Sound libraries

Localized Sound Effects

Localized sound effects recorded on the ground, all over the world, by people who actually went there. European city centres. American streets. The Vietnamese countryside, Senegal, the Bolivian jungle and forests across Europe. It beats building a foreign city out of generic crowd and traffic, which never quite sounds right, and it gives a documentary or a travel sequence a proper sense of place.

Libraries
224
Publishers
84
Formats
Mono, stereo, M/S, surround, ambisonic
Sample rates
44.1 to 192 kHz
Licence
Royalty-free for commercial work
Price range
$5 to $450
FiltersAll 224 libraries in LocalizedFilter by the spec, not just the subjectRecorded or designed, sample rate, bit depth, channel format, embedded metadata and file count. Narrow it down before you download anything.
Recorded or designed
RecordedDesigned

Recorded means captured in the field or a studio. Designed means built from other material.

Channel format
MonoStereoM/SSurroundAmbisonic

Mono for 3D positional audio. Ambisonic and surround for immersive mixes.

Embedded metadata
Tagged for Soundminer or UCSUntagged

Soundminer and UCS fields written into the files.

All 224 libraries in Localized.
Just added

New in Localized

96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Mono, Stereo.
Modern China ambience sound effects featuring 390 recordings across urban, rural, and suburban environments including markets, temples, high-speed trains, crowds, fireworks, birdsong, and thunderstorms from Beijing, Sichuan, Yunnan, and beyond at 96kHz/24-bit.
390 files · 43.9 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Hong Kong urban ambience sound effects featuring 39 recordings at 96kHz/24-bit across street markets, MTR metro stations, harbour scenes, Kowloon Park, crosswalk alerts, ferry interiors, and Cantonese crowd walla.
39 files · 2.35 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Holy Land ambience sound effects capturing sacred places across Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Haifa, featuring bustling markets, peaceful gardens, religious chanting, multilingual crowd walla, and serene church room tones.
212 files · 15.21 GB · Metadata
-60%
48 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Japan field recording sound effects captured across Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and other cities, featuring pachinko parlors, train and metro interiors, street traffic, pedestrian crossings, ramen shops, suburban neighborhoods, and Tsukuba Circuit racing.
149 files · 10.3 GB · Metadata
Was $80.00, now $32.00
Add Sounds from Japan to cart
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Immersive Moroccan soundscapes blend market prayers with natural sound effects, capturing authentic ambience across three distinct locations, from bustling souks to serene desert winds.
55 files · 3.66 GB · Metadata
96 to 192 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Featuring over 400 files with UCS metadata, this collection covers authentic UK ambiences, ranging from London streets and Northern England crowds to Scottish landmarks and rural sound effects.
402 files · 38 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
From the bustling Ruhr region of Germany, nearly 5 hours of sound effects capture authentic urban life, featuring industrial zones, crowds, transport networks, and natural city spaces.
143 files · 10.05 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Natural ambiences and sound effects captured across northern England, featuring 124 recordings of canals, markets, traffic, and room tones spanning 328 minutes of high-quality audio.
10.68 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo, Surround.
This comprehensive collection captures Mexico's vibrant essence through detailed sound effects, featuring bustling marketplaces, serene countryside ambiances, and authentic cultural atmospheres from diverse locations.
61 files · 6.20 GB · Metadata
96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Four-channel urban recordings capture Berlin's diverse soundscape, featuring pristine sound effects of traffic, open spaces, and city ambiences recorded with premium DPA microphones across multiple locations.
34 files · 26.7 GB · Metadata
192 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo.
Within historic York's cobbled streets, natural ambiences blend tourist voices, sound effects of ancient bells, and authentic hand-struck coins, capturing the city's vibrant heritage through pristine field recordings.
26 files · 4.33 GB · Metadata
48 to 96 kHz, 24-bit. Formats: Stereo, Ambisonic B.
Mark Mangini's comprehensive collection features 239 immersive sound effects capturing Los Angeles' diverse urban atmosphere, including beach ambience, traffic, and aircraft recordings from iconic locations.
238 files · 86 GB · Metadata

It builds atmosphere with subtlety and detail, from a street-level documentary to a scene deep in the countryside. Real places. More texture sits next door in Ambience, Nature Ambience, Urban Ambience, and Weather.

Before you buy

Where do I start?

Tell us what you are making and we will narrow it down for you. Or start from a recordist whose work you already know. Some release here and nowhere else.

Can I use these commercially?

Yes. One licence covers commercial use, including client work, broadcast and games. No subscription, and nothing expires.

Film, games, audiobooks, all of it?

All of it. The licence does not care what you are making. Audiobooks, podcasts, film, television, games, theatre, advertising, installations.

Do you accept AI-generated sounds?

No. Every library here was recorded or designed by people. We do not accept generated audio from publishers.

How do I know a sound is in there before I pay?

Libraries publish a full tracklist, linked on the library page, and you can play the previews first. Still not sure? Ask us and we will check for you.

Will the files work with my setup?

Everything is WAV. 4,112 libraries carry embedded metadata for Soundminer and UCS, and the sample rate, bit depth and channel format are shown on the library page before you open it.

Where are the full licence terms?

On the licence page, in full, before you buy. Studio and multi-seat terms are there too.

Shopping Cart

Your cart is empty.

Return to shop
Proceed to Checkout