TubeSum ← Transcribe a video

Use This Trick to Instantly Boost Viewer Retention

0h 06m video Published Jul 7, 2021 Transcribed Jul 29, 2026 Film Booth Film Booth
Beginner 5 min read For: Beginner YouTube creators looking to improve video retention through sound effects.
AI Trust Score 55/100
⚠️ Average / Some Fluff

"The title promises instant results, but the video delivers solid beginner advice that requires practice to implement effectively."

AI Summary

This video is a beginner's guide to using sound design in YouTube videos to boost viewer retention. The creator explains three easy places to add sound effects: b-roll, transitions, and text, and discusses common mistakes and where to find sounds.

[00:01]
Brain Reward from Sound

Sound design gives the brain a little reward or 'high', motivating viewers to continue watching.

[00:40]
Three Easy Places for Sound Design

Creators should focus on b-roll, transitions, and text to add sound effects effectively.

[01:07]
Sound Design for B-Roll

Add sound effects that match the on-screen action, e.g., using a gun sound for a lens cap click.

[02:53]
Timing and Matching Sounds

Properly time sound effects with visuals in editing software to create a cohesive experience.

[03:05]
Using Atmos for Tension

Add atmospheric sounds to build tension and enhance storytelling in b-roll sequences.

[03:43]
Sound Design for Transitions

Use whoosh sounds to wake up the audience during scene changes, matching speed to sound duration.

[04:47]
Sound Design for Text

Add typing sounds for text animations or crash sounds for impact text to make them stand out.

[05:15]
Common Mistake: Same Sound

Avoid using the same whoosh for every transition; vary sounds to keep viewers engaged.

[05:33]
Volume Adjustment

Ensure sound effects don't compete with the narrative; keep volume low enough to avoid distraction.

[05:59]
Where to Get Sounds

Epidemic Sound and mixkit.io are recommended sources for quality sound effects; editing software also has built-in banks.

Sound design is a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can significantly improve viewer retention. Start by adding sounds to b-roll, transitions, and text, and avoid using the same sound repeatedly.

Mentioned in this Video

Tutorial Checklist

1 00:40 Identify three areas to add sound design: b-roll, transitions, and text.
2 01:07 Add sound effects to b-roll that match on-screen action (e.g., coffee machine, door creak).
3 02:53 Match the timing of sound effects with visuals in your editing software.
4 03:43 Use whoosh sounds for transitions, ensuring the speed matches the sound duration.
5 04:47 Add typing sounds for text animations or crash sounds for impact text.
6 05:15 Avoid using the same whoosh sound for every transition; vary sounds.
7 05:33 Adjust volume so sound effects don't compete with the narrative.

Study Flashcards (5)

What three elements of a video can benefit from sound design?

easy Click to reveal answer

B-roll, transitions, and text.

00:40

Why should you avoid using the same whoosh sound for every transition?

medium Click to reveal answer

It becomes annoying and distracts viewers.

05:15

Name two sources for free sound effects mentioned.

easy Click to reveal answer

mixkit.io and editing software sound banks.

06:24

What is the primary purpose of sound design according to the video?

medium Click to reveal answer

To give the brain a reward and boost retention.

00:01

How should you match sound effects to visual transitions?

hard Click to reveal answer

Ensure the speed of the transition matches the duration of the sound.

04:33

💡 Key Takeaways

💡

Brain Reward from Sound

Explains the psychological basis for why sound design improves retention.

00:01
📊

Three Easy Places

Provides a simple framework for beginners to start using sound design.

00:40
🔧

Avoid Same Sound

Highlights a common mistake that can ruin the effect of sound design.

05:15
📊

Sound Sources

Gives actionable resources for finding sounds, including free options.

