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Free Engine and Machine Sound Effects ​

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Engine audio is the one case where a single loop genuinely works, as long as you drive its playback rate from speed rather than triggering different clips. Find a steady idle loop, pitch it up with throttle, and you have something convincing in a few lines of code. Recordings taken from inside a vehicle and from outside it sound completely different, so decide which camera you're scoring before you pick.

Everything here is free to download from the source site. These results come from Freesound, OpenGameArt. Licences vary by file and are shown on each card. Nothing is hosted by us, and every link goes to the original page so you get the current version and the real licence terms.

F1 BR 06 Engine Starts.wavF1 BR 06 Engine Starts.wavFreesound · rfhacheCC (see page)EMD 567 engine notch 8 (synth recreation)EMD 567 engine notch 8 (synth recreation)Freesound · chungus43ACC (see page)Volvo S60 start & idle, engine EM258.wavVolvo S60 start & idle, engine EM258.wavFreesound · el-beeCC (see page)Engines_8.wavEngines_8.wavFreesound · TheEarthCollectiveCC (see page)Marine diesel engineMarine diesel engineFreesound · AugustSandbergCC (see page)Spaceship Engine - noise + heavy beep.wavSpaceship Engine - noise + heavy beep.wavFreesound · KnoplundCC (see page)Remix of 115271__Timbre__synthetic_low_rev_engine.flacRemix of 115271__Timbre__synthetic_low_rev_engine.flacFreesound · TimbreCC (see page)Motorcycle Engine_50Km/h.wavMotorcycle Engine_50Km/h.wavFreesound · Cmart94CC (see page)DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine)DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine)Freesound · SkyernAkleaCC (see page)motorcycle_nsuMax_1954_engine.wavmotorcycle_nsuMax_1954_engine.wavFreesound · photomonsterCC (see page)Engine2.wavEngine2.wavFreesound · jobroCC (see page)E-type Jaguar, car engine, rev, idle ,mono.wavE-type Jaguar, car engine, rev, idle ,mono.wavFreesound · Dan_AudioFileCC (see page)EngineWarmup_1-Loop.wavEngineWarmup_1-Loop.wavFreesound · LHermannsCC (see page)Engine 3Engine 3Freesound · JustInvokeCC (see page)Warp Engine Engage SoundWarp Engine Engage SoundOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCCar Engine Loop 96kHz, 4sCar Engine Loop 96kHz, 4sOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCEngine SoundEngine SoundOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCracing car engine sound loopsracing car engine sound loopsOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCEngine sounds(2)Engine sounds(2)OpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCJet Engine TakeoffJet Engine TakeoffOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCFighter Engine FlybyFighter Engine FlybyOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCEngine/Mechanic working soundEngine/Mechanic working soundOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCCar engine Start Up 02Car engine Start Up 02OpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCSpace Ship engine soundsSpace Ship engine soundsOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCCar engine start 01Car engine start 01OpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCENGINE ARCHONENGINE ARCHONOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCZeta Engine Demo Theme (String Section)Zeta Engine Demo Theme (String Section)OpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CCGolgotha Game Engine Soundtrack (pub domain) by Crack.comGolgotha Game Engine Soundtrack (pub domain) by Crack.comOpenGameArt · OpenGameArt CommunityVarious CC

Search all sound effects in the live asset library →

Using these sounds in a game ​

Download the highest quality version available, then convert for delivery rather than shipping the original. For the web, OGG Vorbis or compressed MP4 audio at a modest bitrate is fine for effects, and the difference is inaudible under gameplay.

Two habits cover most of the quality gap between hobby and professional audio: keep several variations of any sound that repeats, and randomise pitch slightly on playback. If you can't find the exact sound you need, the sound effect generator makes one from a text description, and the music generator handles the soundtrack.

Check the licence on each file. Freesound and OpenGameArt both host a mix of CC0, attribution, and share-alike work, and the requirements are per-file, not per-site.

Licences, briefly ​

CC0 means public domain: use it commercially, modify it, ship it, no credit required. That covers everything from Kenney, Quaternius, KayKit, Poly Haven, and AmbientCG.

Freesound and OpenGameArt host a mix. Some files are CC0, others are CC-BY (credit required) or CC-BY-SA (credit required and derivatives must carry the same licence, which is a real constraint on a commercial game). The licence is set per file by whoever uploaded it, so check the source page before you ship.

The complete guide to game asset licences covers what each one actually requires and where teams usually get it wrong.

More free sound effects ​

Free Footstep Sound Effects · Free Explosion Sound Effects · Free Ambient Sounds and Backgrounds · Free UI and Interface Sound Effects · Free Gun and Weapon Sound Effects · Free Water Sound Effects · Free Door and Interaction Sound Effects

Or search every source at once, and see the complete guide to free game assets for the full picture on where this art comes from and how to use it.