What is the fundamental definition of a soundtrack?

A soundtrack is defined as a recorded audio signal that accompanies and is synchronized with the images of a production, such as a film, television program, or video game. It can also refer to a commercially released album of music featured in such productions, or the physical area on a film that contains the synchronized recorded sound.

What does the image caption describe regarding film soundtracks?

The image caption describes a 16 mm film that visually displays a sound track located on the right side of the film strip. This visual representation highlights the physical medium where the audio information was stored.

What is a "dubbing track" or "M&E track" in film post-production?

A dubbing track, also known as an M&E (music and effects) track, is created after a film's initial release, typically when it's being dubbed into another language. This track contains all the audio elements except the dialogue, which is then supplied by the foreign distributor in the local language.

When did the term "soundtrack" gain wider public recognition, and why?

The contraction "soundtrack" became widely recognized in the late 1940s with the emergence of "soundtrack albums." Initially conceived as promotional tools by movie companies, these albums were marketed as "music from the original motion picture soundtrack," a phrase later shortened to "original motion picture soundtrack."

What is the distinction between a film's "music track" and its "composite track" when referring to soundtrack albums?

While the term "soundtrack album" might imply the entire composite track, these albums more accurately consist of isolated music from a film. The composite track includes dialogue and sound effects along with the music, whereas a music track focuses solely on the musical elements.

How does the term "Original Soundtrack (OST)" function in the context of music albums?

The term "Original Soundtrack (OST)" is often used for albums of soundtrack music to distinguish the original music heard in the production from rerecordings or cover versions. It can also function as a type of concept album centered around a unified theme from the production's story.

What was an early attempt to popularize the term "sound track"?

An early effort to popularize the term "sound track" appeared in the magazine *Photoplay* in 1929, defining it as the narrow band along the edge of a film where sound is recorded.

Does a technical dictionary from 1992 differentiate between "sound track" and "soundtrack"?

No, a 1992 technical dictionary entry from the *Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology* did not distinguish between the two forms, "sound track" and "soundtrack."

What are the primary types of soundtrack recordings mentioned in the text?

The text outlines several types of soundtrack recordings: musical film soundtracks (concentrating on songs), film scores (primarily instrumental themes), combined orchestral scores and pop songs, albums of popular songs used in the background, video game soundtracks, and albums containing both music and dialogue from a film.

What is characteristic of a musical film soundtrack compared to a film score album?

Musical film soundtracks are specifically for film versions of stage musicals and primarily focus on the songs performed within the film. In contrast, film score albums showcase the mainly instrumental musical themes and background music composed for movies.

What kind of music is typically found on a film score album?

Film score albums typically feature the primarily instrumental musical themes and background music composed for movies, as opposed to songs performed by characters or popular music used in the film.

How do soundtracks for movies with both orchestral scores and pop songs differ from those featuring only pop songs?

Soundtracks for movies with both orchestral scores and pop songs include both types of music. Soundtracks featuring only pop songs, however, consist of popular music heard in the background of non-musical movies, which may or may not have been specifically written for the film.

What elements are commonly included in a video game soundtrack album?

Video game soundtrack albums, often released after the game, usually contain the theme and background music from the game's levels, menus, title screens, promotional material, cut-scenes, and sometimes sound effects used within the game.

What distinguishes albums containing both music and dialogue from other soundtrack types?

Albums that contain both music and dialogue from a film are distinct because they aim to capture the spoken word alongside the musical score, offering a more complete auditory experience of specific scenes or the entire film's soundscape.

Which film is credited with having the first commercially issued film soundtrack, and when was it released?

The soundtrack to the 1937 Walt Disney animated film *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs* is recognized as the first commercially issued film soundtrack. It was released by RCA Victor Records in January 1938.

What was the first live-action musical film to have a commercially issued soundtrack album?

The first live-action musical film to have a commercially issued soundtrack album was MGM's 1946 film *Till the Clouds Roll By*, a biography of composer Jerome Kern.

What technical challenges were faced when creating the early soundtrack album for *Till the Clouds Roll By*?

Creating the early soundtrack album for *Till the Clouds Roll By* involved significant technical hurdles. Since tape recording was not yet common, producers had to copy segments from playback discs, repeatedly copying them from one disc to another, adding transitions and cross-fades. This process resulted in sound quality degradation due to multiple generations of copying.

Why were early soundtrack playback recordings often made "dry"?

