Soundrangers sound effects and production music are all 100% original, created by Soundrangers for Soundrangers. We do not resell, redistribute or re-purpose other sound effect libraries or music. Our sounds are the highest of quality, made using only the latest techniques and technologies.
All of our sounds are ready to 'plug and play'. Just drop the sounds into your production and they will work. Silence and unessential material has been edited out of the sound effects. Background sounds and ambiances loop seamlessly without editing and without clicks and pops at the loop point.
The demo files you hear on the site are lo-fi because they've been compressed for ease of page loading and auditioning. In some cases this makes the demo files sound slightly different than the full bandwidth version. In all cases the demo files, both sound effects and music are a lo-fi version of the original file. Meaning, the demo files are the exact same length and content as the real sound file and the looping demo files are the same as the original sounds, just looped.
In interactive media it's often necessary to lower the file size (downsample), by reducing the sample rate and bit depth of the file, or by saving the file using a compression codec such as MP3 or Ogg Vorbis. Downsampling does adversely affect sound quality, however, our sound files are designed for this so they retain much of their quality even when downsampled.
Some applications, such as Macromedia's Flash, allow you to downsample audio files when exporting. Starting with full bandwidth sound files will give you the best results. Check the Flash help docs for more information.
The beeps in the music cuts are watermarks for security and not present in the purchased sound files.
Quality of the Downloaded Sounds
Our downloads are uncompressed, full bandwidth wav file. This gives you the option of using a full quality file or compressing them into a smaller file size. All downloads are 44k/16 bit. If you need the sounds compressed into MP3’s, you’ll need to use iTunes or another free/commercial application for this.
File Size of Downloaded Sounds
We don't worry about posting file sizes because chances are if you are concerned about file size your files will end up being compressed at some. If you are going to compress audio files (convert to MP3, OGG, etc.) it's best to start with a high quality, uncompressed wav file. In memory sensitive situations, having access to the uncompressed file allows experimenting with different compression rates so you can obtain the best file size to sound quality ratio for your project. While still having access to the original, uncompressed file.
A few notes about file sizes... Audio files can also be radically reduced through sample and bit rate reduction, summing the file to mono(stereo files are twice as large as mono files), as well as using a compression codec such as MP3. A 44k/16bit :60 second stereo wav file's size is 10 megs. Compressing this down to a 128kbs MP3 file will reduce the file size to roughly 1 meg. One tenth of the original file size. A 1 second 44k/16bit stereo file uncompressed is 172k- after compression to a 48kbs MP3 the size goes down to 7k.
Using The Site
Main Features
Sound Preview: click the demo player next to each sound to give it a listen. The demos a lo-fi version of the actual sound, in it's entirety, not an edited version of the sound. The demos are lower quality than the full bandwidth version available for download after checkout, so in some cases they may not sound exactly the same because of the file compression used in the demos. The most noticeable difference between the demos and the downloads is some of the high frequencies and details of the sound will not be as noticeable in the lo-quality demos as in the CD quality downloads.
Soundboxes: you can now create and save playlists or collections of sounds known as Soundboxes™. These Soundboxes can help organize sounds per project, can be shared with others or sent to clients for approval. Create as many as you'd like, then when you are ready you can add the the sounds in your SoundBoxes to your shopping cart.
Pre-paid account: Multiple users, from multiple accounts, can access the library without the hassle of tracking company credit cards or multiple POs. You make one payment and your account is debited with each purchase. It also helps you speed through the checkout process.
Instant Downloads: immediately after checkout you will be able to download your order.
Selectable File Format: file format, sample rate and bit rate are chosen after checkout. If you'd like to try a different file setting, simply re-download your order using a different combination of file format or sample rate. You do this by logging into your account and clicking the ‘Download’button.
Comp Files: you can download each music track for trying out in your project. Click the download icon in the 'Comp' column to download a trail MP3 with watermark.
View Your Order History and Re-Download Your Sound Effects and Music: Lost your invoice? Lost your sound effects? Or just want to try them in a different file format? Log into your account, get copies of invoices and re-download your sound files.
Comp File Download
The "comp" file is a low resolution mp3 useful for playing the royalty free music to your clients or testing it in your production without the obligation to buy. Please note: the annoying beeps are simply a watermark to prevent theft- they are removed in the purchased version.
Downloading Your Order, Using FTP and HTTP
During the checkout process, after your credit card clears and after you choose the file type, you will be given a choice of download methods: FTP or HTTP.
FTP: Allows you to download all of your sound effects at once or individually. Select the files and drag them to your desktop or other location on your computer.
HTTP: Allows you to download your sounds individually. Select and save the files to your computer. Windows users- select the files, right click, and choose "Save Target As..", save the files to your computer. Mac user- select the files, hold down the mouse, and choose "Save" from the menu, save the files to your computer.
