Getting started

SFX Stacks works with your own local sound libraries. Install the app, add your folders, let it scan, and start searching.

You can begin testing searches before the full scan finishes.

1. Download and install

Download the correct version for your system from the Download page.

  • Windows 10/11 and macOS (Apple Silicon) builds are available
  • No account is required for the trial
  • Your files stay on your machine

2. Launch SFX Stacks for the first time

When you open SFX Stacks for the first time, it downloads the required packages and model.

  • The first-time setup download is a few gigabytes
  • This only happens once on first launch
  • App updates do not re-download everything

Your 14-day trial starts on first launch and includes all features.

3. Add your sound libraries

Open the Sources page and click Add source to choose the folders you want to scan.

Start with your most-used libraries first so you can begin testing searches sooner, then add more later.

Add source folders

4. Start scanning

After adding one or more sources, click Run queue to start scanning.

SFX Stacks can queue multiple sources and scan them one after another. You can also pause the queue and continue later if you do not want to finish everything in one session.

SFX Stacks reads your files, extracts metadata, and builds a local index for search on your machine. Nothing is uploaded.

You can begin testing searches while scanning is still running. Results usually improve as more files are indexed.

Large libraries can take time to finish scanning.

Scanning in progress

5. Run your first searches

Start with a real sound need from an active project and describe it in plain words.

Examples:

  • heavy metal door slam
  • small debris hit
  • creature roaring

SFX Stacks supports two search modes:

  • Search with plain words when you want to describe the sound you need
  • Metadata search when you want to narrow results by known tags, categories, or file information

When you find something close, use similarity search to explore nearby options faster.

SFX Stacks search results for "roaring creature" with waveform preview and result list

6. Preview, compare, and export

Preview sounds, compare close matches, inspect the waveform, and export what you need without leaving the app.

  • Preview results quickly
  • Compare close options faster
  • Export the full file or only the section you want to use

Tips for your first session

  • You can start searching before the full scan finishes
  • Results improve as more files are scanned
  • Use plain-language search to describe the sound you need
  • Use similarity search to explore close matches

More help