A Huge List of Sound Effect Words For Screenwriters

Every time I work on a new screenplay, I get sidetracked looking for the perfect way to describe the win or the rain or a gunshot or anything else. So I finally broke down and made a huge list of sound effects words in order to help myself.

And then I thought...these might help a lot of people out.

So today, I want to load you up with the onomatopoeia and give you a shortcut of a list of all these words to use next time you 're writing.

Let's dive in.

List of Sound Effect Words

IMPACTS & COLLISIONS

Varied Hard Hits:

• CRACKLE-THUD (electrical short then impact)
• SPLINTERING CRACK (wood giving way)
• HEAVY CRUMP (dull, distant explosion or heavy fall)
• SOLID THWACK (implies density, no give)
• GLANCING BLOW (scrape/thud combo)
• RESONATING CLANG (metal vibrating after impact)
• DEEP BOOM (large explosion, low frequency)
• SHARP RAP (like knuckles on glass or door)
• JUDDERING IMPACT (shaking, unstable collision)
• BODY THUMP (dull, heavy fall of a person or large animal)
• SACK OF WET LAUNDRY SLAP (heavy, wet, unpleasant impact)
• CRUMPLING METAL (car crash, can being crushed - sustained crushing sound)
• RIPPING TEAR (fabric or material giving way under stress during impact)
• BOUNCING CLATTER (multiple small hard objects falling and scattering)
• WHUMP (impact with air displacement, like hitting a cushion hard)

Shattering/Breaking:

• GLASS SHATTER (generic)
• FINE TINKLE SHATTER (delicate glass, like a wine glass)
• HEAVY GLASS BREAK (thick pane, window)
• POTTERY SMASH (denser, earthier sound than glass)
• PORCELAIN SHATTER (similar to pottery, perhaps slightly higher pitch)
• CRUMBLING ROCK/PLASTER (disintegrating sound, multiple small impacts)
• BRICK SHATTERING (heavy, gritty break)
• ICE SHATTERING/CRACKING (brittle, sharp sound)
• BONE SNAP (sharp, sickening crack)

Water/Liquid Impacts:

• KER-PLUNK (larger object, comedic/deliberate drop)
• DRIP... DRIP... ECHOING PLINK (tension, quiet space)
• TORRENTIAL SPLASH (large volume of water hitting surface)
• GENTLE LAPPING (water against shore/object, rhythmic)
• SUDDEN WHOOSH-SPLASH (something hitting water fast from air)
• GLOOPING SPLOSH (viscous liquid impact, like mud or thick paint)
• BUBBLING SURFACE IMPACT (object hitting boiling or aerated water)
• UNDERWATER THUMP (muffled, low-frequency impact heard from below surface)
• SKIMMING SPLASH (object skipping across water surface)

Metallic Variations:

• TINNY CLATTER (thin metal, cans)
• BRASSY CLANG (brass object, bell-like resonance)
• MUFFLED CLUNK (impact heard through metal wall or container)
• PING... PING... (small object hitting metal repeatedly, drops of water)
• METALLIC SCREECH (metal scraping hard against metal or concrete)
• CHAIN RATTLING/DRAGGING (individual links hitting each other)
• HEAVY GONG (deep, resonant, sustained tone after impact)
• METALLIC GRINDING (sustained, harsh friction accompanying impact)
• SCRAPING CLANK (heavy object dragged over or hitting metal floor)
• SWORD CLANG/CLASH (distinctive sound of blades meeting)

Bullet Impacts/Ricochets:

• BULLET SPANG (hitting metal sharply, high pitch)
• BULLET THWIP or THWACK (hitting flesh/soft material)
• BULLET CRACK (hitting wood/plaster)
• STONE CHIPS FLYING (sound implied with visual, sharp tiny impacts)
• WHIZZING RICOCHET (passes close, high-pitched buzz/whine)
• DULL THUD RICOCHET (lower velocity, less sharp, hitting softer surface after bounce)
• BULLET ZING/ZIP (passing very close overhead)
• BULLET PUNCH (hitting body armor/kevlar, muffled impact)
• EARTHY THUD (bullet hitting soft ground, dirt)
• WATER SPLASH/ZIZZ (bullet hitting water)

