# Free white noise samples

> Free white, pink and brown noise samples and noise sweeps for risers, snare layers, transitions and sleep or focus sounds, each with a commercial-use verdict.

36 samples from 5 sources (OpenGameArt 8, Orange Free Sounds 8, Strudel sample banks 7, Wikimedia Commons 7, SoundBible 6), updated 2026-10-23. Picked from a live search and refreshed daily.

- Same search in the browser: https://sound.shep.bot/search?q=noise&category=fx.noise
- Same search over the API: `curl "https://sound.shep.bot/v1/search?q=noise&category=fx.noise"`
- Details, files and the credit line: `GET https://sound.shep.bot/v1/samples/{id}` with an id from the table below.
- Licence verdicts: "Commercial use OK" (with or without credit) is cleared for a release; anything else must be checked or is non-commercial. See https://sound.shep.bot/docs/licences.md

## The most useful sound with no pitch

Noise contains every frequency at once, which makes it a raw material for other sounds. Filter it and sweep the cutoff up, and you have a riser. Shape it with a short envelope, and it becomes a snare layer or a hi-hat. Leave it steady, and it masks distractions, which is why noise tracks are popular for sleep and focus.

## Colours of noise

White noise is the brightest; pink and brown noise put more energy into the low end. Producers usually reach for white noise for risers and snares and pink noise for reference mixing, since its spectrum is closer to how music is balanced. Synth-generated noise is easy to make yourself, but recorded noise sources such as tape hiss, radio static and air conditioners have character that a generator lacks.

Noise recordings are rarely contested for rights, and many are CC0. Each card still shows the verdict.

## Samples

| Sample | id | What | Source | Licence | Commercial use | Direct download |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [20220623 Noise pollution. Tomaszów Mazowiecki (60,000 population town), residential area](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20220623_Noise_pollution._Tomasz%C3%B3w_Mazowiecki_(60,000_population_town),_residential_area.oga) | `wikimediacommons:20220623_Noise_pollution._Tomaszów_Mazowiecki_(60,000_population_town),_residential_area.oga` | Noise, 2:17 | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Strange Noise](https://soundbible.com/1016-Strange-Noise.html) | `soundbible:1016-Strange-Noise` | Noise | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · noise · 0](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/noise/000_noise.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/noise/0` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [static noise similar to an untuned tv (also known as white noise)](https://opengameart.org/content/static-noise-similar-untuned-tv-also-known-white-noise) | `opengameart:static-noise-similar-untuned-tv-also-known-white-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Three Creepy Wall Clock Strikes With Mechanism Noise Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/three-creepy-wall-clock-strikes-with-mechanism-noise-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:58133` | Noise, 15 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Magic Wand Noise](https://soundbible.com/474-Magic-Wand-Noise.html) | `soundbible:474-Magic-Wand-Noise` | Noise | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Noise reduction in Audacity (0, 5, 12, 30 dB) (150Hz) (0.15 sec)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noise_reduction_in_Audacity_(0,_5,_12,_30_dB)_(150Hz)_(0.15_sec).ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Noise_reduction_in_Audacity_(0,_5,_12,_30_dB)_(150Hz)_(0.15_sec).ogg` | Noise, 39 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Warning Noise](https://opengameart.org/content/warning-noise) | `opengameart:warning-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Brown noise 15-00 8kbps](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_noise_15-00_8kbps.mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Brown_noise_15-00_8kbps.mp3` | Noise, 15:00 | Wikimedia Commons | CC0 1.0 | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Shopping Mall And Arcade Crowd Noise Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/shopping-mall-and-arcade-crowd-noise-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57891` | Noise, One-shot, 11 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Siren Noise](https://soundbible.com/1577-Siren-Noise.html) | `soundbible:1577-Siren-Noise` | Noise | SoundBible | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Background Rumble Noise](https://opengameart.org/content/background-rumble-noise) | `opengameart:background-rumble-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Noise in a telephone line](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noise_in_a_telephone_line.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:Noise_in_a_telephone_line.ogg` | Noise, One-shot, 5.5 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Loud Street Sweeper Machine Sound Effect – Urban Cleaning Vehicle Noise](https://orangefreesounds.com/loud-street-sweeper-machine-sound-effect-urban-cleaning-vehicle-noise/) | `orangefreesounds:55878` | Noise, 1:02 | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Chewbacca Wookie Noise](https://soundbible.com/484-Chewbacca-Wookie-Noise.html) | `soundbible:484-Chewbacca-Wookie-Noise` | Noise | SoundBible | Personal Use Only | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · casio · 2](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/casio/noise.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/casio/2` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Robot Noise](https://opengameart.org/content/robot-noise) | `opengameart:robot-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [White-noise-sound-20sec-mono-44100Hz](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White-noise-sound-20sec-mono-44100Hz.ogg) | `wikimediacommons:White-noise-sound-20sec-mono-44100Hz.ogg` | Noise, 20 s | Wikimedia Commons | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Loud Street Cleaning Machine Noise Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/loud-street-cleaning-machine-noise-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:55699` | Noise, 1:02 | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · noise2 · 0](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/noise2/000_0.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/noise2/0` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Brown noise 15-00 69kbps](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_noise_15-00_69kbps.mp3) | `wikimediacommons:Brown_noise_15-00_69kbps.mp3` | Noise, 15:00 | Wikimedia Commons | CC0 1.0 | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Retro Computer Noise](https://opengameart.org/content/retro-computer-noise) | `opengameart:retro-computer-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Wind Blowing Noise Loop Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/wind-blowing-noise-loop-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57557` | Noise, Loop, 44 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Yamaha RY30 · misc · 3](https://github.com/ritchse/tidal-drum-machines/blob/main/machines/YamahaRY30/yamahary30-misc/Noise.wav) | `strudel:tidal-drum-machines/YamahaRY30_misc/3` | Noise, One-shot | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [TV Static](https://soundbible.com/1611-TV-Static.html) | `soundbible:1611-TV-Static` | Noise | SoundBible | CC BY 3.0 | Commercial use OK with credit | yes |
| [Technology noise.](https://opengameart.org/content/technology-noise) | `opengameart:technology-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Urban Traffic Noise With Passing Tram – Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/urban-traffic-noise-with-passing-tram-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:55030` | Noise, 14 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Metal riff without and with noise gate (hard gating)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metal_riff_without_and_with_noise_gate_(hard_gating).wav) | `wikimediacommons:Metal_riff_without_and_with_noise_gate_(hard_gating).wav` | Noise, 19 s | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0 | Restricted: read the conditions | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · noise2 · 1](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/noise2/001_1.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/noise2/1` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Some animal noise](https://opengameart.org/content/some-animal-noise) | `opengameart:some-animal-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Rain Noise Loop – Realistic Rainfall Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/rain-noise-loop-realistic-rainfall-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:57499` | Noise, Loop, 36 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · noise2 · 2](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/noise2/002_2.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/noise2/2` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Record Static](https://soundbible.com/1574-Record-Static.html) | `soundbible:1574-Record-Static` | Noise | SoundBible | Public domain | Commercial use OK | yes |
| [Sirens and Alarm Noise](https://opengameart.org/content/sirens-and-alarm-noise) | `opengameart:sirens-and-alarm-noise` | Noise | OpenGameArt | OpenGameArt per-item licence | Unclear: check the terms | yes |
| [Waterfall And Birdsong Ambience – Nature White Noise Sound Effect](https://orangefreesounds.com/waterfall-and-birdsong-ambience-nature-white-noise-sound-effect/) | `orangefreesounds:55262` | Noise, 56 s | Orange Free Sounds | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Non-commercial only | yes |
| [Dirt-Samples · noise2 · 3](https://github.com/tidalcycles/Dirt-Samples/blob/master/noise2/003_3.wav) | `strudel:dirt-samples/noise2/3` | Noise | Strudel sample banks | No licence stated | Unclear: check the terms | yes |

