3 Best Websites for Free Sound Effects

Part 1. Why Are Sound Effects Important?

Every film or video content has a unique story to tell. Unfortunately, visual markings and graphical indicators are insufficient to deliver its message very well. That’s why audible cues are also prioritized and put in place. Sound effects and background music help the audience understand the presentation more clearly. But that’s not it. There are many other reasons why using sound effects is important in video creation. Find out from the list below why you should use free sound effects.

It deepens the audience’s understanding.

The message of the presentation appears logical and realistic when the viewers understand it in a much deeper sense. Therefore, adequate background sound effects must be present throughout the duration of the video. It’s the best way to give the audience a sensible viewing experience.

It denotes crucial emphasis.

Some scenes or sections in the video presentation must be emphasized to the viewer. It can be the flashback or climax part that carries an important message. One way to highlight such significant segments is by adding distinctive sound effects. Choose some audio clips you haven’t used yet in the previous part of the video. That’s the best trick to denote emphasis effectively without going too loud and obvious.

It aids in smooth transitions.

Video content is often divided into several sections. However, you should ensure that these divided parts are still connected to each other throughout the video. Don’t worry. You can easily do that with the help of sound effects and background music. Use audio arrangements that perfectly fit the given scenes to avoid unwanted inconsistencies.

Part 2. Different Types of Sound Effects

Each video content has its own requirements when it comes to sound effects and background music. It highly depends on the type of video you’re planning to create and the scenes you want to portray. But don’t sweat it. There are many different types of sound effects you can find online and use for your projects. Listed below are the most common among them.

Vehicle Sound Effects

We often encounter driving scenes in films and other video presentations. But did you know that most of the vehicle sounds are not actually real? Yes, it is. The screeching tires, high-speed driving sounds, and engine noises are difficult to capture from the scene. That’s why they are replaced with downloadable vehicle sound effects during post-production.

Explosion Sound Effects

It’s difficult to manufacture a lifelike explosion sound from a fake blast scene. Therefore, an explosion sound effect is often added during post-production. The blow-up sound effect generally turns up the volume and creates depth. Hence, the scenes look more natural from the perspective of the viewers.

Static Sound Effects

In simple language, static sound effects are just random noises. It can be an unidentified interference or a provoking distortion. But hold your horses. Don’t jump to a conclusion just yet. Static sound effects are important audible cues used to give prominence to significant parts of the videos.

Sci-Fi Sound Effects

Most films and video content nowadays delve into topics related to future and out-of-this-world possibilities. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that science fiction sound effects are being used most of the time. They are often attached to scenes that depict space travel, robotic domination, and extraterrestrial invasion.

User-Interface Sound Effects

Smartphones, computers, mobile applications, and other modern materials always appear in video content nowadays. Well, why not? We’re currently living in today’s digital world. That’s why we normally hear user-interface sound effects like ringtones and notification alerts from movies and other visual presentations.

Part 3. Tips on How to Choose Great Sound Effects

Just because they are free sound effects doesn’t mean they are perfect for your needs. You should still check these audio resources and evaluate if it suits your preference. Here are some tips to consider when selecting from free sound effects catalogues.

Set an objective.

You will not find the right music and sound effects for your video presentation if you don’t know its main purpose. Thus, set an objective first before looking for free sound effects online. List down the specific types of audio simulations you want to achieve and their corresponding functions in the video.

Take genre and style into consideration.

Assess the scenes in the video very well. Match them to specific music genres and styles that fit perfectly to the ideas they are trying to portray. It’s the best way to ensure the entire video is synchronized visually and audibly.

Don’t depend on the volume.

Don’t assume that the effectiveness of sound effects relies on their volumes. It’s really not. A subtle sound effect can still be effective even without being too loud. The keys to a beautiful sound effects arrangement in video content are correct placement, right timing, and controlled intensity.

Choose royalty-free sound effects.

Opt for royalty-free sound effects if your projects do not require direct licensing. It will help you save time and allow you to focus on other tasks that matter more. Therefore, don’t spend too much time working on the complex procedures of direct licensing if other alternatives are available.

Part 4. Where to Find Free Sound Effects Online?

As previously mentioned, take time to find and select free sound effects for your videos. Never settle for less just because it’s cheap or free. Coordinate only with websites or resources that are legal and legitimate to save yourself the hassle. Below is the list of websites where you can safely find and download free sound effects.

Pixabay

Pixabay is among the most popular creatives-sharing community on the internet. You can find here a lot of royalty-free resources you can use for your projects. Aside from sound effects, this platform also offers other free materials such as images, illustrations, music, and videos. Amazing, right? To help you get started, below is a quick tutorial on downloading them in easy steps.

• Step 1: Go to the official website of Pixabay. Signing in is not required as of writing.

• Step 2: Type in the specific kind of sound effects you want to download from the platform. Right after, hit Enter on your keyboard to proceed.

• Step 3: Click the Play button to review the audio. Right after, click Download to save the chosen track on your computer.

Mixkit

Another website you can visit to download free background sound effects is Mixkit. This platform is home to millions of creative assets you can use for various projects. On top of that, all the resources you can find here are legitimate. Why? Simply because Mixkit is affiliated with Envato Elements, a world-renowned creative company. Check out the tutorial below on downloading free sound effects using Mixkit.

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Mixkit.

• Step 2: Search for the sound effects you want to download. Click the Search button or the Suggestions to proceed. Alternatively, choose a category below the search bar.

• Step 3: Click the Play button to review the audio. Right after, click the Download button to save the chosen track on your computer.

ZapSlat

Last on the list is ZapSlat. It’s one of the oldest and most authentic creative sources you can find online. It offers thousands of high-quality sound effects and music that anyone can download for free. Here’s a short guide on how to download free sound effects using ZapSlat.

• Step 1: Visit the official website of ZapSlat. Right after, sign in or create an account.

• Step 2: Type in the specific type of sound effects you want to use and then click the Search button. Alternatively, click the All Categories drop-down menu to browse from its sound effect collections.

• Step 3: Click the Play button to review the audio. Right after, click MP3 to access the download link and then click Download MP3. If you wish to download the sound effects in WAV format, you need to avail its Gold Member subscription.

Conclusion

Music and sound effects are vital in filmmaking and video production. Therefore, keep in mind the abovementioned discussions to help you find free sound effects online. Don’t settle for less. Download background sound effects that are free but of high quality. Refer to the tips mentioned earlier and take it to your own advantage.