3 Easy Ways To Add Sound Effects To Premiere Pro [2024]

How To Add Sound Effects To Adobe Premiere Pro

It's often overlooked by newbies, but as someone who's been doing this since 2017, let me emphasize the significance of integrating sound effects seamlessly into your video projects. Sound effects are not just mere additions; they are pivotal in enhancing the narrative, setting the mood, and elevating the overall viewer experience. Whether it's the subtle rustling of leaves, the eerie echo in a haunted house, or the bustling sounds of a city, these auditory elements breathe life into your visuals.

In the sections that follow, we'll explore:

• The straightforward method of dragging sound effects directly onto your timeline, a technique I've used countless times for quick edits.
• The utilization of the Media Browser, a tool within Premiere Pro that offers a more organized approach, especially when dealing with a multitude of sound files.
• The art of sourcing sound effects from external libraries, ensuring you have a diverse palette of sounds to choose from.

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Where To Get SFX From?

If you go onto google and search up "SFX for ___" followed by whatever sound effect you're looking for, they'll be plenty of results available for royalty free use.

If you're looking for more unique and professionally recorded sounds. Try Epidemic Sound or Artlist. If you're on a budget and looking for a more all-round solution. Envato Elements would be your most ideal option.

Epidemic Sound

If you're aiming for a more professional touch and unique soundscapes, Epidemic Sound is a fantastic platform. I've used it multiple times , especially when I'm looking for high-quality, professionally recorded sounds. The platform boasts a vast library of tracks and sound effects, curated by professionals. Whether you're looking for ambient sounds, Foley, or specific effects, Epidemic Sound has got you covered. They operate on a subscription model, so for a monthly or yearly fee (after a 7-day trial), you get access to their entire library.

Artlist

Another platform that I've found invaluable is Artlist. It's not just about sound effects; they offer a wide range of music tracks as well. What sets Artlist apart is its licensing model. Once you subscribe, you can use any track or sound effect in any project, be it personal, commercial, or anything in between. This universal licensing model is a boon for creators, especially if you're working on diverse projects. The sounds are unique, and the quality is top-notch, making it a favorite among many professional video editors.

Envato Elements

For those who are conscious about budget but don't want to compromise on quality, Envato Elements is the go-to platform. It's an all-in-one solution, offering not just sound effects but also video templates, graphics, photos, and more. I've often turned to Envato Elements when I needed a comprehensive solution for my projects. Their library is vast, and the best part is, with a single subscription, you get access to everything. It's cost-effective, especially if you're a creator who needs diverse resources.

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3 Ways To Add SFX To Your Timeline - Step By Step Tutorial

Dragging Sound Effects Directly into the Timeline

When you're working in Premiere Pro, one of the simplest ways to add sound effects to your project is by directly dragging them into your timeline. Here's how I usually do it:

1. Locating Your Sound Effects: First, ensure you've saved your desired sound effects in a specific folder on your computer. For instance, I have a folder named "Premiere Sound Effects" on my desktop where I keep all my favorite sound effects.

1. Accessing Premiere Pro: Open up your Premiere Pro. You should already have a project open, given that you're familiar with the basics. On your workspace, you'll see a timeline at the bottom - this is where all the magic happens.
2. Adding the Sound Effect: Navigate to the folder where you've stored your sound effects. Click on the sound effect you want to use, then drag it with your mouse or trackpad. As you drag, move to the Premiere Pro window and hover over the timeline. Release the mouse or trackpad button to drop the sound effect onto the timeline. For example, when I added a "door creaking" sound effect, I simply dragged it from my folder and placed it exactly where I wanted the door sound to appear in my video sequence.

Using the Media Browser for Sound Effects

Another method I often use, especially when I have a plethora of sound effects, is the Media Browser in Premiere Pro. It's a handy tool that allows you to navigate through your computer's folders directly within Premiere Pro.

