Super Sound Effects for Halloween

Thanks to the Internet, you have hundreds of Halloween sound effects at your disposal. You can download MP3s, wav files and more that cover the entire range of options.

Suppose you plan to build a graveyard scene in your front yard. You've lit the scene and now you're ready for the final touch. Just think of all those camp horror movies with the about-to-be victims skulking through a darkened cemetery. What do they play in the background? A loop of ghoulish organ music would be the perfect choice.

For candy-seeking visitors to the front door, your options are broad. One great way to make a selection is to comb through old movie soundtracks. Hollywood filmmakers of the 1940s made tons of silly, spooky films. The background tracks featured everything from light-hearted ghostbusters themes to cheesy dramatic music ala Dracula.

Apart from background music, there are lots of sound effects that can add just the right atmosphere to your Halloween holiday.

Breaking window sounds of shattering glass are a great auditory 'decoration'. Everyone jumps whenever they hear that. After the initial 'crash' you can follow it with the tinkling sounds of shards falling to the ground. Then, play a little ghostly cackling combined with the sounds of the departed walking over the pieces. Punctuate the effect with some "ouch, ouch, aye my foot!" ghostly voices.

Compilation CDs are an easy way to get all the Halloween sound effects you need. They offer evil laughs, screams, booming thunder and a whole host of other useful sounds.

Creaking doors are a must, of course. They're easy to find and you can put a speaker near the front door to play the sound every time you greet the trick-or-treaters. Or, navigate to the track that plays a crash of thunder just as you flash the 'lightning' (a strobe light) when you open the door.

Animal sounds always make for excellent additions to the sound effects toolkit. Hooting owls are standard. But snarling wolves are a good idea, too. Add some bears growling in the forest, swarms of bats on the wing, and a few howling hyenas and you're ready to go.

Add a wide range of music and sound effects to your Halloween scene and you'll create a fun time for all.