05:59

[00:01] is a clip from my previous video with sound design now this is basically i guess a high and then that motivates us to do those actions again and it turns out the rewarding social interactions and this

[00:14] is basically your brain giving you a little reward or i guess a high and then again for years i was like yeah i get that adding sound effects will make videos better but i just didn't bother doing it and i think that's often

[00:28] what happens with us youtube creators we focus too much on getting our content touches that can make all of the difference to your attention and those little extra tweaks played a big part in helping our channel do this

[00:40] show you three easy places to use sound design it to help you take that leap which i guarantee you will make your content you definitely do not want to do as well as where to get your sounds from so

[00:54] let's start with how to use sound design in your youtube videos so this is a beginner's guide sound design if i simplify it it's just using sound adding a sound effect could be something like this or

[01:07] or something that's a little bit more atmospheric like this there's three you should really consider using sound design to get started b-roll transitions at using it with b-roll to start now i've shot this demo clip that you can

[01:21] up the sound in it together to make it tell a story that wouldn't be possible add sound effects to your videos that are the exact same sound as the thing on screen this is a lens getting put onto a

[01:35] and that's actually the sound of a gun it's strange but sometimes using sounds actually sounds more like the thing you're trying to imitate works this not what's about scientifically accurate so really this

[01:49] is just a case of thinking about what needs sound adding to it and the stick out and work so here we've got a coffee machine so the obvious place to now you don't want to just use it on the clothes because when we cut to the wider

[02:03] see it the sound here has to keep going with complete think about that it's not just about what's on screen now what we need about what's on screen now what we need is a noise to get my attention

[02:21] [Music] sorry about that last one i'm just really juvenile now i want the noise of some floorboards and then a door worry i'm gonna be telling you how to get those later on in the video now

[02:34] get those later on in the video now let's watch that back

[02:53] case of finding a sound effect that matches what's on screen timing it in your editing software now we're going to keep in a lot of those more and then some atmos to it to make it

[03:05] and then some atmos to it to make it feel tense

[03:30] so after a bit of rummaging i came up and as the character gets closer to the mysterious sound gets more intense and then there's the climax and bam i could do this all day with all kinds of

[03:43] different story but hopefully you can see the benefits of doing this using it with transitions so this is a transition and you're editing software you will probably have ones that you can use but i would go

[03:55] ones that you can use but i would go so far to say as 90 of the transitions restaurant transitions are best used when we need of mood or a change of direction and unless you're

[04:08] use these transitions sparingly using sound with the movements a really good way to make your audience wake up are going to apply here as the b-roll and of course i've built a demo clip so

[04:21] and of course i've built a demo clip so let's check it out now without sound or change a scene simply adding like a whoosh sound

[04:33] to it is effective now you need to make sure you put your whoosh to make sure the speed of the transition matches the sound because look what matches the sound because look what happens if it's slightly off

[04:47] the transition faster and then make the sound shorter and that's kind of more and then the next example you can try and this is the easiest by far is to with text so let's have a look at that the text type on effect like this

[05:01] doesn't really give its full impact until you add a little typing sound letters or you could go for impact text and add a crash a smash or even a punch sound to make your point really stand out and before i show you where to get

[05:15] not to do with sound whatever you do don't do this with sound use a whoosh sound for transitions or versions of that sound i'll show you what i mean

[05:33] of that sound i'll show you what i mean this is annoying right but if i do this you don't even want youtube viewers to register that you've put these sounds in the timing wrong it will totally put your viewers on

[05:47] the volume of your sound is also really important ideally you need to make sure it doesn't compete with the narrative of your videos and distract you also washes and smashes are fun but it really kind of suits more playful

[05:59] videos i might look out a place and that'll be about what works for your viewer not for you so where do you get these sounds that's a good question i'm glad you asked well sounds

[06:11] pretty cool um we use that for the majority of our videos backing track i'm being totally honest i only upgraded to get sound effects for the last i've done it i'm kicking myself i didn't do it sooner the free option is this

[06:24] can use the sound search select your option and then make sure you read the terms and conditions for each sound effect so you issues there's also mixkit.io which has some pretty good free options but just

[06:37] may need to put a link in your description to let people know where you've gotten from and actually most good editing software will have a bank and then you need to watch this video here to make the b-roll that you're

[06:49] here to make the b-roll that you're gonna use these sounds with

More from Film Booth

View all

⚡ Saved you 0h 06m reading this? Transcribe any YouTube video for free — no signup needed.