other hand when you finally sit down with something decent in front of you it's a nice reminder.
Pretty much. If you rip a track from a physical CD you'll have a file of 40mb or so. The same track downloaded from iTunes or wherever will be around 3mb. Some of that is down to compression but an awful lot of information isn't there. This is parts of the track that you feel more than you hear - the higher and lower notes. Producers now take this into account when mixing tracks and there's no end of tools and tricks that can be used to mimic a 'bigger' sound but it's just that - a mimic.
This all flatters what is mostly lower quality audio equipment which can be the speakers on your computer, headphones, sound bar and the like. And because this is so variable, when it comes to adding tracks to video, what sounds great on one device can end sounding awful on another.
Back to the OP.....
The other issue I thought of last night is that many editors often use tracks that they like rather than tracks that fit the film.
When I'm search for background music, I tend to look first at the waveform as this tells me whether it's going to be suitable or not. For example, without even listening, I know that this track would not be good as a background track:
There's too much variation in tone and volume. Wheres this track might be worth a listen:
With that one, I know that I can vary the volume during the parts of the film where there's no dialogue without having to contend with variable pitches, beats and the like, which is source of much of the annoyance described by the OP.
StevieBee said:
Kermit power said:
Is there anyone who works in this sector who could explain why it's there?
Just finished a batch of videos today for a Public Sector client destined for Social Media. I'm afraid to report that they do indeed contain the sort of music you describe. I'll try and make the explanation as less nerdy as I can.To start with, background music should be just that; you know it's there but it shouldn't be the dominant audio. The problem is that everyone hears things slightly differently. Someone editing a video may think it's absolutely fine and to them, it is. But to others, it's not. Technology can address this to a degree but you need to know how to use that tech for it to work well and few people truly understand 'sound'.
You also have a huge amount of video being produced by keen ammeters or have-a-go-pros. It's a curse that affects all aspects of the Creative Profession... download an app and everyone believes they're a designer, photographer or film editor. Because there's no quality control on what goes on the internet, all manner of crap get's published masquerading as professionally produced material. Sound is the most obvious example of where this applies, - the editing, engineering and music choice.
If I have a job with sufficient budget. I'll sub-out the audio engineering part as it's the one part of the process I struggle with. Sound engineering is a highly undervalued profession.... which is why it's also expensive which explains why it's an under-used resource.
I could go on about the degradation in audio quality of the devices we listen to and watch but that would lead us down a very geeky path.
As to why it's there.... 99% of the time, it would sound strange without. Background music can mask imperfections in the master track (such as content recorded in an echoey room one minute and a carpet lined shoe-cupboard the next) that cannot easily be processed out. It provides an audible link between clips of a specific scene or group of scenes. It can support the creative narrative, emphasising intrigue, suspense, surprise, etc.
If it's done right, it shouldn't jar or annoy you. You should know it's there but not be bothered by it. If it does bother you or jars you, the chances are that it's been done wrong, the music is wrong or that your hearing is sensitive to certain tones that end up dominating what you hear. Nine times out of ten, it will be the first of these.
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