Creative tools

Writing better sound effect prompts

Sound effect prompts work best when they describe what the audience should hear, where it happens, and how it changes over time. Use simple language for simple sounds, and add timing or texture when the cue needs more shape.

Single effects

For one-shot effects, describe the object, action, material, and space. Keep it concise unless the sound has multiple parts.

Heavy wooden door creaks open once in a quiet hallway, close perspective, dry and realistic.

"Glass shattering on concrete, sharp and close"
"Old camera shutter click in a small room"
"Distant thunder rumble over open countryside"

Ambient effects

For ambient cues, describe the environment and whether it should loop smoothly. Ambient sounds usually work best as steady textures without a dramatic beginning or ending.

Seamless loop of soft rain against apartment windows, distant traffic below, calm night atmosphere, no thunder.

"Busy restaurant ambience, low chatter, plates, no music"
"Forest at night, insects, light wind, distant owl"
"Hospital corridor room tone, fluorescent hum, far footsteps"

Describe sequences clearly

If the cue has multiple actions, write them in order. Words like "then," "followed by," and "ending with" help the model understand the timeline.

Footsteps on wet pavement approach from far away, then keys jingle close to the microphone, followed by a metal door unlocking.

Add perspective and realism

Perspective changes the result. Say whether the sound is close, distant, muffled, outside the room, underwater, on a phone, or heard through a wall.

Muffled party music and laughter heard through an apartment wall, distant bass thump, late night, realistic room tone.

Useful sound design words

Impact: a hit, crash, slam, thud, or collision.
Whoosh: fast movement through air, useful for transitions and passing objects.
Ambience: background sound that establishes a place.
One-shot: a single effect that does not repeat.
Loop: a repeatable texture with no obvious start or end.
Drone: a continuous tone or texture for tension.
Glitch: digital malfunction, jitter, stutter, or broken electronics.
Braam: a large cinematic brass-like hit for trailers or dramatic reveals.

Prompt patterns

Foley action

Leather jacket being picked up from a wooden chair, fabric creak, small buckle jingle, close microphone, realistic Foley.

Comedy beat

Tiny awkward squeak from a cheap office chair, short and dry, no room echo.

Horror atmosphere

Seamless basement ambience, low electrical hum, distant pipe knocks, subtle air movement, tense but quiet.

Stage cue

Offstage door slam from stage right, medium distance, wooden theatre set, followed by a brief silence.