II. MOVEMENT & FRICTION

Subtle Movements:

• FABRIC BRUSHING (against skin, furniture, varying textures - cotton, denim, silk)
• STEALTHY FOOTFALLS (almost silent, on soft ground or careful steps)
• CREEPING SOUND (indistinct, slow movement, floorboard creak)
• GENTLE SWAYING (like branches, cloth in breeze, hammock)
• PAPER SLIDING (across a desk, smooth or slightly scratchy)
• SANDPAPER SCRAPE (light, abrasive friction)
• SILK RUSTLE (distinctive, smooth, slightly crisp fabric sound)
• PAGE TURN (crisp paper, soft aged paper)
• HAIR BRUSHING (soft strokes, bristles against hair)
• LEATHER CREAK (jacket, saddle, chair shifting)

Mechanical Movement:

• RATCHETING CLICK (tool, mechanism advancing step-by-step)
• WINCHING STRAIN/GROAN (heavy lifting, cable tension)
• CONVEYOR BELT RUMBLE/CLANK (continuous movement, rollers)
• PNEUMATIC HISS-THUMP (machinery using air pressure)
• SERVO WHIR/MOVEMENT (robotic, precise mechanical sound)
• CLOCKWORK TICKING/WHIRRING (intricate gears, spring tension)
• TURNSTILE CLICK/RATCHET (allowing passage)
• GEARS GRINDING (stressed mechanism, lack of lubrication)
• HYDRAULIC WHINE/HISS (movement and pressure release, lifts, heavy machinery)
• PRINTER HEAD ZIPPING (dot matrix or inkjet moving back and forth)
• DISK DRIVE WHIR/CLICK (computer hard drive reading/writing data)
• LOCK TUMBLERS CLICKING (specific manipulation during lock picking)
• ELEVATOR HUM/DING/DOOR SLIDE (arrival and operation)

Air Movement:

• GUST OF WIND (sudden rush)
• VACUUM CLEANER ROAR/SUCK (powerful airflow)
• AIR BRAKE HISS (trucks/trains releasing pressure)
• VENTILATION HUM/RUSH (HVAC system)
• BALLOON DEFLATING (PFFFT - quick, or SCREECH - stretched neck)
• BELLOWS WHOOSH (forcing air, blacksmith forge, fireplace)
• COMPRESSED AIR BLAST (sharp, short hiss from nozzle)
• DRAFT WHISTLING (air moving through a small crack)
• BREATHING (heavy, panting, calm, strained - overlaps Human)
• FAN BLADES WHOOSHING (ceiling fan, desk fan)

Liquids Moving:

• SLOSHING (liquid in a partially filled container being moved)
• GURGLING DRAIN (water emptying)
• BUBBLING (boiling water, brook, cauldron)
• SEEPING/TRICKLING WATER (leak, small stream)
• SYRINGE PLUNGER SQUISH/HISS (injecting or drawing liquid)
• VISCOUS OOZE/SLURP (thick liquid moving slowly, mud, slime)
• DRIPPING SYRUP (slow, sticky drops falling)
• WATER FLOWING (through pipe, hose - varying pressure sounds)
• POURING GRAIN/SAND (continuous rustling, friction sound)

Rolling/Sliding:

• MARBLE ROLLING (distinctive hard sound on hard surface)
• SKATEBOARD WHEELS ON PAVEMENT (rolling hum/clack over cracks)
• BOWLING BALL RUMBLE... then CRASH (pins)
• FURNITURE DRAGGING/SCRAPING (heavy object across floor)
• DOLLY SQUEAK/RUMBLE (wheels moving under load)
• SKIS ON SNOW (SWISH/SCRAPE) (gliding or turning)
• SKATES ON ICE (SCRATCHING GLIDE) (metal blades carving ice)
• BALL BEARINGS SCATTERING/ROLLING (multiple small metal balls)
• OBJECT SLIDING ON ICE (smooth, low friction glide)
• MINE CART RUMBLE/SQUEAL (on tracks, often uneven)

III. NATURAL SOUNDS

Weather Nuances:

