ElevenLabs Sound Effects

Generate sound effects from text descriptions — supports looping, custom duration, and prompt adherence control.

Setup: See Installation Guide. For JavaScript, use @elevenlabs/* packages only.

Quick Start

Python

from elevenlabs import ElevenLabs

client = ElevenLabs()

audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert( text="Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain", )

with open("thunder.mp3", "wb") as f: for chunk in audio: f.write(chunk)

JavaScript

import { ElevenLabsClient } from "@elevenlabs/elevenlabs-js"; import { createWriteStream } from "fs";

const client = new ElevenLabsClient(); const audio = await client.textToSoundEffects.convert({ text: "Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain", }); audio.pipe(createWriteStream("thunder.mp3"));

cURL

curl -X POST "https://api.elevenlabs.io/v1/sound-generation"
-H "xi-api-key: $ELEVENLABS_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json"
-d '{"text": "Thunder rumbling in the distance with light rain"}'
--output thunder.mp3

Parameters

Parameter Type Default Description

text

string (required) — Description of the desired sound effect

model_id

string eleven_text_to_sound_v2

Model to use

duration_seconds

number | null null (auto) Duration 0.5–30s; auto-calculated if null

prompt_influence

number | null 0.3 How closely to follow the prompt (0–1)

loop

boolean false Generate a seamlessly looping sound (v2 model only)

Examples with Parameters

Looping ambient sound, 10 seconds

audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert( text="Gentle forest ambiance with birds chirping", duration_seconds=10.0, prompt_influence=0.5, loop=True, )

Short UI sound, high prompt adherence

audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert( text="Soft notification chime", duration_seconds=1.0, prompt_influence=0.8, )

Output Formats

Pass output_format as a query parameter (cURL) or SDK parameter:

Format Description

mp3_44100_128

MP3 44.1kHz 128kbps (default)

pcm_44100

Raw uncompressed CD quality

opus_48000_128

Opus 48kHz 128kbps — efficient compressed

ulaw_8000

μ-law 8kHz — telephony

Full list: mp3_22050_32 , mp3_24000_48 , mp3_44100_32 , mp3_44100_64 , mp3_44100_96 , mp3_44100_128 , mp3_44100_192 , pcm_8000 , pcm_16000 , pcm_22050 , pcm_24000 , pcm_32000 , pcm_44100 , pcm_48000 , ulaw_8000 , alaw_8000 , opus_48000_32 , opus_48000_64 , opus_48000_96 , opus_48000_128 , opus_48000_192 .

Prompt Tips

• Be specific: "Heavy rain on a tin roof" > "Rain"

• Combine elements: "Footsteps on gravel with distant traffic"

• Specify style: "Cinematic braam, horror" or "8-bit retro jump sound"

• Mention mood/context: "Eerie wind howling through an abandoned building"

Error Handling

try: audio = client.text_to_sound_effects.convert(text="Explosion") except Exception as e: print(f"API error: {e}")

Common errors:

• 401: Invalid API key

• 422: Invalid parameters (check duration range, prompt_influence range)

• 429: Rate limit exceeded

References

• Installation Guide