Sound effects

Overview

ElevenLabs sound effects API turns text descriptions into high-quality sound effects with precise control over timing, style and complexity. The model understands both natural language and audio terminology, enabling you to:

• Generate cinematic sound design for films & trailers
• Create custom sound effects for games & interactive media
• Produce Foley and ambient sounds for video content

Listen to an example:

Usage

Sound effects are generated using text descriptions & optional parameters:

• Model: Choose the model that generates the sound effect

  • eleven_text_to_sound_v2: The default model
  • eleven_text_to_sound_v3 (SFX v3): Follows multi-part prompts more closely and handles vocal and musical sounds better. See SFX v3

• Duration: Set a specific length for the generated audio (in seconds)

  • Default: Automatically determined based on the prompt
  • Range: 0.1 to 30 seconds
  • Cost: 40 credits per second when duration is specified

• Looping: Enable seamless looping for sound effects longer than 30 seconds

  • Creates sound effects that can be played on repeat without perceptible start/end points
  • Perfect for atmospheric sounds, ambient textures, and background elements
  • Example: Generate 30s of ‘soft rain’ then loop it endlessly for atmosphere in audiobooks, films, games

• Prompt influence: Control how strictly the model follows the prompt

  • High: More literal interpretation of the prompt
  • Low: More creative interpretation with added variations

SFX v3

SFX v3 is our newest sound effects model. Compared with eleven_text_to_sound_v2, it follows prompts that contain several instructions more closely, handles prompts with music or vocals better, sounds more natural, and is less likely to clip on high-frequency sounds such as chimes and whistles. Results vary by prompt, so compare both models on your own prompts.

SFX v3 is available in the API and in ElevenCreative, in Sound Effects, Flows and Studio. In the API, set model_id to eleven_text_to_sound_v3.

When prompting SFX v3, describe the action, setting, atmosphere and performance you want rather than a broad sound category:

• “Rain against a window in a quiet apartment”
• “Footsteps on gravel approaching slowly”
• “Football crowd cheering, hearing a ball drop, crowd booing”

Wording affects results. For example, “a couple arguing in French” produced better results than “a couple fighting in French”. Prompts that ask for an exact number of repetitions, such as “triangle hit 4 times”, are not always followed.

Learn more about SFX v3 on the models page.

Prompting guide

Simple effects

For basic sound effects, use clear, concise descriptions:

• “Glass shattering on concrete”
• “Heavy wooden door creaking open”
• “Thunder rumbling in the distance”

Complex sequences

For multi-part sound effects, describe the sequence of events:

• “Footsteps on gravel, then a metallic door opens”
• “Wind whistling through trees, followed by leaves rustling”
• “Sword being drawn, then clashing with another blade”

Musical elements

The API also supports generation of musical components:

• ”90s hip-hop drum loop, 90 BPM”
• “Vintage brass stabs in F minor”
• “Atmospheric synth pad with subtle modulation”

Audio terminology

Common terms that can enhance your prompts:

• Impact: Collision or contact sounds between objects, from subtle taps to dramatic crashes
• Whoosh: Movement through air effects, ranging from fast and ghostly to slow-spinning or rhythmic
• Ambience: Background environmental sounds that establish atmosphere and space
• One-shot: Single, non-repeating sound
• Loop: Repeating audio segment
• Stem: Isolated audio component
• Braam: Big, brassy cinematic hit that signals epic or dramatic moments, common in trailers
• Glitch: Sounds of malfunction, jittering, or erratic movement, useful for transitions and sci-fi
• Drone: Continuous, textured sound that creates atmosphere and suspense

Key facts

• Maximum duration: 30 seconds per generation
• Output formats: MP3 for all effects; WAV at 48 kHz for non-looping effects
• Looping effects: Designed for seamless repeat playback — no audible start or end point
• Musical elements: Drum loops, bass lines, and melodic samples can be generated; for full music production use the Music API