Tonmontage

Tonmontage, literally "sound montage," is a term used in film theory and sound design to describe the planning, editing, and synchronization of all audible elements with moving images. It encompasses dialogue, music, ambient noise, sound effects, and any other audio track components that accompany the image track. The aim is to shape rhythm, mood, and narrative meaning by arranging sound in relation to the image montage.

Historically, Tonmontage emerged with the advent of synchronized sound in cinema and has been a focal point in German-speaking film theory. The concept addresses how sound interacts with image to produce meaning, and has been discussed in relation to early sound practice as well as later developments in post-production, multichannel formats, and digital editing. It complements the techniques of visual montage by treating sound as a constructive element in storytelling and spatial perception.

Key concepts and techniques within Tonmontage include the distinction between diegetic and non-diegetic sound, synchronous and asynchronous sound, and the use of sound bridges and off-screen sound to connect scenes. Techniques such as overlapping dialogue, rhythmic alignment of audio with image cuts, musical motifs, and careful layering of effects contribute to pacing and emotional impact. Spatialization and depth, through stereo or surround formats, further influence how audiences perceive space and action.

See also: Sound design, Audio post-production, Diegetic sound, Non-diegetic sound, Sound bridge, Music in film.