## Questions

**What is the difference between white, pink and brown noise?**

White noise has equal energy per hertz, so it sounds bright and hissy. Pink noise falls by about 3 dB per octave, so it sounds more balanced. Brown (or red) noise falls by about 6 dB per octave and sounds like a deep rumble.

**Why do producers layer noise under a snare?**

A short burst of noise adds the 'snap' that a snare's wires make, and can make a thin snare sound bigger. Filter it and shape it with a short envelope so it ends with the snare.

## Related collections

- [Free riser sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-riser-sound-effects.md): Free riser and uplifter sound effects for build-ups before a drop: white noise sweeps, pitch risers and tension builds, each with a preview and licence verdict.
- [Free vinyl crackle samples](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-vinyl-crackle.md): Free vinyl crackle, record noise and tape hiss samples for lo-fi beats and warm, worn mixes, as loops and long takes, each with a preview and licence verdict.
- [Free glitch sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-glitch-sound-effects.md): Free glitch effects: stutters, digital errors, buffer repeats, bit-crushed bursts and data noise for electronic music, UI and video, with licences.
- [Free room tone recordings](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-room-tone.md): Free room tone and quiet interior ambience: empty rooms, offices, halls and hums to fill silence in film, podcasts and music, with a licence verdict.
- [Free downlifter sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-downlifter-sound-effects.md): Free downlifters and falling sweeps that release tension after a drop or lead out of a section, for EDM, trap and film edits, each with a licence verdict.
- [Free impact sound effects](https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-impact-sound-effects.md): Free impact and hit sound effects: cinematic booms, sub drops, braams and slams for drops, trailers and transitions, each with a preview and licence verdict.

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Source: https://sound.shep.bot/samples/free-white-noise-samples