If you have trouble or your computer doesn't like one of these methods, you can immediately try the other. Hit the 'Download' button again or you can return to your Account page and re-download your order. Firefox users should use HTTP.
Soundboxes
You can now create and save playlists or collections of sounds known as Soundboxes™. These Soundboxes can help organize sounds per project, can be shared with others or sent to clients for approval. Create as many as you'd like, then when you are ready you can add the the sounds in your SoundBoxes to your shopping cart.
Once logged into your account you can create as many Soundboxes as you'd like. You can make them public so that anybody would be able to find them using the Soundbox Search or keep them private so only people who have a direct link can see them. You can email links to your Soundboxes through the Soundboxes management page. While browsing through the site, click the icon in the Soundbox column to add the sound effect or music track to a Soundbox. If you have multiple Soundboxes created you will be asked which one you would like to use.
Shipping (CDs Only)
All CDs are shipped via US Postal Priority mail. Shipping charges are affected by a variety of factors, especially when shipping to a non-US destination. Soundrangers.com is always working to improve the quality and cost of shipping for both our US and non-US customers. For this reason, shipping rates and policies are subject to change without notice.
An additional shipping charge will be applied if we have to re-ship an item because of an address error.
US shipping: Allow 2-3 working days for delivery. Cost is $5-6 dollars. Please note: On US holidays, order processing and/or shipping may be slightly delayed. US carriers do not ship or deliver on holidays.
Non-US shipping: Allow 4-7 working days. Please Note: Delivery times for destinations outside of the United States are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. Additional import duties, fees, and/or taxes may apply to international shipments.
Sound Page Icons
(:60) LENGTH: This indicates the actual length of the file you download in seconds.
LOOP: The loop box indicates whether the music file is authored to loop, or authored as a "one-shot" piece of music. When the box is checked, the file is authored to loop seamlessly in whatever application you're using it in. If the box is not checked, the file has been authored with a top and tail and is not intended to loop. NOTE: The demo button automatically loops the music file so you can get an idea of what it sounds like when looped. Please note that because of this, the demo file will play for a longer period of time than what is indicated in the length column.
COMP: The "comp" file is a "preview" file available for download and use in your production before you buy. It's also a way for you to demo our royalty free music for your clients without having to commit to a purchase. It's available as a 128kbs MP3 file. The beep is simply a watermark to prevent theft of our material and will be removed upon purchase. If the icon does not appear, no comp file is available. Click the icon to download. If you’re using our new hi-tech store, look for the comp file link in the lower right ‘info’ field after clicking on the desired production music track.
Legal Information
Music Licensing
Below are the primary license types for our royalty free music. Please determine what kind of usage you're interested in, and select the appropriate license type from the drop down box.
IMPORTANT: Please remember that because we are the exclusive rights holders for all of our music, once you have selected your license type we can legally guarantee and grant to you the rights to use the music exactly as described in each license tier without any hidden restrictions, additional license fees or 3rd party negotiations! An asterisk (*) requires you to fill out and submit a usage cue sheet to us using our online form. If you don't see what you’re looking for or have any questions or suggestions please contact us. Click here for licensing and usage information.
IMPORTANT: Each license gives you the non-exclusive worldwide rights for the lifetime of the product.
General: This is our general usage license which covers royalty free music usage in the following: non-commercial and commercial websites, single use DVD/CD-ROM/video, Kiosks, virtual business cards, internal business presentations, PowerPoint, personal use, theater, educational use, events, conventions, weddings.
Game, Web: This license covers usage in web based games, where the game is hosted on or as a website and not installed locally on a user's computer.
Game, Download: This license covers usage in downloadable casual games, both commercial and free. A downloadable game is defined as a game that is downloaded and installed locally onto your computer or PDA. It covers up to 500 downloads. This license gives you the non-exclusive, worldwide rights for the lifetime of the game in up to 500 downloads without any further license fees due. If you require more downloads than this, please purchase the "Game, Download Unlimited" license.
Game, Download Unlimited: This license covers music usage in downloadable casual games, both commercial and free. A downloadable game is defined as a game that is downloaded and installed locally onto your computer or PDA. This license gives you the non-exclusive, worldwide rights for the lifetime of the game in an unlimited number of downloads without any further license fees due.
Resale/Production: If you plan on using our music in products made commercially available for sale to the public or OEMs, and/or are manufacturing multiple units of product which include our music, you'll need this license. It is both a sync and mechanical license and covers: software (downloadable and boxed), DVD, CD-ROM, video, Kiosks, virtual business cards, tradeshow promo discs etc. This license also covers usage in non-downloadable Console, PC and Handheld GAME titles. (For web and downloadable games, please see associated license above) There are several different pricing tiers based on the quantity of product you need. You can view these price points in the licensing drop down box next to each track of music.
