Generate sound effects using text prompts

Last updated on Sep 4, 2025

Learn how to generate unique sound effects from text descriptions using the Text to sound effects feature.

Try it in the app
Generate sound effects by using text prompts in a few simple steps.

Text to sound effects (beta) allows you to generate sound effects using simple text descriptions. Whether you're working on a video, social media post, or any other project that needs sound effects, this feature in the Firefly web app, available on desktop and mobile browsers, helps save time and boost creativity by making sound effect generation quick and easy.

Watch Text to sound effects in action and learn how to generate sound effects using simple text descriptions.

You can generate sound effects or upload video and audio files to layer additional sounds to craft an engaging and immersive audio-visual experience. This feature generates sound effects and ambient sounds, but it cannot be used to create music or speech.

Original video

Video generated using the Text to Video feature. Prompt used: "A stream running in the middle of the Amazon forest, lush foliage, moss-covered stones, clear water."

Video with sound effect

Prompt used to generate sound effect: "a relaxing stream babbling sound."

Video with layered sound effects

Prompt for the first sound effect: "A relaxing stream babbling sound."
Prompt for the second sound effect: "Birds chirping in the deep forest."

Generate sound effects

On the Adobe Firefly homepage, go to the Audio module and select Text to sound effects (beta).

In the Prompt field, add a description of the sound effect you want to generate. 

Tip

Explore some effective text prompt writing techniques for sound effects generation.

On the Generate Sound Effects page, there's a prompt section where you can enter a text description to generate a sound effect. The current text prompt is - 'a relaxing stream babbling sound.
Provide a detailed description of the sound effect you'd like to generate.

Note

Currently, only English is supported for text prompts.

Select Generate   .

The sound effect variations appear above the timeline. Use the play icon on each option to listen, then select your preferred variation to add to your timeline.

A collection of generated sound effects is available below the preview panel. You can use the play button to listen to and preview these sound effects.
Play and preview the generated sound effect variations before adding one to the timeline.

The selected sound effect will be added to the timeline at the current position of the playhead. 

To move the sound effect along the timeline, hover your cursor over it, then use the grab cursor   to drag it to your desired position.

When you select the sound effect added to the timeline, you get the options to mute it, adjust the volume, download, rename, or delete it.

The sound effect added in the timeline is selected and there are editing options to use. These editing options include mute, volume, download, and delete.
Use the editing tools to make changes to the generated sound effects right on the timeline.

Tip

To trim a generated sound effects clip, drag the trim handles at either end inward to shorten it. After trimming, move the clip along the timeline to reposition it as needed.

To add another sound effect to the same audio track, move the playhead to the desired position and reprompt to generate a sound effect. To layer multiple sounds, create an additional audio track by selecting Add Audio Track, then use the Prompt bar to generate a new one.

Above the timeline where the audio is listed, the Add Audio Track option is highlighted. It also has a tooltip that mentions that you can add upto 5 audio tracks to the timeline.
Use Add Audio Track to generate another sound effect and add it to the timeline.

Once the newly generated sound effect is added, you can use the spacebar or the main play button above the timeline to play and preview your composition. To download the composed sound clip, use the Download option.

Generate and add sound effects to a video or audio file

On the Adobe Firefly homepage, select Text to sound effects (beta).

On the Generate sound effects page, select Upload media to upload a video or audio file that you want to use for composing sound effects.

On the Generate Sound Effects page, you can upload a media file using the provided button. The page also specifies the ideal length and formats for optimal results.
Select the Browse file option to upload a file in .mp4, .mp3, .mov, .wav, or .aac format.

Note
  • The uploaded file should be a maximum of 30 seconds long.
  • Currently, .mp4, .mp3, .mov, .wav, and .aac formats are supported. 

After uploading the file, you can preview it by selecting the play option or using the spacebar in the preview panel.

The video is added to the timeline and there is an option to preview the added video.
Use the play option to preview the video or audio clip added to the timeline.

Position the playhead at the point in the timeline where you want to add the sound effect.

The playhead is positioned at the point in the timeline where the generated sound effect will be added.
Navigate through the timeline and find the spot where you want to place the playhead to add the sound effects.

In the Prompt field, add a text description of the sound effect you want to generate. 

On the Generate Sound Effects page, there's a prompt section where you can enter a text description to generate a sound effect. The current text prompt is - 'a relaxing stream babbling sound.
Add a description of the sound effect you'd like to generate.

Select Generate   and select one of the generated sound effect variations to insert it at the playhead's position in the timeline.

A collection of generated sound effects is available below the preview panel. You can use the play button to listen to and preview these sound effects.
Preview different sound effect variations and choose one to add to the timeline.

Tip

To replace a sound effect in the timeline, first select the existing sound effect, then select a replacement from the generated variations.

Select the sound effect in the timeline to edit it using the available options - mute or adjust the volume. You can also download, rename, or delete it.

The sound effect added in the timeline is selected and there are editing options to use. These editing options include mute, volume, download, and delete.
Use the available editing options to directly edit the generated sound effects within the timeline.

To add another sound effect on the same track, place the playhead where you want it and generate a sound effect. To layer sounds, add a new audio track by selecting the Add Audio Track option and use a text prompt bar to create one.

Select the sound effect variation you want to add as an additional layer to the timeline. Once it's added to the timeline, use the grab cursor to reposition it if needed.

Tip

You can also trim the generated sound clip by dragging the trim handles inward from either end to shorten it.

Use the Play   icon or spacebar to preview your composition and the Download   option to download the composed clip.

Generate sound effects using the Firefly mobile web app

Go to the Firefly website using any one of the supported browsers.

Tap the Audio module and select Voice to sound effects (beta).

On the Generate SFX screen, tap the Generate sound effects button.

The Generate SFX (beta) page is open and there is a Generate sound effects button is highlighted.
Use the Generate sound effects button to enable the prompt bar.

If you want to add a video and generate sound effects for it, use the Upload icon. Once added, it will start reflecting in the timeline.

The Upload button is highlighted so that you can add a video for which you want to generate sound for.
Use the upload button to add a video for which you want to generate sound for.

Scroll through the timeline and place the playhead at the exact position where you want to generate and insert the sound effect.

Select the Short sound option from the available options.

  • Short Sound: Generate a sound effect using a brief text description.
  • Timed sound with your video: Use your voice to convey volume and energy, and combine it with text prompts to generate sound effects.
Short Sound and Timed sound with your video options are available to choose from. The Short Sound option is selected to generate a sound effect using a brief text description.
Select the Short Sound option to generate a sound effect using a brief text description.

In the prompt bar, add a description of the sound effect you want to generate and tap the Generate   icon.

Play and preview the generated variations and select the one you want, and then tap Add sound effects.

The Short Sound Variations option is open, and four different generated variations are available to choose from. There is also an option to add the sound effects to the timeline.
Go through the generated variations and add one of the generated sound effects to the timeline.

Position the playhead on the same audio track to create another sound effect, then use the Prompt bar to generate it. For layered audio, add a new track by selecting the   icon and generate a fresh sound effect on that track.

The generated sound effect is added to the timeline, and you can edit it. You can also generate and add a new sound effect.
You have the option to generate and add multiple sound effects to the timeline.

When you select a sound effect added to the timeline, you have the options to mute it, adjust the volume, download it, rename it, or delete it.

The generated sound effect is selected and the edit options are available for you to use.
Use the edit options that appear when you select a generated sound effect variation.

Use the play button to preview the sound effect and use the   icon to access the download option.

The Download option is highlighted so you can download the composed audio or video clip.
Use the Download option to download the composed audio or video clip.