1. Setting Up Your Sound Effects: Just like before, ensure your sound effects are in a specific folder. Let's say I'm working on a horror project, and I have a folder named "Horror Sounds" filled with eerie effects.
2. Locating the Media Browser: In your Premiere Pro workspace, on the bottom left, you'll find a panel named "Media Browser." If you can't see it, go to the top menu, click on "Window," and ensure "Media Browser" is checked.
3. Browsing for Your Sound Effects: Within the Media Browser, navigate to your sound effects folder. For my horror project, I'd go to "Horror Sounds." Once there, you'll see a list of all the sound effects in that folder.
4. Importing the Sound Effect: Find the sound effect you want to use, say, "ghostly whisper." Double-click on it, or right-click and select “import.” The sound effect will then appear in the Project panel, which is typically located to the left of your timeline.
5. Placing the Sound Effect on Your Timeline: Now, click on the imported sound effect in the Project panel, drag it, and then drop it onto your timeline where you want it to play. In my case, I'd place the "ghostly whisper" sound effect right where the ghostly apparition appears in my video.

Sourcing Sound Effects from Libraries

Premiere Pro doesn't come with its own sound effects, so you'll need external sources. Adobe has its libraries, but there are numerous other platforms online where you can get quality sound effects.

1. Finding a Sound Library: There are many online libraries, both free and paid. I often use platforms like Epidemic Sound effects in specific folders, as it makes the editing process smoother. For a project on nature, I might have a folder named "Nature Sounds" with effects like "rushing water" or "birdsong."
2. Importing into Premiere Pro: With your sound effects downloaded and organized, you can use either of the methods mentioned above (direct dragging or the Media Browser) to add them to your project.

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Cool Tricks I Use For Better Sound Effects In Premiere Pro

Syncing Sound Effects with Transitions

Transitions aren't just visual; they can be auditory as well. When you add a visual transition between two clips, consider adding a sound effect to enhance the transition's impact. For instance:

• Slide or Whip Transitions: Use a "whoosh" or "swish" sound. As I slide between two scenes in my project, I ensure the peak of the "whoosh" sound aligns perfectly with the transition's midpoint. This creates a seamless blend of visual and auditory cues.

Utilizing the Equalizer (EQ)

The Equalizer (EQ) in Premiere Pro is a powerful tool to shape and enhance your sound effects:

• Cut Unwanted Frequencies: Sometimes, a sound effect might have unnecessary low hums or high-pitched noises. Using the EQ, I often cut out the low-end (below 60Hz) and the extreme high-end (above 16kHz) to make the sound effect cleaner.
• Enhance Specific Tones: If you want to emphasize a particular tone in your sound effect, like making footsteps sound heavier, boost the lower mid frequencies.

Integrating with Third-Party DAWs like FL Studio

For those who want custom sounds, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like FL Studio can be a game-changer:

• Create Custom Sounds: Instead of relying on stock sound effects, I sometimes use FL Studio to craft a unique sound tailored to my project. For instance, for a sci-fi project, I might design a futuristic door chime.
• Export and Import: Once you've crafted your sound in FL Studio, export it as a high-quality WAV or MP3 file. Then, you can easily import this file into Premiere Pro and use it as you would any other sound effect.

Layering Sound Effects

Layering is the art of combining multiple sound effects to create a richer auditory experience:

• Depth and Complexity: Instead of using a single "car crash" sound effect, I might layer the sounds of screeching tires, breaking glass, and metal crunching. This creates a more realistic and impactful sound.
• Volume Balancing: When layering, ensure that one sound doesn't overpower the others. Adjust the volume levels of each layer so they blend harmoniously.

Additional Tips:

• Reverb and Echo: Use these effects sparingly to give depth to certain sounds, especially in large spaces or caverns in your video.
• Pitch Shifting: Altering the pitch of a sound effect can make it fit better with your video's mood. A lower pitch can make things sound larger or more ominous, while a higher pitch can lighten the mood.
• Temporal Adjustments: Don't be afraid to stretch or compress the duration of a sound effect to sync it perfectly with your visuals.