Podcastools
Technical/Audio

What is Jingle?

A jingle is a short, catchy musical phrase or sound effect used to identify a podcast segment, transition between topics, or brand the show.

Why Jingle Matters for Podcasters

Jingles are the 'audio punctuation' of a podcast. While a theme song sets the mood for the whole show, shorter jingles (often called 'bumpers' or 'stings') are used to signal transitions. For example, a news podcast might have a specific 'breaking news' sound effect, or a comedy show might have a quirky musical riff before a recurring segment. Jingles help orient the listener; when they hear the sound, they know exactly what is coming next without the host having to explain it. They are essential for breaking up long monologues and keeping the 'ear' interested by changing the sonic texture.

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