• SLEET HISSING/TAPPING (against window)
• FREEZING RAIN TINKLE (ice coating surfaces)
• DUST DEVIL WHIR (small vortex of wind and debris)
• DRY LEAVES SKITTERING (across pavement in wind)
• ICE CRACKING/GROANING (lake or structure under stress)
• ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE POP (ears adjusting, often subtle)
• DISTANT VOLCANIC RUMBLE (low frequency, ominous)
• THUNDERCLAP (sharp, loud crack of close lightning)
• ROLLING THUNDER (distant, prolonged rumble)
• SONIC BOOM (distinctive double crack from supersonic object)
• HAILSTONES CLATTERING/POUNDING (impact sound varies with size/surface)
• WIND HOWLING/MOANING (through trees, buildings, strong winds)

Animal Specifics/Subtleties:

• INSECT WINGS BEATING (close-up, buzz, hum - bee, fly)
• MOSQUITO WHINE (annoying, high-pitched, close)
• SNAKE SLITHERING (through grass/sand/leaves)
• DEER SNORT/STOMP (alarm signal)
• RACCOON CHITTERING (communal, sometimes aggressive sound)
• BAT WINGS FLUTTERING/LEATHERY FLAP (quick, erratic movement)
• WHALE SONG (distant, underwater, complex calls)
• DOLPHIN CLICKS/WHISTLES (echolocation and communication)
• HYENA LAUGH (distinctive, unsettling vocalization)
• WOLF HOWL (long, mournful call)
• OWL HOOT (various species have different calls)
• CROW CAW (harsh, loud call)
• DOG BARK/WHINE/GROWL (various breeds and emotions)
• CAT PURR/HISS/MEOW/YOWL (contentment, aggression, communication)
• HORSE WHINNY/NEIGH/SNORT (communication, alarm)
• CICADA DRONE (loud, pulsating insect sound, summer ambiance)
• CRICKETS CHIRPING (night ambiance, rhythmic)
• BIRDSONG (varied calls, chirps, melodies depending on species)
• BEAR GROWL/ROAR (deep, menacing)

Environmental Details:

• GEYSER HISS/ERUPTION ROAR (steam and water pressure)
• MUD BUBBLING/PLOPPING (geothermal areas, swamps)
• SAND SHIFTING/WHISPERING (wind over dunes, settling)
• ECHOING DRIP in a cave (amplified water drop)
• WATERFALL ROAR (varying intensity based on size/distance)
• CAMPFIRE SIZZLE/CRACKLE (wood burning, sap popping, maybe food cooking)
• VOLCANIC VENT HISS (release of gases)
• LAVA FLOW CRACKLE/HISS (cooling rock, burning vegetation)
• TREE BRANCHES CREAKING/GROANING (wind or stress, old wood)
• BAMBOO CLACKING (stalks hitting each other in wind)
• AVALANCHE RUMBLE/ROAR (snow and ice moving downhill)
• EARTHQUAKE RUMBLE/SHAKING (low frequency, objects rattling)

IV. MAN-MADE & MECHANICAL

Office/Domestic Specifics:

• PAPER SHREDDER GRIND/WHIR
• PHOTOCOPIER HUM/SWISH/CLUNK
• THREE-HOLE PUNCH CHUNK
• STAPLER KA-CHUNK
• BLENDER WHIR/GRIND (add specific food: ICE CRUNCHING, SMOOTHIE WHIR)
• MICROWAVE HUM... DING!
• TOASTER LEVER DOWN... SPRINGS POP UP
• SEWING MACHINE WHIR/STITCHING RHYTHM
• ESPRESSO MACHINE HISS/GURGLE/STEAM WAND SCREAM
• DISHWASHER HUM/WATER SPRAYING
• OLD RADIATOR CLANK/HISS/GURGLE (steam heating)
• TYPEWRITER CLACK/BELL DING (carriage return)
• ROTARY PHONE DIAL WHIR/CLICK
• FILM PROJECTOR CLICK/WHIR (intermittent film advance)
• VACUUM TUBE WARM-UP HUM (old electronics)
• CASH REGISTER KA-CHING/DRAWER SLIDE (mechanical register)
• KEYBOARD CLACKING (varying intensity/speed)
• REFRIGERATOR HUM/KICK ON/OFF (compressor cycle)

