The BBC has expanded its free-to-use sound effects library.
The extensive archive was initially opened to the public in 2018, with around 16,000 sounds initially made available online. It has now more than doubled in size to stock over 33,000 samples, which are available to download for free as a WAV or MP3 file.
The BBC’s library features recordings dating back to the 1920s, and comprises sounds made in the broadcaster’s dedicated studio for use in specific BBC programmes, as well as field recordings captured out in the world. It’s divided into categories such as ‘Nature’, ‘Transport’, ‘Sport’, ‘Crowds’, ‘Footsteps’ and more.
The sounds have been released under a non-commercial use license (a RemArc License), which means they can only be used for research, educational or personal projects. The samples therefore can’t be legally sampled in music or other products that are then sold.
Access the library here.
