Using Motion Array’s Free Sound Effects in Premiere Pro

Sometimes what you need to finish off a video are some good sound effects. Luckily, we have tons of free sound effects that are great for all sorts of video projects!

In this tutorial, you’re going to learn how to add your new sound effects to your edit in Premiere Pro. Plus, find out how to add a limiter effect to your mix so the audio on your finished project doesn’t clip. Let’s dive in!

How to Edit Sounds Effects in Premiere Pro

Before you put in sound effects, you’ll want to make sure you have some video and audio in your timeline. If you need somewhere to start, try one of our free Premiere Pro templates. For a music track, you could use a royalty free music track (also free) and layer your SFX for added complexity to your edits! 

Step 1: Add Your Markers

First, you’ll want to know where to place your sound effects on your timeline. To do this you’ll use markers. 

1. To add a marker, drag the playhead to the desired spot on the timeline and press m.
2. To go to marker you’ve already put in, drag your playhead and hold Shift to lock in or hold Shift + m.

Step 2: Add Audio Files to Your Timeline

Now it’s time to put your sound effects onto the timeline.

1. Drag your desired sound effect from the Project Library to an empty Audio Track.
2. To add additional sound effects, just repeat step one. If your sound effects overlap, use separate audio tracks to that your new sound effect isn’t cutting off the other sound effect as it fades out.
3. To duplicate a sound effect, highlight it and press ALT or Option then just drag it to where you want it further down the track. If they don’t overlap, there is no need to give it it’s own track.

Step 3: Preventing Audio Clipping 

Once you’ve put in your sound effect, you might notice that on playback they are clipping a bit. Clipping is when the audio goes over 0.0dB and can make the audio sound distorted, here’s how to prevent it.

1. Drop the volume of the audio a couple of decibels (dB). 
2. To do this, click on the audio track and hover your cursor over the middle of the track. 
3. You’ll see a set of arrows, this is the volume control. You can use this to lower the volume on each track individually.

For more information about using Premiere Pro audio features, check out this tutorial here. 

Step 4: Add a Limiter

For online video, it’s best to keep the volume no higher than -6.0dB. A good way to do this is to add a limiter to your master track, the limiter will prevent the audio from going over a certain volume.

1. Click on Window > Audio Track Mixer. This will display all the various audio tracks.
2. Click on the triangle in the top left corner to reveal the effects and sends panel.
3. Your audio master track will be on the far right. Click the drop-down menu then go Amplitude and Compression > Dynamics. Once it’s loaded double-click on Dynamics.
4. Turn off the Compressor and turn on the Limiter. Then set the threshold to whatever you want to max volume to be.

Now you know how to add sound effects and apply a limiter to prevent clipping! We hope you found this tutorial on how to use our free sound effects in Premiere Pro helpful and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!