---
name: elevenlabs-sound-effects
description: Generate AI sound effects from text descriptions using the inference.sh CLI, with control over duration and prompt influence.
---

> **Install the belt CLI skill:** `npx skills add belt-sh/cli`

# ElevenLabs Sound Effects

Generate sound effects from text descriptions via [inference.sh](https://inference.sh) CLI.

![Sound Effects](https://cloud.inference.sh/u/4mg21r6ta37mpaz6ktzwtt8krr/01jz01qvx0gdcyvhvhpfjjb6s4.png)

## Quick Start

> Requires inference.sh CLI (`belt`). [Install instructions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/inference-sh/skills/refs/heads/main/cli-install.md)

```bash
belt login

# Generate a sound effect
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{"text": "Thunder rumbling in the distance"}'
```


## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `text` | string | Description of the sound effect (max 1000 chars) |
| `duration_seconds` | number | Duration 0.5-22 seconds (optional, auto if omitted) |
| `prompt_influence` | number | 0-1, how literal to interpret prompt (default: 0.3) |

## Examples

### Cinematic Effects

```bash
# Epic trailer hit
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{"text": "Cinematic braam, deep bass impact"}'

# Suspense drone
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Dark atmospheric drone, tension building, horror",
  "duration_seconds": 10
}'

# Whoosh transition
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Fast cinematic whoosh transition",
  "duration_seconds": 1.5
}'
```

### Nature & Environment

```bash
# Rain
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Heavy rain on a tin roof with occasional thunder",
  "duration_seconds": 15
}'

# Forest ambience
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Forest ambience with birds chirping and gentle wind",
  "duration_seconds": 20
}'

# Ocean waves
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Ocean waves crashing on a beach, calming",
  "duration_seconds": 15
}'
```

### Game Audio

```bash
# Power-up
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Retro game power-up sound, ascending tones",
  "duration_seconds": 1
}'

# Explosion
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Sci-fi laser explosion, futuristic",
  "duration_seconds": 3
}'

# UI click
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Soft UI button click, subtle and clean",
  "duration_seconds": 0.5
}'
```

### Everyday Sounds

```bash
# Doorbell
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{"text": "Classic doorbell ring"}'

# Typing
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Mechanical keyboard typing, fast, clicky",
  "duration_seconds": 5
}'

# Notification
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Pleasant notification chime, positive",
  "duration_seconds": 1
}'
```

## Prompt Influence

Control how literally the model interprets your description:

| Value | Effect | Best For |
|-------|--------|----------|
| 0.0 | Very loose interpretation | Creative, surprising results |
| 0.3 | Balanced (default) | General purpose |
| 0.7 | Close to description | Specific sound needs |
| 1.0 | Very literal | Exact sound reproduction |

```bash
# Loose interpretation - creative result
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Magical fairy dust sparkle",
  "prompt_influence": 0.1
}'

# Literal interpretation - precise result
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Single gunshot, pistol, indoor range",
  "prompt_influence": 0.8
}'
```

## Prompt Tips

**Be specific**: "Heavy rain on metal roof" > "rain sound"

**Include context**: "Footsteps on gravel, slow walking pace" > "footsteps"

**Describe mood**: "Eerie wind howling through abandoned building" > "wind"

**Specify material**: "Glass shattering on concrete floor" > "breaking glass"

## Workflow: Add SFX to Video

```bash
# 1. Generate sound effect
belt app run elevenlabs/sound-effects --input '{
  "text": "Dramatic reveal swoosh with bass drop",
  "duration_seconds": 2
}' > sfx.json

# 2. Merge with video
belt app run infsh/media-merger --input '{
  "media": ["video.mp4", "<sfx-url>"]
}'
```

## Use Cases

- **Video Production**: Transitions, impacts, ambience
- **Game Development**: UI sounds, effects, environments
- **Podcasts**: Stingers, transitions, atmosphere
- **Film/Animation**: Foley, ambience, scoring elements
- **Presentations**: Attention-grabbing sound cues
- **Social Media**: Short-form content audio

## Related Skills

```bash
# ElevenLabs music generation
npx skills add inference-sh/skills@elevenlabs-music

# ElevenLabs TTS (combine voice with effects)
npx skills add inference-sh/skills@elevenlabs-tts

# AI music generation (Diffrythm, Tencent)
npx skills add inference-sh/skills@ai-music-generation

# Full platform skill (all 250+ apps)
npx skills add inference-sh/skills@infsh-cli
```

Browse all audio apps: `belt app store --category audio`