Construction/Industrial:

• JACKHAMMER RAT-TAT-TAT / POUNDING
• NAIL GUN PFFT-THWACK
• RIVET GUN RATATAT
• BUZZ SAW WHINE (cutting wood) / ANGLE GRINDER SCREECH (cutting metal)
• FORKLIFT BEEP-BEEP-BEEP (reverse) / HYDRAULIC WHINE
• DUMP TRUCK BED SLAMMING DOWN (CLANG/BOOM)
• WELDING ARC SIZZLE/CRACKLE
• PILE DRIVER THUMP/POUND (heavy, rhythmic impact)
• AIR COMPRESSOR CHUG/HISS (building pressure, then releasing)
• BACKHOE BEEP/HYDRAULICS/BUCKET SCRAPE (digging, moving earth)
• CHAINSAW ROAR/BUZZ (high-speed cutting)
• FACTORY STAMPING PRESS KA-CHUNK (heavy, rhythmic impact)

Medical:

• HEART MONITOR STEADY BEEP / ALARMING FAST BEEP / FLATLINE DRONE
• VENTILATOR WHOOSH-CLICK RHYTHM
• DEFIBRILLATOR CHARGE WHINE... PADDLE THUMP... BUZZ
• IV DRIP MACHINE INTERMITTENT BEEP
• BONESAW BUZZ/WHINE (gruesome)
• DENTAL DRILL HIGH-PITCHED WHINE
• BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF INFLATING HISS/VELCRO RIP
• OTOSCOPE CLICK (light turning on)
• SURGICAL TOOLS CLINKING (metal instruments on tray)

Vehicle Nuances:

• SUBWAY CAR RUMBLE/SCREECH ON CURVES/DOOR CHIME & WHOOSH
• OLD CAR ENGINE SPUTTERING/BACKFIRING
• TURBO WHISTLE/WHOOSH (car performance part)
• BICYCLE CHAIN SKIPPING/CLICKING / DERAILLEUR SHIFT CLICK
• HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE CLATTER/JINGLE (wheels, harness)
• SNOWMOBILE ENGINE WHINE/TRACKS CRUNCHING
• SAILBOAT LINES FLAPPING/HULL CREAKING (wind and water stress)
• HELICOPTER WHUMP-WHUMP-WHUMP (rotor blades chopping air)
• JET ENGINE ROAR/WHINE (takeoff, flyby)
• TRAIN HORN (various types - deep blast, crossing signal)
• SHIP FOGHORN (deep, resonant blast)
• MOTORCYCLE ENGINE ROAR/REV/IDLE (distinct from car, various types)
• TIRE SQUEAL (hard braking or cornering)
• DIESEL ENGINE RUMBLE/CLATTER (trucks, trains)

Weapon Handling/Misc:

• MAGAZINE LOADING CLICK/SNAP
• BOLT ACTION RIFLE CYCLE (CLACK-CLACK)
• WHIP CRACK
• TASERS CRACKLING ZAP
• GRENADE LAUNCHER THUMP (firing sound)
• FLAMETHROWER WHOOSH/ROAR
• CROSSBOW FIRING THWANG/BOLT WHOOSH
• WHISTLING ARROW (specific type, creates sound in flight)
• MARTIAL ARTS WHOOSHES (stylized punches/kicks, cloth movement)
• SHELL CASING TINKLE/CLATTER (hitting floor after ejection)
• SWORD UNSHEATHING (SHIING/SCRAPE) (blade sliding out of scabbard)
• BOW DRAWING (CREAK/TENSION) (wood flexing, string tightening)
• SLINGSHOT RELEASE TWANG (elastic snapping back)
• CANNON FIRE BOOM/WHISTLE (cannonball in flight sometimes added)
• ARTILLERY SHELL WHISTLE/SCREAM (incoming projectile)
• SAFETY CATCH CLICK (weapon being prepared/made safe)

V. HUMAN NON-VERBAL SOUNDS

Subtle Expressions:

• NERVOUS THROAT CLEARING (Ahem!)
• TONGUE CLICK (tsk tsk - disapproval or timing)
• SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH (shock, realization, pain)
• QUIET WEEPING / SNIFFLING (suppressed sorrow)
• MUFFLED LAUGHTER (stifled amusement)
• SHAKY SIGH (relief, exhaustion, sadness)
• PUFF OF AIR (exasperation, blowing hair from face)
• LIP SMACKING (eating, contemplation, satisfaction)
• TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM) (stress, anger, often subconscious)
• SHIVERING (TEETH CHATTERING) (cold, fear)
• INVOLUNTARY GASP (startle, sudden realization)
• LIP TREMBLING (sound implied with visual/context, precursor to crying)
• NASAL WHISTLE (slight obstruction when breathing)

Vocalizations:

• ULULATION (high-pitched, wavering wail - grief or celebration)
• CHANTING (rhythmic, repetitive vocalization, low or high)
• HUMMING (melodic or nervous/thoughtful)
• GARGLE (mouthwash, throat pain, liquid sound)
• MUMBLING / MUTTERING (indistinct speech, discontent)
• SCATTING (improvised jazz vocalization, nonsense syllables)
• SOBBING (broken, gasping weeping)
• WAILING (loud, prolonged cry of grief or pain)
• YELLING/SHOUTING/SCREAMING (anger, warning, fear, excitement)
• WHISPERING (conspiratorial, scared, intimate)
• COUGHING (dry, wet, hacking, persistent)
• SNEEZING (various sounds from Achoo! to suppressed sniffle-sneeze)
• GROANING/MOANING (pain, pleasure, effort, despair)
• CHEERING/APPLAUSE (crowd reaction)

Bodily Sounds:

• JOINT POP/CRACK (knuckles, neck, back)
• BORBORYGMUS (stomach rumbling/gurgling)
• TEETH CLICKING TOGETHER (deliberate or shivering)
• HICCUPS (single or sequence, diaphragm spasm)
• HEAVY EXHALATION (relief, fatigue, exertion)
• SLAPPING (skin on skin - high five, hit)
• KISSING SOUND (lips meeting)
• FLATULENCE (FART) (various comedic/gross options - puff, rip, trumpet)
• BURP/BELCH (release of gas from stomach)
• SWALLOWING GULP (drinking, nervousness)
• HEARTBEAT (audible through stethoscope or in extreme quiet/fear)

VI. ABSTRACT, ATMOSPHERIC & SCI-FI/FANTASY

Tension & Mood:

• SCRAPING VIOLIN STRING (high tension, nerve-grating)
• REVERBERATING DRUM BEAT (ominous, tribal, heartbeat-like)
• UNNERVING CHIME SEQUENCE (creepy, mysterious)
• DISTORTED LAUGHTER/CRYING (unsettling, madness)
• LOW THROBBING PULSE (mechanical, organic, building dread)
• SONAR PING (tension, searching, underwater, isolation)
• CLOCK TICKING LOUDLY (emphasizing time pressure, silence)
• HIGH-PITCHED FEEDBACK WHINE (audio loop, discomfort)
• DISCORDANT CHORD/STINGER (sudden, jarring musical sound)
• WATERPHONE EERIE TONES (metallic, resonant, ghostly water sounds)
• SHEPARD TONE (auditory illusion of endlessly rising/falling pitch)
• BREATHING (AMPLIFIED/DISTORTED) (intimacy, fear, Darth Vader)

Sci-Fi Staples:

• TELEPORTER HUM/SHIMMER/WARP SOUND
• FORCEFIELD BUZZ/CRACKLE/FAILING SPUTTER/IMPACT SHIMMER
• LASER SWORD IGNITION HUM/CLASH SIZZLE/DEACTIVATION WHOOSH
• SPACESHIP HYPERDRIVE WHINE/JUMP ROAR/ENGINE RUMBLE
• ALIEN CHITTERING/CLICKING/GUTTURAL LANGUAGE/SCREECH
• COMPUTER VOICE (MONOTONE/SYNTHESIZED/GLITCHING/FRIENDLY AI)
• RAY GUN ZAP/PEW/VWORP (classic sci-fi sounds)
• TRACTOR BEAM HUM/WHINE (capturing energy)
• AIRLOCK HISS/CLUNK (opening/closing, pressure change)
• SCANNER SWEEP/BEEP (medical, environmental)
• HOLOGRAM SHIMMER/ACTIVATION SOUND (visual appearing/disappearing)
• ENERGY SHIELD HUM/IMPACT ZAP (absorbing energy)
• ALIEN ATMOSPHERE WHISTLES/POPS/CRACKLES (exotic environment)
• ROBOTIC FOOTSTEPS (clank, whir-step, hydraulic hiss)
• WARP CORE HUM/THROB (power source instability/steadiness)
• COMPUTER BEEP/BLOOP (interface sounds)

Fantasy Elements:

• MAGICAL CHIME/SPARKLE/SHIMMER (positive magic, illusion)
• SPELL CASTING WHOOSH/CHANT/RUMBLE/CRACKLE (energy gathering/release)
• DRAGON ROAR/WING BEATS (LEATHERY WHOOSH)/FIRE BREATH ROAR/HISS
• GOBLIN GIGGLE/SNARL/CHATTER
• POTION BUBBLING/FIZZING/GLUGGING (being drunk)
• GHOSTLY MOAN/WHISPER/CHAIN RATTLING (cliché, use carefully)/COLD SPOT WHOOSH
• RUNESTONE GLOWING HUM (ancient magic activating)
• GRIFFIN SCREECH/WING BEATS (large avian predator)
• FAIRY WING FLUTTER (tiny, fast, high-pitched)
• ORC WARCRY/GROWL (deep, guttural, aggressive)
• MAGICAL BARRIER SHIMMER/CRACKLE/FAILING WARBLE
• TELEKINETIC HUM/STRAIN (object being moved by mind)
• DIVINE CHOIR/AURA SOUND (heavenly presence)
• DEMONIC GROWL/WHISPERS (evil presence)

Atmosphere/Ambience:

• HOSPITAL AMBIENCE (beeps, PA announcements, quiet footsteps, gurney wheels)
• BATTLEFIELD AMBIENCE (distant shots, shouts, explosions, vehicle rumble)
• MARKETPLACE HUBBUB (voices, bartering, animal sounds, footsteps, music)
• LIBRARY HUSH (page turns, coughs, chair scrapes, quiet footsteps)
• UNDERWATER AMBIENCE (muffled sounds, breathing bubbles, sonar, distant whale song)
• DEEP SPACE RUMBLE/SILENCE (stylistic choice - often a low hum or oppressive quiet)
• FOREST AMBIENCE (birds, rustling leaves, wind, distant animals, insects)
• CITY STREET AMBIENCE (traffic hum/horns, sirens, voices, construction distant)
• FACTORY AMBIENCE (machinery hum/clanks/hisses, conveyor belts, warning buzzers)
• CROWD MURMUR/ROAR (stadium, concert, protest - varies with emotion)
• SWAMP AMBIENCE (insects, frogs croaking, water drips, strange bird calls, mud plops)
• CAVERN AMBIENCE (drips, echoes, wind whistling through openings, perhaps creature sounds)
• ABANDONED HOUSE AMBIENCE (creaks, wind, rattling window, distant sounds)