Early playback recordings were often made "dry," meaning without reverberation, to prevent the sound from becoming too hollow when played in large movie theaters. This technique aimed to ensure the sound translated better in the intended exhibition environment.

How did MGM Records initially categorize soundtrack albums, and why?

MGM Records initially categorized soundtrack albums as "original cast albums," similar to Broadway cast albums. This was partly because the material on these discs often wouldn't synchronize precisely with the film, creating a distinction from "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" albums, which implied synchronization.

What is the ambiguity surrounding the terms "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (OMPS) and "Original Cast Soundtrack" (OCS)?

The distinction between OMPS and OCS is often ambiguous, as producers may label albums inconsistently. Music that locks to picture might be called OCS, while music that doesn't lock might be labeled OMPS, leading to confusion about the exact nature of the recordings.

How did the phrase "recorded directly from the soundtrack" function in the 1970s-1990s?

During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the phrase "recorded directly from the soundtrack" was used to differentiate recordings that could synchronize with the film from those that could not, excluding alternate takes or solos. However, this distinction eventually became less clear.

How has the term "soundtrack" evolved in common usage?

Over time, the term "soundtrack" has become broadly applied to any recording associated with a film, regardless of whether it's from the actual film audio or re-recorded in a studio. It is also sometimes used for Broadway cast recordings.

When did film score albums become widely popular?

Film score albums did not gain significant popularity until the LP (long-playing record) era, although a few were released earlier in 78-rpm album formats.

What was notable about Alex North's score for *A Streetcar Named Desire* in terms of its album release?

Alex North's score for the 1951 film *A Streetcar Named Desire* was released on an LP by Capitol Records and sold very well. The label later re-released it on a 12-inch LP, paired with music from Max Steiner's film scores.

How was Max Steiner's score for *Gone With the Wind* re-released?

Max Steiner's score for *Gone With the Wind* was re-released by MGM Records in 1967, recorded directly from the soundtrack and artificially enhanced for stereo. More recently, Rhino Records issued a 2-CD set of the complete score, restored to its original mono sound.

Which film score became one of the biggest-selling of all time?

John Williams' music from the movie *Star Wars* became one of the biggest-selling film scores of all time.

Why do many film score albums go out of print, and what does this mean for collectors?

Many film score albums go out of print after the films conclude their theatrical runs. This scarcity can make them rare and valuable collectors' items.

Can entire film dialogue tracks be issued on records, and what are some examples?

Yes, in a few rare instances, entire film dialogue tracks have been issued on records. Examples include the 4-LP set of Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film *Romeo and Juliet*, a 2-LP set of *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* containing virtually all the dialogue, and similar double-album sets for *A Man for All Seasons*, *Man of La Mancha*, and *The Hobbit*.

What was unique about the soundtrack release for *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*?

The soundtrack release for *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* by Warner Bros Records was notable for being a 2-LP set that contained almost all the dialogue from the film, offering listeners an extensive auditory experience of the movie's spoken content.

What typically happens when a blockbuster film or television series is released?

When a blockbuster film is released or a television series airs, an album in the form of a soundtrack is typically released alongside it.

What kind of music can be included in a soundtrack album, beyond the film's score?

Beyond the film's score, a soundtrack album can include songs performed by characters, cover versions re-recorded by popular artists, background music used in important scenes, songs featured in the closing credits, or even songs included purely for promotional purposes that are not heard in the film.

How are soundtrack albums treated in terms of commercial release and recognition?

Soundtrack albums are usually released by major record labels, just like albums by musical artists. The songs and the soundtracks themselves can chart on music charts and win musical awards, indicating their commercial and critical significance.

What is the conventional difference between a "soundtrack" record and a "score" record?

Conventionally, a "soundtrack" record can include music inspired by the film but not actually featured in it, whereas a "score" record contains only music composed by the film's original composers.

How can soundtracks be used for promotional purposes in contemporary media?

Soundtracks can be used promotionally by featuring recently released or exclusive original pop music selections. These tracks might not be heard in the film or series at all, but their inclusion can boost the visibility of well-known or emerging artists.

How might the genre of a film influence the type of popular music featured on its soundtrack?

The genre of the media can influence the soundtrack's popular music selections. For instance, a lighthearted romance might feature easy listening love songs, while a dark thriller might include hard rock or urban music.

Who composed the first music specifically for a motion picture, and when?

Camille Saint-Saëns composed the first music specifically for use in a motion picture, *L'assasinat du duc de Guise*, in 1908.

