Generating Sound Effects
Create custom sound effects using ElevenLabs AI.
Creating Sound Effects
- Click "Generate SFX" in the timeline
- Describe the sound you want
- Set the duration (up to 22 seconds)
- Click "Generate"
Writing SFX Descriptions
Be specific and descriptive:
Good examples:
- "Heavy wooden door creaking open slowly in an old mansion"
- "Thunder rumbling in the distance, building to a loud crack"
- "Footsteps on gravel, walking pace, getting closer"
- "Sci-fi spaceship engine humming and powering up"
Less effective:
- "Door sound" (too vague)
- "Thunder" (no detail)
- "Footsteps" (what surface? speed?)
SFX Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Wind, rain, crowd noise, traffic |
| Impact | Explosions, crashes, punches |
| Mechanical | Doors, machines, vehicles |
| Nature | Animals, weather, water |
| Sci-fi | Lasers, teleportation, computers |
| Horror | Creaks, whispers, heartbeats |
Layering SFX
For rich soundscapes, layer multiple sounds:
- Background ambient (continuous)
- Mid-ground environmental
- Foreground specific sounds
Example for a forest scene:
- Layer 1: Continuous forest ambience
- Layer 2: Occasional bird calls
- Layer 3: Footsteps in leaves (synced to action)
Duration Tips
- Match to visual action when possible
- Ambient sounds can be longer (loop them)
- Impact sounds are usually short (1-3 sec)
- Leave room for natural decay/reverb