What Is a Sting in Audio?

A sting is a short, sharp burst of music or sound, usually one to three seconds, used to punctuate a moment: a reveal, a scene change, a logo appearing on screen. Unlike a sonic logo, a sting need not carry melodic identity; its job is emphasis, drama or transition.

Sting in Practice

Television’s most famous sting is the Law and Order dun-dun, created by composer Mike Post for the show’s 1990 debut to punctuate scene changes and title cards. Two beats of sound became so identified with the franchise that they now function as its sonic trademark, instantly recognisable out of context. Marketers brief stings constantly without naming them: the hit when the price appears, the whoosh and thud when the logo lands, the accent under a key statistic. In a sonic identity system, stings are usually derived from the brand’s palette so that even split-second punctuation sounds on-brand. The craft lies in transient design: a sting must cut through a mix, land exactly on the frame, and never outstay its welcome.

Famous Example

The Law and Order dun-dun, composed by Mike Post.