Don’t you just hate it when you are watching a movie and the music is so loud that you have to turn it down only to discover that now you cannot hear what is being said?
Rest assured you are not the only person who battles with this frustrating issue, so if you are wondering why the music is so loud in movies continue reading.
Why Is Music So Loud In Movies?
1. Device Settings Need Adjusting
It can be annoying and sometimes painful when the music playing in the background of your movie unexpectedly erupts into your ears causing you to quickly turn the volume down.
Many times the music seems louder than the dialogue in a movie because the device you are using to watch the movie has settings that need to be adjusted.
Most televisions, DVD players, and other streaming devices’ default settings are not adjusted properly which can take away from the enjoyment you receive when watching the movie.
It is recommended that you access the settings menu on the device you are using and change the sound settings.
Menus will vary from one device to another but most newer devices have a “night-mode” setting or something equivalent that evens out the difference between music and dialogue.
2. Dynamic Range Is Needed For Theater-Like Experience
If you notice that the music is louder in movies than the dialogue it is because movies use a large dynamic range; this means that sound can be very loud or very soft.
Movies use a broader range of sound to accent and enhance certain parts of the movie where there is more action or drama.
When the sound producers use a larger dynamic range they can create a more dramatic experience for the viewer.
Dynamic range is great for when you are in a movie theater or if you have a quality surround system at home but not so great if you are simply using the television speakers.
3. Initial Sound Production
When movies are initially produced they are done so with the intent that they will be viewed in a theater or theater-like setting with the proper sound equipment.
When sound technicians are mixing the tracks they are using high-tech sound equipment that can create a broad dynamic range.
The way the sound is mixed in the studio gives you a feeling that you are in the movie rather than simply watching it.
4. Music Costs Money
One reason music can be so much louder in movies than the dialogue is simply that the producers paid to play a particular song or soundtrack.
It costs a lot of money to produce a major motion picture which is why many producers intentionally make the music louder.
They feel they need to get as much bang for their buck as possible, even if it means bursting our eardrums from time to time.
Loud music in a movie is just another form of advertising, it helps them sell the movie and helps the musicians by exposing their music to millions of people.
5. To Keep You Invested
If you want to get someone’s attention you are not going to whisper at them and expect them to respond; to capture a person’s focus you need to make noise.
This is exactly what movie producers are doing when they have loud music or background noises.
Producers like to use loud music to enhance important or dramatic parts of a movie, this is also a way for them to let you know a dramatic part may be coming up.
Movies with a lot of action tend to have louder music as well to keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what is coming next.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why movies are so bad now, why people like horror movies, and why people watch anime.
Loud Movie Music Not Always The Producer’s Fault
Although much of the sound can be controlled by the producers and technicians putting the movie together this article shows that there are ways to fix the issue if you are at home.
Oftentimes some simple corrections can be made in the settings menu of your device and the placement of speakers in your home for a more enjoyable listening experience.