Movie trailers often use a variety of sound effects (SFX) to enhance the impact of the visuals and create an emotional response in the audience.
Here are some common SFX components used in movie trailers:
- Risers: A riser is a type of SFX that creates a rising tension or anticipation effect. It’s often used to build up to a big moment or reveal in the trailer.
- Zingers: A zinger is a sudden, sharp sound effect that’s used to emphasize a moment or create a startling effect. It can be used for comedic effect or to add intensity to an action scene.
- Booms: A boom is a deep, low-frequency sound effect that’s often used to create a sense of impact or weight. It can be used for explosions, crashes, or other intense moments.
- Whooshes: A whoosh is a fast-moving sound effect that’s often used to create a sense of movement or speed. It’s commonly used in action scenes or to transition between shots.
- Impacts: An impact is a sound effect that’s used to create a sense of force or power. It’s often used for punches, kicks, or other physical impacts.
- Stingers: A stinger is a short, sharp sound effect that’s used to punctuate a moment or emphasize a transition. It can be used for comedic effect or to create a sense of tension.
- Hits: A hit is a sound effect that’s used to create a sense of impact or collision. It’s often used for fight scenes or car crashes.
- Drones: A drone is a sustained sound effect that’s used to create a sense of tension or unease. It can be used for horror or suspenseful moments.
- Swells: A swell is a gradual increase in volume or intensity that’s used to create a sense of grandeur or build up to a big moment.
- Reverse cymbals: A reverse cymbal is a cymbal sound effect that’s played in reverse to create a backwards-sounding effect. It’s often used to create a sense of disorientation or transition between scenes.
- Braams: A braam is a deep, rumbling sound effect that’s often used to create a sense of impending danger or threat. It’s commonly used in action or thriller trailers.
- Pulsing bass: A pulsing bass is a low-frequency sound effect that’s often used to create a sense of energy or urgency. It’s commonly used in action or sci-fi trailers.
- Screeches: A screech is a high-pitched sound effect that’s used to create a sense of danger or tension. It’s often used for horror or suspenseful moments.
- Chimes: A chime is a gentle sound effect that’s used to create a sense of magic or wonder. It’s often used for fantasy or adventure trailers.
- Glitches: A glitch is a sound effect that’s used to create a sense of distortion or digital malfunction. It’s commonly used in sci-fi or futuristic trailers.
- Risers with impacts: A riser with impact is a combination of a riser and an impact sound effect. It’s often used to create a sense of anticipation followed by a big moment or reveal.
- Synth hits: A synth hit is a sharp, electronic sound effect that’s often used to create a futuristic or sci-fi atmosphere. It can be used to emphasize a moment or create a sense of impact.
- Metallic impacts: A metallic impact is a sound effect that’s used to create a sense of metal-on-metal collision or impact. It’s often used in action or sci-fi trailers.
- Reverse impacts: A reverse impact is a sound effect that’s played in reverse to create a unique and unusual effect. It can be used to create a sense of disorientation or to emphasize a moment.
- Sub drops: A sub drop is a low-frequency sound effect that’s often used to create a sense of impact or weight. It’s commonly used in action or horror trailers.
These SFX components are just a few examples of the many different types of SFX used in movie trailers. The combination of these components can create a unique and memorable sound design that complements the visuals and enhances the emotional impact of the trailer. Each component can be used to create a specific effect or emotion in the audience, and skilled sound designers can combine them in creative ways to make a trailer stand out.
SUBSCRIPTION SOURCES
There are many websites that offer audio samples of sound effects used in movie trailers. Here are a few options:
- Soundsnap: Soundsnap is a website that offers a wide variety of sound effects, including many commonly used in movie trailers. You can search for specific effects or browse categories such as risers, impacts, and drones.
- AudioJungle: AudioJungle is a marketplace for royalty-free music and sound effects. They have a section specifically for cinematic sound effects, which includes many of the components commonly used in movie trailers.
- The Hollywood Edge: The Hollywood Edge is a sound effects library that specializes in sound effects for film and television. They offer a variety of packages that include many of the components commonly used in movie trailers, such as risers, impacts, and drones.
- Sonniss: Sonniss is a sound effects library that offers a curated selection of high-quality sound effects for film, television, and video games. They have a specific category for trailer sound effects, which includes many of the components commonly used in movie trailers.
- Pro Sound Effects: Pro Sound Effects is a sound effects library that offers a wide variety of high-quality sound effects for film, television, and video games. They have a specific category for trailer sound effects, which includes many of the components commonly used in movie trailers.
Here are links to the subscription-based sound effects libraries mentioned above:
- Soundsnap: https://www.soundsnap.com/
- AudioJungle: https://audiojungle.net/
- The Hollywood Edge: https://www.hollywoodedge.com/
- Sonniss: https://sonniss.com/
- Pro Sound Effects: https://www.prosoundeffects.com/
Note that subscription-based sound effects libraries typically require a monthly or annual fee in exchange for access to their sound effects. However, they usually offer a wider range of high-quality sound effects and may have more lenient licensing terms than free or open-source options.
These are just a few examples of websites where you can find audio samples of sound effects commonly used in movie trailers. It’s important to make sure you have the necessary licenses or permissions to use any sound effects in your own projects.
FREE SOURCES
There are several websites where you can find free or open-source sound effects for trailers. Here are a few options:
- Freesound: Freesound is a collaborative database of creative commons licensed sounds. It has a wide variety of sound effects that can be used for free in your projects, including many components commonly used in movie trailers.
- OpenGameArt: OpenGameArt is a website that offers a wide variety of free and open-source game assets, including sound effects. You can browse their sound effects library and search for specific components commonly used in movie trailers.
- SoundBible: SoundBible is a website that offers a wide variety of free sound effects that can be used in your projects, including many components commonly used in movie trailers. They have a specific category for trailer sound effects.
- Partners in Rhyme: Partners in Rhyme is a website that offers a variety of free sound effects, including many components commonly used in movie trailers. They have a specific category for cinematic sound effects.
- YouTube Audio Library: The YouTube Audio Library offers a variety of free sound effects that can be used in your projects. You can search for specific components commonly used in movie trailers, such as risers, impacts, and drones.
These are just a few examples of websites where you can find free or open-source sound effects for trailers. It’s important to check the licensing requirements for any sound effects you use to ensure that you are using them legally in your projects.
Here are the links to the websites I mentioned earlier where you can find free or open-source sound effects for trailers:
- Freesound: https://freesound.org/
- OpenGameArt: https://opengameart.org/
- SoundBible: http://soundbible.com/
- Partners in Rhyme: https://www.partnersinrhyme.com/
- YouTube Audio Library: https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/
Note that while many of the sound effects on these websites are available for free, some may require attribution or have specific usage requirements. Be sure to read the license agreement for each sound effect to ensure that you are using it in compliance with the terms.
