The analysis of sound within context is very complex. It requires an interdisciplinary approach in several fields: physical, architectural, psychological and physiological acoustics, and environmental sociology. The concept of “sound effect” involves concrete links between various forms of data. Sound effect can be defined by three major characteristics. (1) It is not the product of a cause, but rather the product of the relationship between the signal and the context (i.e., Doppler effect). Thus its definition necessitates a recognition of the physical signs in question and of the conditions of propagation and sound perception. (2) It involves a modal or instrumental logic. (3) It permits a general discourse about sound, but requires examples related to a particular situation. The concept of sound effect serves as a tool to uncover information about sound. It allows the researchers to put the sound phenomena in a wider perspective. [Work supported by Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, France.]