Audio Testing: How to make sure your sounds hit the right note
December 20, 2024
Sound
Sound is one of the most powerful tools in a designer’s toolkit for communicating with users. Unlike any other medium, audio has the unique ability to subconsciously convey important information. It can alert a user to fluctuations in stock prices, signal the arrival of a message from a loved one, notify them that their food is ready, or even remind them to stand up and move. From the sound of a doorbell ringing to the cheer of a sports team scoring, audio plays a crucial role in keeping users connected and informed.
Yet, one crucial step in ensuring that these sounds communicate the intended information correctly to users is undergoing thorough audio testing. In this blog, we’ll take you through why testing your audio is crucial, the different types of tests you can use, and the best times and methods to make sure every sound you create hits just the right note.
Why do audio testing?
1. Peace of Mind
Sound and music are highly subjective mediums. What resonates with one person may not have the same impact on another. While sound designers and composers are aware of trends that can be studied and quantified, it’s impossible to know if a sound will be objectively perfect for every user or scenario. This is where audio testing comes in—it introduces a quantifiable level of objectivity into what is otherwise a highly subjective field. By testing audio in real-world contexts, designers can validate their choices and make data-driven decisions, giving them peace of mind that their sounds are likely to hit the right note with a wide range of users.
2. Verifying Assumptions
What seems “perfect” to you might not land well with your users. As designers, we often spend a lot of time making assumptions about what the end user likes and wants in an experience. We base these decisions on trends, previous projects, or our own preferences. However, at the end of the day, we can’t know for certain how the majority of our target audience will respond to the experience we’ve designed. Audio testing allows us to test these assumptions, providing real-world feedback that helps us understand whether the sounds we’ve chosen align with user preferences.
Types of audio testing
1. Functionality
The sound you create should tell the user what it’s for, even if they’re across the room or in a noisy space. A good notification sound, for example, doesn’t just grab your attention – it communicates its purpose without requiring users to look at their device. Functionality testing ensures every sound has clear intent and works seamlessly in real-world scenarios.
2. Brand Fit
While it is essential that users understand each sound on a functional level, another critical aspect is whether the user connects with the sound on an emotional level. Does it align with the brand’s identity? Is it sleek and modern, or calm and trustworthy? Testing for brand fit ensures the sound reflects the brand’s values and resonates with users emotionally. As emotional beings, we all understand the power of sound and music to evoke feelings. When the right audio aligns with a brand, it not only reinforces the brand’s identity but also creates a deeper connection with users.Over time, this connection can build loyalty and even evoke nostalgia, making the sound potentially the most emotionally resonant facet of the brand experience.
When to test your audio
1. Strategic Stage
This is where you lay the groundwork. It allows you to test at an earlier stage, pre-market, preventing you from following the wrong path and ultimately losing time. Testing at this conceptual stage ensures your audio choices align with your overall strategy and user needs.
2. During Production
During production, mid-testing helps you see how sounds work within the user experience. This allows you to test alternative versions and helps you identify and fix any issues before the final launch.
3. Customer Feedback
After the product is live, post-market testing helps you understand how your audio performs in real-world settings. It’s your chance to learn, adapt to changing market conditions, and make improvements for future updates.
Audio Testing Methodology
1. Data Collection
Start by gathering feedback. Whether it’s through surveys, focus groups, or usability sessions, collect insights to understand how users experience your sounds.
2. Measuring Data
- Does the audio evoke the feelings you intended?
- Is the sound memorable enough to stick with users?
- Does the audio clearly connect back to your brand?
- Does the sound clearly communicate its function?
3. Benchmarking
Compare your audio against industry standards or competitors. Benchmarking shows where you stand and how you can differentiate your brand.
The Takeaway
By testing your audio, you eliminate biases and allow your audio to be shaped by the honest feedback of real users. This process ensures that your final product not only sounds great but also delivers a seamless user experience – one that emotionally engages users on a deeper level. In the long run, this creates a memorable experience, building brand loyalty.