Who was one of the first composers to achieve a widespread hit with a song from a soundtrack?

Henry Mancini was one of the first composers to achieve a widespread hit with a song from a soundtrack, specifically for his score to *Peter Gunn*, for which he won an Emmy Award and two Grammys.

What was the typical content of soundtracks before the 1970s?

Before the 1970s, soundtracks, with a few exceptions like musicals, typically featured vocal and instrumental selections performed by cast members, or cover versions sung by other artists.

How did soundtracks change after the 1970s?

After the 1970s, soundtracks began to incorporate more diversity, and consumers started anticipating motion picture or television soundtracks. A majority of top-charting songs were often featured on or released with these soundtracks.

What is the current common reference for the term "soundtrack"?

In recent years, the term "soundtrack" has somewhat subsided in its broader usage. It now most commonly refers to instrumental background music used in media, while popular songs featured in a film or series are more often highlighted and referenced in the credits separately.

What area of psychology began investigating the impact of soundtracks in the late 1980s?

In the late 1980s, cognitive psychology and the psychology of music began investigating the impact that soundtracks exert on the interpretation of audiovisual stimuli.

What is the "Congruence-Association Model of music and multimedia"?

The Congruence-Association Model of music and multimedia is a framework developed by Canadian psychologist Annabel J. Cohen, based on her systematic studies of the relationship between music and moving images in the interpretation process.

How can film music influence a viewer's perception of characters and scenes?

Film music can significantly influence a viewer's perception by altering empathy towards characters, attributing specific emotions (like happiness or sadness), affecting the evaluation of scenic environments, shaping plot anticipations, and influencing moral judgments of characters.

What have eyetracking and pupillometry studies revealed about the effect of film music?

Eyetracking and pupillometry studies have shown that film music can influence gaze direction and pupil dilation, depending on the emotional valence and semantic information conveyed by the music.

How does film music affect time perception according to recent experiments?

Recent experiments suggest that film music can alter time perception. Activating and arousing soundtracks tend to lead to an overestimation of time, whereas more relaxing or sad music does not produce this effect.

In what way can soundtracks influence a viewer's memory of a film?

Soundtracks can shape the memory viewers form of a scene, potentially biasing their recall to align with the music's semantic content.

What was the evolution of music in video games from the 1980s onwards?

Initially, video games primarily used sound effects. Music became a more prominent feature later, with composers like Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway creating music for the Commodore 64 in the 1980s. As technology improved, polyphonic and orchestral soundtracks replaced monophonic melodies, and game soundtracks began to be released separately.

How did CD technology impact video game soundtracks?

The advent of CD technology allowed video game developers to incorporate licensed songs into soundtracks. It also enabled features like the Xbox's ability for users to customize game soundtracks by ripping CDs to the hard drive.

Who were some early influential composers of music specifically for video games?

Rob Hubbard and Martin Galway were early composers of music specifically for video games, notably for the Commodore 64 computer in the 1980s. Koji Kondo was also an important early composer for Nintendo games.

How are soundtracks used in theme parks?

In theme parks, soundtracks are often used to accompany performers, particularly those in costumes where faces might be obscured. These performers mime to prerecorded music, effects, and narration tracks, which can be dramatic or resemble movie audio.

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What is a Soundtrack?

Defining the Sound

A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal that accompanies and synchronizes with the visual elements of a production, such as a film, television program, or video game. It encompasses the dialogue, sound effects, and music that form the auditory landscape of a media experience.^[1]^[2]

The Industry Perspective

Within the film industry, a soundtrack refers to any audio recording created or utilized during film production or post-production. Initially, distinct tracks for dialogue, sound effects, and music were mixed into a composite track. Later developments included "dubbing tracks" or M&E (music and effects) tracks, which omit dialogue for international distribution.^[1]

Commercial Release and Evolution

The term "soundtrack" also colloquially refers to a commercially released album of music featured in a film or other media. The contraction "soundtrack" gained prominence with the release of soundtrack albums in the late 1940s, initially as promotional tools, often featuring music from the film's "music track" rather than the full composite track.^[7]

Types of Recordings

Musical Film Soundtracks

These soundtracks are specifically for film adaptations of stage musicals, focusing primarily on the songs performed by the characters. They capture the essence of the musical numbers within the cinematic context.
(Examples: Grease, Evita)

