Editing Laugh track (section)

{{Short description|Recorded laughter in broadcast comedy show}}
{{For|the 2016 album by Knocked Loose|Laugh Tracks (album)}}{{For|the 2023 album by The National|Laugh Track}}
{{multiple issues|
{{original research|date=May 2020|discuss=DLuK}}
{{essay|date=November 2024}}
}}
[[File:72843 lonemonk approx-800-laughter-only-1.wav|thumb|An example laugh track recorded in 2009]]
A '''laugh track''' (or '''laughter track''') is an audio recording consisting of laughter (and other audience reactions) usually used as a separate [[soundtrack]] for comedy productions. The laugh track may contain [[Studio audience|live audience]] reactions or artificial laughter ('''canned laughter''' or '''fake laughter''') made to be inserted into the show, or a combination of the two.  The use of canned laughter to "sweeten" the laugh track was pioneered by American sound engineer [[Charles Douglass|Charles "Charley" Douglass]].
[[File:Laugh and clapping waveform 1.png|thumb|A [[waveform]] of an audio track in Audacity with a fake laughter mixed with real studio audience applause which follows immediately after fake laugh]]
The Douglass laugh track became a standard in mainstream television in the U.S., dominating most prime-time [[sitcoms]] and [[sketch comedies]] from the late 1950s to the late 1970s. Use of the Douglass laughter decreased by the 1980s upon the development of [[Multichannel Television Sound|stereophonic]] laughter. In addition, [[Single-camera setup|single-camera]] sitcoms eliminated audiences altogether. Canned laughter is used to encourage the viewer to laugh.  {{TOC limit|2}}