The power of sound

Sound may be an integral part of our lives, but we tend to forget its effects on us. Yet some people have studied it and use it. Particularly in marketing, where thinking heads have understood that a short or long tune can literally lead a person to consume or love a brand.

Even today, many people still have fond memories of the little notes at the start-up of Windows 95, or immediately have images when they hear those associated with the SNCF. In the 1980s, Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer decided to change the style of voice used to announce trains. We went from a railwayman to a soft female voice evoking the journey.

As sound critic and researcher Juliette Volcler reminds us, the question of sound has greatly evolved since the beginning of the twentieth century. Today, much of people's audio universe is highly personal. This is reflected in headphones of all kinds, personalized playlists and so on.

The issue of noise pollution is more topical than ever, and highlights the disparities in this area. Wealthy households can go to isolated, quiet places, while others have to put up with the noise of the city, the neighborhood, etc. on a daily basis.

What if we harmonized the sounds of our environments to make them more bearable? The researcher gives the example of the sound of brakes on rails in a railway station, which suddenly took on a less aggressive tone, with a saxophone player adapting his playing to these sounds.

Running time: 23min11