Jingle or sonic logo?
A jingle is a short song, often with words, used in ads. A sonic logo is a few notes, usually under three seconds, that plays with a visual logo. Both need to be recognisable after a single hearing.
Principles
- Short. Sonic logos are often one to three seconds; jingles 5 to 30 seconds.
- Simple. Three to five notes are easier to remember than a long melody.
- Rhythmic. A distinctive rhythm is recognisable even when instruments change.
- Ends clearly. Finish on a stable note, usually the home note of the key, so it feels complete.
- Fits the brand. Instrument and tempo should reflect your brand words.
Generate options
Ask for several short versions and compare them:
- "2-second sonic logo, four bright marimba notes rising, ends on a held chord"
- "3-second sonic logo, warm piano and soft synth swell, calm and trustworthy"
- "15-second jingle, upbeat ukulele and claps, simple four-note hook repeated twice"
Test it
Play each option alongside your logo animation. Then play it on a phone speaker, through laptop speakers and quietly in the background. A good sonic logo stays recognisable in all three.
Use it consistently
Once chosen, use the same motif at the end of every video and ad, and work it into longer tracks as a motif.
Common mistakes
- Too many notes. If it takes longer than the logo animation, it is a melody, not a logo.
- Following a trend. A sound that copies this year’s popular style will date quickly.
- No quiet version. Make a softer variation for calm content so you are not tempted to drop the logo altogether.
Written by the Sonvela editorial team with AI drafting assistance, then checked against the sources linked in the text. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.