ZEISS Brand Portal
ZEISS Brand Portal
SoundAdvanced use

This page is intended for users who want more flexibility in shaping sound in their videos. Below you will find information on:

  • Additional music blocks

  • Compatibility

  • Contrast

  • Transitions

Additional music blocks

Organic

  • Create space and stay in the background

  • Used when clarity and focus are required, such as in interviews or dialogue-driven scenes

  • Feature ambient textures, SFX-based tracks, or subtle noise layers

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Open version 2
Leading
Precise
Inspiring
Responsible

Electronic

  • Draw attention, create energy, and drive progression

  • Used to highlight movement, transitions, or key moments

  • Feature rhythmic structures, melodies, and more active musical movement

Open
Leading
Precise
Inspiring
Responsible
Compatibility
  • When combining different tracks, tempo and harmony must be compatible.

  • Align BPM and tonal structure to ensure smooth transitions and a coherent listening experience.

  • Avoid music that feels too distant or stylistically disconnected from ZEISS such as metal, folk, or country.

  • If possible, align the tonal framework with the audio logo in F major to maintain consistency.

Contrast

Contrast plays a key role in on-brand communications. Contrasts in sound should always reinforce what is happening on screen.

  • In brand-driven formats like image films, contrasts can be stronger and occur more frequently.

  • In more narrative or dialogue-heavy formats such as documentaries or tutorials, use softer contrasts and reduce their frequency.

  • Ensure that sound is always aligned with visual changes: Faster cuts allow for greater contrast, while slower formats require more restraint.

  • Only introduce contrast when there is a clear shift in the image or scene, such as with a change in instrumentation, playing style, dynamics, or frequency range.

  • If the visual remains consistent, avoid contrasting sounds.

  • Do not use contrasts excessively, as this can create a sense of restlessness or feel inconsistent.

Dos
Let visuals define contrasts.
Control intensity and frequency of contrasts.
Create real contrast, not a continuous track.
Create contrast between sound and image.
Contrast in your own compositions

If you are composing your own music, use instrumentation, dynamics, and timbre to create contrast. Instrumentation

  • Contrast emerges from functional roles: pads create stable, atmospheric space, while drums, bass, and leads introduce rhythm, movement, and focus.

  • Paying close attention to frequency and articulation ensures clarity and definition.

Dynamics

  • Contrast is driven by energy.

  • Atmospheric layers remain sustained and reduced, while dynamic elements add rhythm, density, and progression.

  • Controlled transitions guide the viewer.

Timbre

  • Contrast is defined by sound character: organic timbres bring variation and warmth, electronic timbres provide precision and clarity.

  • The interplay of organic and electronic timbres creates a clear sonic identity and tension.

Transitions
  • Transition sound effects support visual changes such as cuts, fades, and text reveals. Sound should always match visual transitions.

  • A sound effect can also support strong visual action, such as a zoom.

  • If the visual is subtle or continuous, use softer transitions or crossfades instead.

  • Hard cuts in the image should be reflected by clear sonic cuts.

  • Do not use additional transition sound effects if they do not fit the content of your video. Here, less is more.

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Gradual transition
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Crossfade
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Hard cut
Examples
Visual transitions
Text reveals
Do you have questions?

Corporate Brand, Communications & Public Affairs

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