1 Why use sound effects and music?

Sound effects and music can be used in a technical presentation to grab attention, reinforce key points, provide transitions, create a mood, and add humor and personality. However, it is important to have a clear reason and goal for using sound effects and music that align with your topic, tone, and audience. Using sound effects and music for the sake of it or to cover up weak content or delivery is not recommended.

2 How to choose sound effects and music?

When selecting sound effects and music for your presentation, it is essential to consider the context and audience. Ask yourself what the purpose and message of the presentation is, who your audience is, and what tone and style you are aiming for. Additionally, consider the setting and format of your presentation. This will help you narrow down your options and choose sound effects and music that are appropriate for the occasion. For instance, if you are presenting a serious and technical topic to a professional audience, you should avoid loud or flashy sounds that may be too distracting. Conversely, if you are presenting a creative topic to a casual audience, you may want to opt for fun and catchy music.

3 How to apply sound effects and music?

When using sound effects and music in your presentation, it is important to apply them strategically and sparingly. Make sure they add value and meaning, and are used at key moments or transitions. Additionally, the sound effects and music should be clear and audible, but not too loud or intrusive. Furthermore, they should be consistent and coherent with your presentation theme, message, and tone. It's also best to use original and unique sounds that are not too obscure or unfamiliar. Lastly, you should test the sound effects and music before your presentation to ensure they work well with your slides, voice, and equipment.

4 Examples of sound effects and music

When creating technical presentations, sound effects and music can provide some inspiration. For example, if you are presenting data analysis, clicks, beeps, or charts could emphasize specific data points or trends, while ambient or electronic music could create a futuristic or analytical mood. If you are presenting product design, swooshes, pops, or snaps could demonstrate features or benefits of your product, and upbeat or acoustic music could create a lively or friendly mood. For a presentation on innovation, bells, whistles, or fireworks might highlight breakthroughs or achievements, and inspirational or classical music could create a motivational or elegant mood. Of course, these are just some suggestions; you can always experiment to find sound effects and music that best suit your presentation.

5 Resources for sound effects and music

If you are looking for sound effects and music for your presentation, there are many online sources available, such as Free Sound, YouTube Audio Library, Bensound, and SoundBible. It is important to always check the license and attribution requirements of the sound effects and music that you use, and to respect the copyright and ownership of the creators. Incorporating sound effects and music into your technical presentation can make it more engaging, memorable, and persuasive. By following the tips and examples in this article, you can choose sound effects and music that match your purpose, message, and audience.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?