As a video editor, you will no doubt be fully aware of the benefits that a good piece of music or some top-quality sound effects can add to a video’s production. Indeed, all you need to do to test this is to watch one of your favorite edits with the sound turned off to see how wooden and lifeless a video can suddenly become without the atmosphere created by the audio.
Finding the right sound effects for a particular video can be one of the trickiest parts of the whole video editing process. Not only do you have to find samples that sound right with your video, but you also have to check that copyright and licensing laws permit you to use them in your production. Fortunately, a new range of specialist media companies now exists which are capable of providing high-end sound effects that it is often impossible to produce at home with your own sampling equipment. In this article, we take a look at the three best Sound FX libraries out there this year!
1. FirstCom
With an expansive sound library of over 270,000 separate audio effects, the clear winner on this list is the fantastic service provided by media company FirstCom. All of this is offered via an easy-to-use portal with first-rate search capabilities, making it simple to find the perfect sound effects for your productions. FirstCom uses royalty-free effects which are recorded using the highest resolution sample rates which are ideal for VR, gaming, and theatrical releases.
2. Boom Library
Boom is another great Sound FX library service that is used by some of the top video producers on the planet. The company has provided sound effects to some of the world’s best-loved video games as well as to a host of blockbuster movies. There is a range of products on offer, and most of them do not come cheap, but you certainly get more than you pay for. However, for those editors that are looking for a relatively limited set of themed sounds, Boom offers some excellent value packages. For example, you can find sets for skating sounds or sci-fi sounds.
3. Pro Sound Effects
Pro Sound Effects is another giant of the sound fx world. Offering a massive range of rich sounds in one of the most comprehensive sonic palettes anywhere, Pro Sound Effects is a tool that makes it simple and easy to edit the sound on your videos so that they create maximum impact. Customers who invest in the Master Library will have access to the same set of sounds as designers from some of the most reputable video production outfits, including EA, Disney, Activision. Warner Bros, Google, and many, many more.
By choosing any of the products listed above, you will suddenly find that your video editing skills reach the next level. Stop suffering with your limited sound library of homemade samples – there simply is no substitute for the sheer range of sounds and peace of mind regarding copyright regulations!
