This is a large list of pro sound recordists, and sound designers, who offer free sound effects for download on their websites. When pro audio people release audio libraries, they sometimes also release free samples.

If you’re just getting started in film, theatre, or the game industry, such resources can be invaluable when padding out your sound effects collection.

Disclaimer: Whilst all the websites on the list should allow commercial use of their free sound effects, it is ultimately your responsibility to check the license on each website, and library that you download, in order to make sure that you can use them in your projects. I accept no responsibility for any misuse of the files.

PS: If you’d like me to add your free sounds to the list, change your website description, or remove it all together, feel free to get in touch.

With all that out of the way, let’s hop right in!

344 Audio

You can download their free sound effects libraries here, at the bottom of the page.

99 Sounds

Absolutely massive collection of free sound effects, contributed by sound designers all over the world. You can download their free sounds here.

Airborne Sound

Airborne Sound offers multiple high quality  sound effects libraries for free download. They can be downloaded in a few different formats, ranging from .mp3 to high quality .wav at 96kHz/24-bit.

You can download their free sounds here.

Airwiggles

Airwiggles is a social media platform for people who work/are interested in audio, and they have a section where members offer free sound effects, for people to use. You can find the page here.

AntiSample

AntiSample has two free libraries available. One is called One Shots, and the other is Bike Ride Adventures, which is offered as ‘pay what you want’. I would still recommend that you pay something for it, but there is nothing stopping you from paying $0.

Articulated Sounds

Articulated Sounds offers three free library packs. The Global Sampler Pack contains samples from all of their libraries, in addition to Mini Bells, and Free Water.

Asoundeffect.com

Joining the newsletter will get you some free sound effects, but ASFX occasionally holds sales and offers, where you might get bonus sounds with a purchase.

You can join the newsletter by clicking here.

Bend Audio

Whilst Bend Audio do not sell their own sound effects libraries, these free sounds are taken out of their personal recording sessions.

You can download their free sounds here.

BOOM

Subscribing to their newsletter will get you free sound effects every month. You can join their newsletter here.

Chris Procopiou

You can download their free sounds here.

Davide Defendi Sound

You can download their free sounds here.

Detunized

You can download their free sounds here.

Diginoiz

You can download their free sounds here.

Dynamic Interference

Dynamic Interference offers a free library from a trip to the Galapagos islands. The pack includes sounds such as that of a motor boat, frigate bird, blue footed booby, large billed flycatcher, mockingbird, and a giant tortoise!

You can download their free sounds here.

Eiravaein

A free library, composed of 12 selected sounds from each of their full libraries, as a sampler and sound design booster for anyone who needs it. You can download their free sounds here.

Epic Stock Media

You can download their free sounds here.

Fox Audio

Fox Audio Post-Production was founded in May 2015. The company releases royalty-free, high-quality SFX libraries (for games, TV, movies, trailers, radio…) and provides services like mixing, audio restoration, field recording, creative and interactive sound design.

They offer thtrr free libraries titled Quadcopter Drone, Jaguar, and Household.

Francesco Ameglio Sound

You can download their free sounds here.

Free To Use Sounds

Marcel and Libby, the people behind Free to Use Sounds, offer a large range of sound effects on their website. You can download their free sounds here.

Frick & Traa

Frick & Traa create high quality sound libraries for sound professionals that aim to immerse their audience in unique sound effects that fill the gap in any media production, whether linear or interactive.

All libraries are thoroughly described with metadata and delivered in the highest possible sound quality.

The ‘City Bicycles – Free Sample’ Package is a preview of their excellent ‘City Bicycles’ library, filled with characterful bicycle recordings You can download their free sample library here.

Gain Walkers

You can download their free sounds here.

GlitchMachines

You can download their free sounds here.

Gregor Quendel

You can download their free sounds here.

If a Tree Falls

If a Tree Falls focuses on recording unique and diverse sound effects and delivering these to sound artists and creatives to inspire creativity and sonic exploration.

You can download their free sound effects in their blog section.

MatiasMac.SD

MatiasMac.SD offers two free libraries called ‘Beeps’, and ‘Impacts’. You can download the free sounds here.

Mindful Audio

George Vlad has offered holiday freebies over the past few years. You can download the ones from 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Music for Video

Music for Video offer a collection of over 2000 cinematic sound effects, which you can download here.

NIMLOS’ SOUND

Nimlos’ Sound offers Henhouse, and Old Soviet Radio SFX.

Noise Creations

Noise Creations offers two free libraries, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

Norsonant

You can download their free sounds here.

Ogsoundfx.com

You can download their free sounds here.

Phonophilist

Phonophilist offers a battle horns library for free. You can download it here.

Pro Sound Effects

They offer the PSE Micro library for free. You get 290 sound effects worth $49.

Red Libraries

Red Libraries offers five freebie packs. You can access them here: Pack 1, Pack 2, Pack 3, Pack 4, and Pack 5.

Rocksure Soundz

You can download their free sounds here.

Shaping Waves

You can download their free sounds here.

SilverPlatter Audio

Silver Platter Audio offer a free sampler library on their website. You can download it here.

SKYES Audio

SKYES Audio (that’s me) offers samples from some of their libraries. You can check them out here.

Studio 734

Studio 734 offer a micro SFX library, which you can download in the description of this video.

Smackheads.com

You can download their free sounds here.

Sonniss

For the past few years, Sonniss has offered free samples at GDC. You can view and download the following years: 2016. 2017, 2018, and 2019.

SoundBits

SoundBits offers a few free sound libraries, which can be viewed and downloaded here.

Soundchicksfx.com

Sound Chick SFX regularly adds new free sounds to her website. You can have a look here.

Sound Ex Machina

They offer Lite versions of almost all of our libraries. In order to receive them, you just need to subscribe to their newsletter here.

Soundofessen.com

They offer free audio funded by the City of Essen. You can download their free sounds here.

Sound of Italy

You can download their free sounds here.

Soundopolis

They offer three SFX packs. You can listen to, and download them here: Pack 1, Pack 2, and Pack 3.

Takoma Media

You can download their free sounds here.

The Coil

You can download their free sounds here.

The Sound Pack Tree

You can download their free sounds here.

Thomas Rex Beverly

You can download their free sounds here.

Tovu Sound

You can download their free sounds here.

W.O.W Sound

You can download their free sounds here.

Zapsplat

Zapsplat.com is a resource dedicated to promoting and supporting indie sound effect creators, sound designers and libraries by offering small selections of their work, in exchange for quality exposure and promotion.

Zkry Music

You can download their free sounds here.

More Info

I invite you to have a look at some of my other articles. We have something for everyone, whether you’re interested in audio, or cameras and lenses. Alternatively, if you prefer video reviews, feel free to have a look at my YouTube channel.