noisesoften

Noisesoften is a term used in sound art and contemporary music to describe the deliberate integration of irregular, non-tonal, or environmental noises into composed or improvised material to enhance texture and timbre. The word appears in online discussions and DIY practice from the 2010s, but it has no formal definition or widespread standard usage.

In practice, noisesoften encompasses techniques such as layering field recordings, using circuit-bent or contact-based electronics, granular synthesis of noise textures, filtering and resonator effects, and probabilistic or generative sequencing to produce evolving sonic landscapes. It emphasizes texture and atmosphere over conventional melody or rhythm, often prioritizing organic or emergent sonic qualities.

Contexts for noisesoften include ambient, experimental, glitch, and industrial music, as well as film and game sound design where irregular noise textures contribute to atmosphere, unease, or realism. Practitioners may pursue a wide range of outcomes, from tranquil, radiophonic textures to dense, abrasive panels of sound.

Reception of the term is mixed. Because it is informal and loosely defined, some critics view it as a flexible shorthand for a broad workflow rather than a specific genre. Proponents argue that it captures a shared practice of using noise as musical material to shape timbre, space, and emotional impact.

See also: Noise music; field recording; sound design; granular synthesis.