Spooky season is upon us and it’s the perfect time to hunker down and make boo-eats and “trick or tracks.”
To make your Halloween themed soundtrack you’ll need an ample selection of scary sounds, cursed samples, blood-curdling screams and horrifying SFX.
That’s why we’ve pieced together a list of the best scary sound packs and horror samples.
What—are you scared? Let’s dive in.
Worthy of a retro-horror soundtrack, the Neon Nightmare sample pack is your go-to for 80s themed synth drones, leads and chords.
Get samples that sound like they came from the opening credits of an old school slasher flick.
Our favorite sample from the pack: AANN_Bass_Neon_Dark_keyBmin_85bpm
If the sound pack’s namesake doesn’t give it away, this sample pack is based on the critically lauded soundtrack of a certain Netflix series involving a Demogorgon and the number eleven.
Fun fact: the ARP 2600 was the legendary synth that was used to make the series’ soundtrack.
Our favorite sample from the pack: ESR_SRS_Arp_Loops_4_Fmin_85bpm
Demonic cackles, howling werewolves, screaming demons. That’s what you’ll find in Dark & Scary Vocals.
Perfect for adding some SFX pads to your Halloween night DJ set.
Our favorite sample from the pack: Vocal_35_125bpm
Every Halloween DJ mix needs a mix of scary vocal cameos from a demonic sounding voice.
This sample pack delivers with scary sounding phrases and effects to remind your audience that it’s Halloween and it’s time to party.
Our favorite sample from the pack: 125BPM_DVL_DONT_CARE
This cursed vault of spooky samples is open for the taking. This is your go-to for, trap and drill samples that stay true to the horror trap sub-genre.
Find creeping leadlines, unsettling chord progressions and jarring trap drum loops.
Our favorite sample from the pack: AAID_Trap_Melodic Loop_160_Emin_sacred
Who doesn’t love when everything starts falling apart in a scary movie.
Personally, I find that moment when the monsters and beasts are unleashed and all hell breaks loose strangely comforting.
One thing is for sure, a scary climax won’t have any impact without some good monster sounds like the ones you’ll find in this sample pack.
Our favorite sample from the pack: ESM_One_Shot_Vocal_Sphinx_Monster_Attack_1_Saber_T
Okay, strings are definitely the scariest instrument. Listening to this pack reminded me of how nauseating and unsettling they can be.
And how much a simple dissonant drone over a slow-moving wide camera shot can create an incredibly scary atmosphere.
If you need strings that’ll make anyone’s hair stand up, this sample pack is for you.
Our favorite sample from the pack: Mildly_Perilous_Atmospheres_60BPM_Modal_1_ST
If a simple string arrangement doesn’t offer enough oomph for you, may I suggest the Horror & Mystery Symphonic Series where you’ll find horror-themed orchestral samples?
Get crawling woodwinds, dissonant compositions, spoken incantations, a demonic choir and more!
Our favorite sample from the pack: PL_SS11_01_Choir_42-52_120_A_Minor_Wet
Inspired by the dark industrial sounds of techno and house, this pack comes with everything you need to put a spooky atmosphere into your dance tracks.
Find pulsing scrapes, creepy vocal effects, cinematic effects that are reminiscent of something you might hear on an Ed Banger record.
Our favorite sample from the pack: Fx_3
If you’re still looking for that perfect horror sound here’s a great scary sound pack that’s full of sickening sounds, tense drones, creep sound effects and much more.
You’re bound to find what you need for your spooky track or scary film.
Our favorite sample from the pack: Drone_01_Em_125bpm