Despite the earliest days of cinema often being referred to as the “silent era”, sound effects—and even soundtracks—have always been a part of the film experience.
From live orchestra accompaniments to player pianos timed out to correspond with the early moving pictures, early film presentations found many unique ways to add sound and music to the experience.
And as such, sound effects have a long and storied history in film and video. So much so that if you’re looking to create any type of video content these days and you’re not using sound effects, your audiences and viewers are going to notice.
For no genre of film and video is this more apparent than with sci-fi concepts. To help give you inspiration, history, and resources for your own sci-fi content projects, let’s go over some of the best sci-fi sound effects for your videos that pay homage to the iconic Star Wars sound effects and other science fiction classics.
Classic sci-fi sound effects in film history
While we’re obviously going to focus on sound effects for films and video content, the true history of sound effects can be traced directly back to the earliest days of radio. The term “sound effect” itself can be found for the first time in 1931 in an article that explored the innovative techniques of creating unique sounds to help tell these radio stories.
Sound effects officially made their way into film and cinemas once sound was introduced to the filmmaking process, and the rise of “talkies” found new ways to include dialogue, music, and sound effects.
However, as is the case with many first-time filmmakers and content creators, sound effects weren’t used to their full potential until many years later, when creative filmmakers found new and innovative ways to incorporate sound effects into their projects to create bold new sonic landscapes and more immersive experiences.
The iconic Star Wars sound effects
These days, music and sound effects are integral parts of not just films, but also television and all other types of content and media. In fact, with iconic movies like Star Wars, the sound effects themselves are so recognizable that they’re used in everything from toys to amusement park rides.
Focusing on the Star Wars franchise in particular, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt composed some of the most famous sound effects in modern history, including the original lightsaber sound and other iconic Star Wars sound effects.
And while we’re going to share some of our favorite sound effects that could be great options for your sci-fi films and video projects, it’s important to recognize that sound effects are something that you can create in the real world as well.
Burtt, for example, was able to compose the iconic lightsaber hum from running a film projector and combining the sound with a broken television set. That distinct lightsaber sound became an instant auditory signature of the Star Wars universe. He also created the famous Star Wars blaster noise by recording a guy wire on a radio tower being hit with a hammer.
Best sci-fi sound effects for your videos
With all that being said, for many filmmakers, producers, and content creators, the best—and most efficient way—to use sound effects in your projects is to license them from music and sound effect websites like Soundstripe.
These royalty free science fiction sound effects are fully licensable and safe to use for commercial and corporate projects, as well as safe to use across all social media platforms, including YouTube. If you’re using music or sound effects that you haven’t licensed, you're liable to have your videos flagged or even face possible copyright infringement takedowns.
To keep you in the clear and provide you with some high-quality royalty free sci-fi sound effects for your projects and videos, check out these hand-picked selections below.
Description: Medium power up, thick zapping synth impacts, and rise.
2. Electric Spark Sound Effect
Description: Large electric spark with heavy buzzing.
3. Fluctuating Glitch Sound Effect
Description: Fluctuating glitch of a futuristic computer/machine.
Description: Metallic click sound of some futuristic device.
5. Mechanical Rattle Glitch Sound Effect
Description: Mechanical clicking/rattle sound of some futuristic device.
6. Digital Metal Sputter Sound Effect
Description: Digital and metallic clicking/rattle sound of some futuristic device with sputter effect.
7. Device Shut Down Sound Effect
Description: Futuristic device shutting down. Decreasing pitch.
Description: Synth whoosh and electric buzz.
Description: Sci-fi power-down, synth, and whoosh elements.
Description: Sci-fi scanner running.
These are just a few top options. We have thousands more sound effects for all genres and styles in the complete Soundstripe library.
The best sci-fi music tracks to use in your videos
Along with sound effects, the musical soundtrack for your sci-fi projects is just as important. And, in all honesty, if you’re looking to license sound effects for your videos, you’re probably going to want to use music that is of the same quality and style as well.
To help you on your sci-fi filmmaking journey, let’s review some top sci-fi soundtrack options to consider adding to your videos.
- Description: A low-energy, score song that is best described as hopeful and calm. Synth and strings are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 100
- Key: C Minor
- Listen and license here
2. Collapse Into Obscurity by Dr. Delight
- Description: A low-energy, electronic song that is best described as chill and suspenseful. Bass and bass guitar are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 140
- Key: A Minor
- Listen and license here
3. Retribution by Wicked Cinema
- Description: A medium-energy score song that is best described as scary and suspenseful. Drums and big drums are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 133
- Key: C Minor
- Listen and license here
4. Abandoned Places by Material Gurl
- Description: A very low-energy, electronic song that is best described as suspenseful and calm. Ambient tones and synth are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 130
- Key: Bb/A# Major
- Listen and license here
- Description: A medium-energy, electronic song that is best described as inspiring and hopeful. Synth and bass are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 129
- Key: Db/C# Major
- Listen and license here
Sci-fi SFX playlists and additional resources
We also have more playlists and resources to help you in this sci-fi genre. Check out these additional playlists to find more sci-fi songs and sound effects for your films and other projects.
Description: Sci-fi sound elements such as lasers and mechanical inventions. Warp speed!
Description: Digital alerts and pings that would make R2 beep with joy.
Description: Is it deja vu, or is it a glitch? Definitely a glitch.
Description: A mix of airy, buzzing, & low tones guaranteed to create the perfect amount of space and tension for your project
Description: Cinematic sound effects, pre-arranged into powerful sequences, you can cut your footage to
You can also explore more sound effect playlists and royalty free music tracks for your sci-fi projects on the Soundstripe app.
For more tips and resources for working with sound effects and on different genre films and videos, check out these additional articles from the Soundstripe blog below.
- The Basics of Film Editing (and How to Edit a Movie)
- What is Room Tone Audio? Plus 10 Royalty Free Room Tone Downloads for Polished Video Soundtracks
- How to License Music for Video Games + 5 Songs for Epic Game Soundtracks
- Best Film Editing: The 10 Best Edited Films of All Time
- Editing The SXSW Sci-Fi Rom-Com Standout ‘Max and Molli in the Future’
