HOUSTON SOUND LIBRARY
FEATURED SOUNDS
Downtown Houston - Grackles 04
Moody Park - Chimes Percussion
Northline Transit Center - Fiesta Shopping Cart
Second Ward - Bouncing Tire
Heights - Storm
2022 EVENTS
Stay Tuned!
#HOUSOUND
ABOUT HOUSTON SOUND LIBRARY
What does Houston sound like?
To answer this question, music artist and audio professional Andrew Karnavas explored Houston with professional audio recording equipment to capture its sounds, then edit and catalog them in this Creative Commons open-source sound library for you to enjoy and use for your own creative projects!
Houston sounds can provide auditory “color,” digital instrument samples, and sonic layers for music, podcasts, video games, and more. Explore the site and download any sounds that you would like to use — like all of our great libraries, it’s FREE!
AMBIENT
When you need to zen out, ambient sounds can be your most powerful auditory ally to create a soothing, calming environment. While Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, it has many places for peaceful moments and pockets of tranquility that provide soothing sounds.
Immerse yourself in the serene sounds of spaces like Allen’s Landing, Discovery Green, Emancipation Park, Hermann Park, Menil Collection, Moody Park and more.
PERCUSSION
Every machine click, every basketball bounce, every footstep … these are just some of the percussive sounds we make and hear every day. Walk to the beat of your own drum — and snare, high hat, and marimba! — with hundreds of sounds from Houston’s parks, playgrounds, sculptures, signs, trains, found objects and more.
You can even download sounds from transportation hubs like the Navigation Esplanade in East End Houston, METRO and its North Line Transit Center, and even Lee and Joe Jamail Skate Park and use them to create the soundtrack of your daily commute!
BIRDS
Did you know that millions of birds migrate through our region every year, and hundreds of species make their homes here? From herons to hawks, grackles to grosbeaks, owls to hummingbirds, and oh-so-many-more, listen to Nature’s original tweeters and see if you can identify which birds we’ve caught singing! They sound different all over the city.
To find new birds and capture their songs, just Visit Houston. Or invite the birds to your area by making your neighborhood more bird-friendly!
WATER
Water features and fountains are some of the most frequented highlights of Houston. They can be refreshing respites for all walks of life, from humans to squirrels to birds and other animals who visit and seek and oasis in our city. They can also be some of the most fun for pets and kids of all ages!
Take a breath, take a break, and get into the flow state with sounds from water features from the Downtown District, McGovern Centennial Gardens, and Houston Parks!
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