Word sound effects
Put a sound on a word, not on a timeline.
One well-placed sound for a reveal, a transition or a punchline. Let the voice lead.
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How it works
Add and transcribe
Add your media and choose its spoken language. Sign in to generate captions; extracted audio is sent for transcription while the video stays on your device.
Review the result
Play the clip and correct names, numbers and any misheard phrases before choosing the final appearance.
Export and check
Download the captioned video, then play the saved file at its intended viewing size. Keep the editable project for later corrections.
“Sound effects in captions” can mean two different jobs: adding an audible effect or writing a description such as [door closes]. This page covers adding sound; accessible captions may also need a written description of important sounds.
Start with one emphasis word. If an effect hides a consonant or makes you turn the volume down, lower or remove it before adding another.
- Attached to a word
- The sound is stored with the selected word so edits can move it with that word.
- Four sound groups
- Choose taps, sweeps, hits or bright accents according to the moment.
- Preview before export
- Listen around the selected word to hear the lead-in and the speech together.
- Included in the video
- Effects are mixed into the video export; SRT and VTT cannot carry audio.
Choose the effect by its job
Pop or Tick can mark a small beat. Whoosh or Riser can build into a reveal. Impact and Sub drop are stronger accents; Ding and Sparkle suit a brief positive moment. These are creative starting points, not rules.
Some effects begin before the selected word so their peak lands with it. Replay a few seconds either side, especially after trimming an opening.
A practical listening check
Listen once on headphones and once on a phone speaker. A low Sub drop may barely register on a small speaker, while a sharp tick may feel louder than expected.
Keep useful speech intelligible at ordinary listening volume. Sound effects cannot rescue a clip that only makes sense with sound; review the words with the audio muted too.
Common questions
Does adding a sound effect describe it in subtitles?
No. Audible decoration and written sound descriptions are separate tasks. Add necessary written descriptions when preparing accessible captions.
Will the sound stay if I download an SRT?
No. SRT contains text and timing. Export video to retain mixed-in sound effects.
Should every word make a sound?
Usually start with fewer accents. Listen to the whole clip; repeating a sound can become tiring even when each individual hit sounds good.