So for example, if you've created a piece of software that requires up to 500 units manufactured, you're covered under the "Resale/Production 500" license. If you plan to manufacture more, you'll need to purchase the license that corresponds to the quantity you need. I.E. If you've created a DVD documentary that will be sold to the public and need up to 5000 units manufactured, you're covered under the "Resale/Production 5k" license. Shipping 100k units of your PC game? Select the "Resale/Production 100k" license. We don't require credits, but would love to be credited in your credit roll if one exists. As always, please ask if you have any questions. Again, each license tier gives you the non-exclusive, worldwide rights to use the music for the lifetime of the product without any further license fees due.
Radio: broadcast productions available to the public on local, regional and/or national radio and webcasts. Usage types include commercials, jingles, promos, PSA's
*Requires Cue Sheet submission.
TV/Cable: broadcast productions available to the public on local, regional, national and/or international TV, free TV, cable, webcasts and pay per view. Usage types include network/channel programming, commercials, infomercials, jingles, promos, PSA's. Please note: We do not break out different license fees depending on territory, type of broadcast or length of run. The one license fee covers you for usage in all territories, types of broadcast and length of run- we try and make the licensing easy for you! *Requires cue sheet submission.
Podcast: Use this license for music usage in podcasts. License covers an unlimited number of downloads for the lifetime of the podcast. Our royalty free music is PodSafe!
Film, Feature: usage in commercial feature films and trailers.
*Requires Cue Sheet submission.
Film, Indie/Short: This license covers you for sync usage in your indie or short film/animation and covers you up to 500 copies manufactured. You will need to purchase an additional "Resale/Production" license if you plan on manufacturing more than 500 copies. See above. If your indie/short is broadcast, you'll need to fill our cue sheet and return it to us. Also, we don't require that you put us in your credits, but it'd be most appreciated! You can gather the writer information by clicking the "cue sheet" icon next to each track of music on our music pages. *Requires cue sheet submission.
Broadcast, Other: On Hold Music, Music Services, Sporting Events etc.
*Requires cue sheet submission.
See the Licensing Page for more information.
Sound Effects Licensing
All of our sound effects are 'royalty-free', meaning the purchase price includes all licensing and usage fees. The purchaser of Soundrangers sound effects is licensed to use them as many times as they desire, for as long as they desire, in as many productions as they desire so as the sound effects are 'synchronized' in your audio/video production. This includes personal web design, commercial web design, software applications, Flash animations, games, video, podcasts, webcasts, radio, TV, DVD, film and so on. Our license does NOT reselling our sounds in anyway as standalone elements, cover usage as ringtones or other hardware devices that "play" sounds as standalone elements, template services or audio-centric software (I.E. IM type apps). We have several license packages available for this sort of usage- please contact us using our 'sales and licensing' form for more info.
See the Licensing Page for more information.
Privacy
Rest assured that we will not sell, give, or trade your personal information with any other party. We never have and never will. We get far too much junk mail to ever do that to anyone else. We are strongly committed to protecting your privacy, and providing a safe and secure online experience.
See the Privacy Page for more information.
Security
Shopping online at Soundrangers.com is statistically safer than using your credit card at a restaurant or department store. We have taken every known safeguard, insuring that your personal information will be secure.
*If you are still uncomfortable with using your credit card online contact us and we will arrange other means of payment that are almost as fast and easy, such as PayPal.
See the Security Page for more information.
Warranty
Soundrangers' products are guaranteed against corruption and damage. If you have received a corrupted file or damaged CD, contact us and we will promptly regenerate your purchase. Soundrangers is not responsible for the loss of your sound effects or royalty free music, so please, please back them up! All sales are final. By purchasing the sounds on this site, you agree to all terms in our licensing agreement.
System Requirements
Preferred
Works with Windows and Mac. Best with the latest operating system and updated versions of the major browsers.
Many crashing or freezing problems are due to either connection speed or browser versions or security software (pop-up, firewall. etc.).
If you are having trouble, start by quitting your browser (completely closing all windows), restart the browser and try again. If problems persist, try a different browser. You will have the best results using a current version of one of the major browsers. For Windows, IE or Firefox or Chrome work well. For Mac, Safari or Firefox or Chrome work well.
If this doesn't solve your problem, check with your internet service provider or IP support. The problem may be slow connection speed due to, port settings or firewall settings on the provider side.
All users: Due to the nature of the Internet, you may occasionally experience "browser freeze" or dropped connections. If you ever have any continued problems, contact us, we'll make sure your transaction is completed and your experience pleasant.