OMG. The BBC has just opened the doors wider to its incredible sound effect library, now featuring over 33,000 samples that you can download for free.
The collection has been available to the public since 2018, and it’s now doubled in size (!)
These recordings take our ears back to the 1920s, capturing sounds both from the BBC’s own studios and from field recordings too – it’s pretty wild to hear some of the things that the BCC have paid to capture over the years!!
There’s everything from footsteps and transport sounds to the calls of nature and the hum of machines. Reindeer grunts, the gentle patter of rain, ticking clocks, horses walking through mud, common frog calls, and even the cheers from the 1989 FA Cup Final. Madness!
Have a listen to the full archive here and learn more about the history of the BBC sound effect library here. Use it on podcasts and everything inbetween.