VII. SOUND QUALIFIERS & MODIFIERS

• Quality: TINNY, BRASSY, REEDY, GUTTURAL, THROATY, BREATHY, HOLLOW, SOLID, CRISP, DULL, HARSH, SMOOTH, CLEAN, DISTORTED, GARBLED, WET, DRY, CRACKLING, SIZZLING, RESONATING, VIBRATING, SHARP, MUFFLED, VISCOUS, GRAINY, METALLIC, GLASSY, EARTHY, SYNTHETIC, ORGANIC
• Timing/Rhythm: INTERMITTENT, SPORADIC, CONTINUOUS, RHYTHMIC, STACCATO (short, detached), LEGATO (smooth, connected), ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, SUDDEN, ABRUPT, GRADUAL, BUILDING, FADING, ECHOING, REVERBERATING, PULSATING, ERRATIC, SYNCOPATED, DELAYED
• Intensity/Volume: FAINT, WHISPERING, SUBTLE, AUDIBLE, LOUD, DEAFENING, BOOMING, PIERCING, THUNDEROUS, SHRLL, MUTED
• Emotional/Psychological: JARRING, STARTLING, SOOTHING, CALMING, UNNERVING, OMINOUS, MENACING, FRANTIC, INSISTENT, ANNOYING, NOSTALGIC, MELANCHOLIC, JOYFUL, COMEDIC, PATHETIC, AGGRESSIVE, TENSE, PEACEFUL, MYSTERIOUS, EERIE, URGENT
• Perspective: DISTANT, CLOSE, NEARBY, OVERHEAD, UNDERFOOT, OFFSCREEN (O.S.), MUFFLED (through wall/door), UNDERWATER, FILTERED (phone/radio/mask), INSIDE (a container/vehicle/room), POINT-OF-VIEW (POV - e.g., hearing own heartbeat)

VIII. COMMON SOUND SEQUENCES

• Lock Picking: SCRAPING METAL, TUMBLERS CLICKING (one by one, varying pitches), TENSION WRENCH CREAK, FINAL CLICK (louder, solid), BOLT SLIDING OPEN (heavy scrape/clunk).
• Making Coffee (Drip Machine): WATER GURGLING (reservoir filling), FILTER PAPER RUSTLE, COFFEE SCOOPING (scrape/tap), MACHINE HISSING/DRIPPING (starts slow, becomes steady), FINAL SPUTTER (last drops), MUG CLINK (placing under spout), POURING GURGLE (into mug).
• Car Arrival: DISTANT ENGINE HUM (growing louder, specific engine tone), TIRES ON GRAVEL/ASPHALT (crunch/rumble), ENGINE IDLING (lower pitch), ENGINE CUTS OFF (sudden quiet, maybe slight sputter), CAR DOOR OPENS (mechanism CLICK/CREAK, interior light clicks on), FOOTSTEPS (on ground), CAR DOOR CLOSES (SOLID THUD/SLAM, maybe lock beep).
• Preparing Injection: VIAL TINKLE (glass on glass), NEEDLE CAP POP/TWIST, SYRINGE PLUNGER SQUISH/HISS (drawing liquid, air sound), TAP-TAP (fingernail on syringe removing bubbles), PLUNGER HISS/SQUISH (injecting), NEEDLE WITHDRAWAL (slight suction sound).
• Starting a Campfire: MATCH STRIKE (scrape/flare), FSSS (match catching), KINDLING CATCHING (gentle HISS/CRACKLE), SMALL WOOD ADDED (CLUNK/RUSTLE), FIRE GROWING (louder CRACKLE/WHOOSH), LARGER LOGS ADDED (THUD), ESTABLISHED FIRE ROAR/CRACKLE.
• Thunderstorm: DISTANT RUMBLE (low frequency), WIND PICKING UP (WHOOSH/WHISTLE through trees/buildings), FIRST RAINDROPS (SPATTER/TAPPING), CLOSER THUNDERCRACK (sharp, loud), HEAVY RAIN POUNDING/HISSING, GUSTS OF WIND, INTERMITTENT THUNDER.
• Emergency Room Arrival: SIREN WAILING (approaching, peaks, abruptly cuts off), AMBULANCE DOORS BANG OPEN (metal echo), GURNEY RATTLE (on pavement/floor), SHOUTED ORDERS/MEDICAL JARGON, QUICK FOOTSTEPS, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BEEPS/HISSES (heart monitor, oxygen), CURTAIN RINGS SWISHING SHUT.
• Sword Fight: SWORD UNSHEATHING (SHIING), FOOTWORK (scrapes, thuds), SWORD SWISH/WHOOSH (missing), CLANG/CLASH (blades meeting), PARRY SCRAPE, GRUNTING/EFFORT BREATHS, BODY BLOW THUD/SLAP, FINAL BLOW (thwack/squelch/clang), BODY FALL THUMP, SWORD DROPPING CLATTER.