Film Scores

Showcasing the instrumental musical themes and background compositions that underscore a film's narrative and emotional arc. These are often original works by composers specifically created for the movie.
(Examples: Blade Runner, Star Wars series)^[8]

Mixed Media Soundtracks

Soundtracks that blend both orchestral film scores and popular songs. This approach is common in films that feature a rich tapestry of musical styles, integrating original compositions with licensed tracks.
(Examples: Shrek series, Back to the Future series)

Popular Song Soundtracks

Albums featuring popular songs heard in the background of non-musical films. These tracks are often licensed and contribute significantly to the film's atmosphere and thematic resonance.
(Examples: Top Gun, The Bodyguard)

Video Game Soundtracks

These soundtracks typically include theme music, background scores from game levels, menus, and promotional material. They often capture the unique interactive and thematic elements of the gaming experience.
(Examples: Final Fantasy VII, Red Dead Redemption 2)

Dialogue and Music Albums

Recordings that incorporate both music and dialogue from the film. These albums aim to provide a more comprehensive auditory experience, often including key spoken scenes alongside the musical score.
(Examples: Reservoir Dogs, A Star Is Born (2018))

Terminology Nuances

Original Soundtrack (OST)

The term "Original Soundtrack (OST)" is frequently used for albums of soundtrack music. It can differentiate original music from rerecordings or cover versions, functioning as a concept album tied to a narrative.^[7]

Ambiguity in Labeling

Historically, there has been ambiguity in labeling. "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (OMPS) might contain studio re-recordings, while "Original Cast Soundtrack" (OCS) might refer to studio recordings by the original cast, edited or rearranged. The distinction between music that "locks to picture" (synchronizes precisely) and that which does not has often been blurred.^[10]

Evolving Definitions

The term "soundtrack" has evolved to commonly refer to any recording from a film, whether from the actual soundtrack or re-recorded in a studio. This includes Broadway cast recordings and even music "inspired by" a film but not featured in it, leading to a broad interpretation of the term.^[10]

Film & Television Soundtracks

Early Innovations

The soundtrack to Disney's 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first commercially issued film soundtrack, released by RCA Victor Records. The first live-action musical film with a commercially issued soundtrack album was MGM's 1946 Till the Clouds Roll By.^[9] These early releases required significant editing and manipulation due to the limitations of recording technology at the time.

Commercial Success

John Williams' score for Star Wars became one of the biggest-selling film scores of all time. Soundtracks often achieve chart success and win awards, mirroring the impact of popular music artists.^[12] However, many film scores go out of print, becoming rare collector's items.

Modern Trends

While soundtracks historically featured instrumental scores and cast performances, post-1970s trends saw increased diversity. In recent years, the term "soundtrack" often refers primarily to instrumental background music, with popular songs featured in films being highlighted separately in credits rather than as part of a formal soundtrack album.

Psychology of Soundtracks

Cognitive Impact

Research in cognitive psychology and music psychology explores how soundtracks influence the interpretation of audiovisual stimuli. Studies, such as Annabel J. Cohen's work, suggest that music significantly impacts viewer empathy, attributed emotions, evaluation of scenes, and even moral judgments of characters.^[13]^[18]

Visual and Temporal Perception

Soundtracks can alter visual attention and time perception. Eyetracking and pupillometry studies indicate that music influences gaze direction and pupil dilation. Activating music can lead to an overestimation of time, while more relaxing music may have a different effect.^[17]^[21]

Memory and Emotion

Film music profoundly shapes memory recall of scenes, biasing viewers' memories to align with the music's semantic content. This suggests soundtracks play a critical role not only in immediate emotional response but also in long-term cognitive processing and memory formation.^[22]^[23]

Video Game Soundtracks

Evolution of Game Audio

Early video games relied on simple monophonic melodies. Composers like Rob Hubbard and Koji Kondo pioneered more complex, polyphonic, and orchestral soundtracks as technology advanced, transforming game audio into an integral part of the player experience.^[25]

CD Technology and Licensing

The advent of CD technology allowed for the incorporation of licensed popular songs into games, as seen in the Grand Theft Auto series. Microsoft's Xbox even enabled players to rip CDs to the hard drive for custom soundtracks.^[25]

Release and Recognition

Soundtracks for popular games like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy began to be released separately, gaining recognition akin to film soundtracks. These releases often feature theme music, background scores, and even licensed tracks, contributing to the game's overall artistic merit.

