Skip to main content

Sound Effects

Risers sound effects

Epidemic Sound's collection of royalty-free riser sound effects is your essential tool for creating suspense and anticipation. Every great drop, reveal, or transition needs a powerful build-up. Find everything from subtle tonal sweeps to intense cinematic crescendos, all cleared for monetization on all platforms. Browse the collection, download the perfect riser sound, and captivate your audience with bigger moments.

Create free account

Want more music?

Explore our full catalog with 50,000 tracks and 200,000 sound effects

Create free account
  • What is a riser sound effect used for?

    A riser is a sound effect that gradually builds in pitch, volume, or intensity. Creators & filmmakers use risers as an essential tool to build suspense, create anticipation before a music drop, emphasize a scene change, or add a powerful, cinematic feel to a major reveal in their video.

  • How do I use a riser effectively in my video edit?

    For maximum impact, place the riser on your timeline so its peak aligns perfectly with the key moment you want to emphasize, like a visual cut, a title reveal, or a shocking moment. You can also layer a riser with a fade-to-white or a quick zoom effect to create an even more powerful and professional transition.

  • Are all these risers cleared for use on YouTube?

    Yes, every riser sound effect in Epidemic Sound's catalog is fully cleared for monetization. When you subscribe, you simply safelist your channels (like YouTube and Instagram). This process protects your content automatically, so you can build tension in your videos without ever worrying about copyright claims.

  • What's the difference between a riser, a swell, and a whoosh?

    A riser builds tension upwards. A swell is similar but often has a smoother, more musical quality and may fade back out. A whoosh is a fast-moving sound effect used to signify quick motion or a rapid transition, like something flying past the screen. You can often use a riser followed by a whoosh for a complete transitional effect.

  • How can I find different types of risers, like short vs. long?

    Epidemic Sound's catalog makes it easy to find the perfect riser. You can use the search bar with descriptive terms like "short riser," "long tension," "cinematic crescendo," or "sci-fi sweep." You can also use the filters to sort sound effects by duration or energy level to quickly narrow down the results to fit your project's needs.