How To Use Angelic Sound Effects To Evoke the Supernatural

Angelic sound effects are fairly common in film and games, but oddly enough, they’re rarely heard during scenes involving actual angels. Ethereal harps and vocals are more commonly heard in ordinary humans situations. When characters feel refreshed or illuminated by a power greater than themselves, these are the sounds that run.

For this article, we’ll be sharing a collection of angelic sounds from famous films, tv shows, and games. They’re closer to sound design and film scoring than foley. You’ll notice that some of the examples are quiet, or low in the mix. They don’t need to draw attention to themselves. We’re not dealing with knocking sounds, gunshots and explosions.

Below you can listen to a handpicked selection of royalty free angel sound effects from the Audio Design Desk collection. These wav files are available for download at no cost. If you like what you hear but need a bigger collection, sign up for a free copy of ADD and get access the full library.

1. Lord of the Rings, Gladiator: Cinematic angels singing

Almost every adventure and fantasy film has a climactic scene where angelic sound effects can be heard. Yet those sound effects rarely belong to the voice of actual angel characters from the movie. Instead, they enter as a layer of the soundtrack or as part of the sonic ambience during a cinematic transition.

This scene below from The Hobbit depicts the arrival of Bilbo at a Rivendell. It’s an iconic moment in the film where the character experiences a sense of breathtaking awe at the landscape’s natural beauty. Notice how the single angelic tone and the augmented arpeggio in the orchestra create a sense of mystery together:

A more nuanced melody can be heard in Gladiator (2000). Drenched in reverb, the vocals portray a kind of transcendental state. Nature sounds like birds and a long, drawn out whoosh sound rustle the leaves as Maximus leaves his body for a moment. He makes a final statement before dropping dead. The angelic vocal track over the film’s score hints at the afterlife.

Similar monophonic vocal melodies can be heard during the Battle of Helm in Lord of the Rings. As massive armies rush toward each other, the choral sound of angels singing offers a place of refuge for the audience. The music alone conveys a spiritual refuge from the violence on screen.

2. The Simpsons, Monty Python: Angelic choirs for satire

We’re all familiar with the opening credits to the Simpsons. As the clouds in heaven part, the angelic choir sings a heavenly major chord. The show’s title appears and the camera swoops down to Springfield where everyone’s crazy antics are out on display.

Composer Danny Elfman’s use of the “ahh” choir sound effect was pure satire. The angelic voice only makes sense up in the clouds. Other classic films have used the same technique in jest, like this scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail when God speaks to King Arthur:

Here once again we see the parting clouds and “Hallelujah” style major chord. Functionally, the Monty Python scene treats this as a music sound effect whereas the Simpsons used the chord with a vocal melody to create the show’s theme.

3. The Simpsons, Zelda: Angelic harp sound effects

So far we’ve only focused on angelic vocals, but harps are another common instrument used in heavenly music. Sound effects involving a harp are distinct from soundtracks and compositions that include a harp in them.

The most common use of angelic harps are for a feeling of being transported. In the scene below, Marge Simpson is literally brought to the pearly gates of Heaven. There are no angels in sight, so this is a non-diegetic layer of sound design.

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that several film and video game soundtracks have used harp to create a mystical reverie. The most famous example of our generation is probably the Fairy Fountain theme from The Legend of Zelda, that has been reused through almost every installment of the series.

The intro to Zelda’s Fairy Fountain theme is internationally popular and has achieved meme status on social media, finding its way into countless videos on TikTok and Instagram.

4. SpongeBob, Daemon’s Souls: Angelic wind chimes

If harps represent the divine will of the angels, wind chimes represent something even subtler. Maybe it’s related to the age old connection between wind and spirit. When the spirit moves, the angels speak through these delicate, dangling pieces.

Wind chimes are used in film to represent a mystical force or transition, much like the strumming of a harp. In fact, you will often hear the two played simultaneously. Takes this example from Spongebob Squarepants (1999) where they mark the passage into a new world:

Similar sound fx have been used to signal healing effects. Take this example from the sci fi video game Demon’s Souls (2020). Each spell is called a miracle and synth chime sfx are used to indicate the presence of angelic magic.

As you understand by now, these sounds all share a common uplifting quality, even when used satirically. Download more free music from Audio Design Desk using the embedded player at the top of this article, or by signing up at our website. Browse our tutorials and pull sounds from audio templates with over 70,000+ sounds and music.