Event & Themed Soundtracks

Theme Parks & Cruise Ships

Theme parks and cruise ships often utilize custom soundtracks for shows and attractions. These can involve actors miming to pre-recorded tracks or using isolated vocal performances accompanied by live musicians, creating immersive experiences.^[29]

Special Events

Large public gatherings like concerts (e.g., Live Aid, Greenpeace events) or anniversary celebrations often feature specially composed music, effects, and dialogue. These event soundtracks are sometimes released commercially, capturing the unique atmosphere of the occasion.^[29]

Book Soundtracks

Dedicated Compositions

While less common, some books have had entire soundtracks composed specifically for them. Examples include "Kaladin" for Brandon Sanderson's novel, funded via Kickstarter, and a soundtrack for Kristen Britain's "Green Rider" series.^[25]^[26]

Sci-Fi and Fantasy

The science fiction and fantasy genres have seen unique soundtrack projects. Joel McNeely composed a score for the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire novel, and projects like "Sine Fiction" offer free downloadable soundtracks for various sci-fi novels.^[27] L. Ron Hubbard also released soundtracks for his novels, such as Battlefield Earth.

Digital Integration

More recently, soundtracks for books have been integrated digitally, with QR codes linking to music or theme songs accessible online. This approach connects the literary experience with an auditory dimension in innovative ways.

Related Concepts

Core Concepts

Explore related areas such as Film Scores, which focus solely on instrumental music, and Soundtrack Albums, the commercial releases derived from media. Understanding Audio Restoration is also key to preserving historical soundtracks.

Performance and Production

Concepts like Cast Recordings for musicals, Image Songs in Japanese media, and the role of Film Crews in production are integral to the creation and dissemination of soundtracks.

Industry and Media

The broader Film Industry, Media Franchises, and the evolution of Digital Distribution all shape how soundtracks are created, consumed, and valued.

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References

Savage, Mark. "Where Are the New Movie Themes?" BBC, 28 July 2008

Marvel Comics News: Next Wave: "And to prove it, we've created the band Thunder Thighs and commissioned a Theme Song worthy of these champions!"

A full list of references for this article are available at the Soundtrack Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional advice regarding music composition, audio engineering, film production, or media licensing. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific needs related to these fields.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Symphony of the Screen

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is a Soundtrack? ℹ️

🔊 Defining the Sound

🎬 The Industry Perspective

🎶 Commercial Release and Evolution

Types of Recordings 🗂️

🎭 Musical Film Soundtracks

🎻 Film Scores

🎵 Mixed Media Soundtracks

📻 Popular Song Soundtracks

🎮 Video Game Soundtracks

🗣️ Dialogue and Music Albums

Terminology Nuances 🧐

📜 Original Soundtrack (OST)

↔️ Ambiguity in Labeling

🔄 Evolving Definitions

Film & Television Soundtracks 📺

✨ Early Innovations

📈 Commercial Success

🎵 Modern Trends

Psychology of Soundtracks 🧠

💡 Cognitive Impact

👁️ Visual and Temporal Perception

💾 Memory and Emotion

Video Game Soundtracks 🎮

🕹️ Evolution of Game Audio

💿 CD Technology and Licensing

🎼 Release and Recognition

Event & Themed Soundtracks 🎪

🎢 Theme Parks & Cruise Ships

📢 Special Events

Book Soundtracks 📚

📖 Dedicated Compositions

🌌 Sci-Fi and Fantasy

🔗 Digital Integration

Related Concepts 🔗

🎶 Core Concepts

🎭 Performance and Production

🌐 Industry and Media

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is a Soundtrack?

Defining the Sound

The Industry Perspective

Commercial Release and Evolution

Types of Recordings

Musical Film Soundtracks

Film Scores

Mixed Media Soundtracks

Popular Song Soundtracks

Video Game Soundtracks

Dialogue and Music Albums

Terminology Nuances

Original Soundtrack (OST)

Ambiguity in Labeling

Evolving Definitions

Film & Television Soundtracks

Early Innovations

Commercial Success

Modern Trends

Psychology of Soundtracks

Cognitive Impact

Visual and Temporal Perception

Memory and Emotion

Video Game Soundtracks

Evolution of Game Audio

CD Technology and Licensing

Release and Recognition

Event & Themed Soundtracks

Theme Parks & Cruise Ships

Special Events

Book Soundtracks

Dedicated Compositions

Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Digital Integration

Related Concepts

Core Concepts

Performance and Production

Industry and Media

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice