Sound design: the invisible half of a good video

Sound is easy to ignore until it's bad. Muffled voices, music that drowns out speech or sudden volume jumps make even good-looking videos feel amateur. Good sound design, on the other hand, is something people feel without noticing.

The three layers of sound

• Voice: the message. It should always be clear and sit on top.
• Music: sets the mood and pace. It should support the voice, not fight it.
• Sound effects: small whooshes, clicks and hits that make motion feel real and draw attention to key moments.

Simple rules that make a big difference

• Keep music well below the voice so every word is clear.
• Cut visuals on the beat for a more polished feel.
• Use a strong sound at the end, under your logo or call to action.
• Make sure your audio is licensed for commercial use.
• Check loudness so your video isn't much quieter or louder than others in the feed.

Record better audio on a budget

For talking videos, a small clip-on microphone and a quiet room improve sound more than an expensive camera does. Avoid echoey spaces and switch off fans and air conditioners while recording.

Our sound design and voiceover work is about making your message easy to hear and hard to forget.