Storms are nature’s most spectacular sights, but capturing their power is no easy task. Thunderstorm Chaser is the result of six years of chasing storms, thousands of miles, and several fatalities in pursuit of the most authentic storm sound effects ever recorded. From the deep, distant rumbles rolling across the plains to the earth-shaking claps of lightning, this library delivers unrivaled realism and spatial depth.
A Story of Passion and Risk
Recording thunderstorms isn’t just difficult – it’s dangerous. Matt Mikkelsen spent six years tracking thunderstorms, consulting with meteorologists, and setting up state-of-the-art recording equipment in extreme conditions. During one session, he was nearly struck by lightning, a chilling reminder of the sheer force he was capturing.
“There have been years where I’ve come back empty-handed. Storms are unpredictable. Sometimes they fade, sometimes they change direction. And sometimes they get too close.”
- Matt Mikkelsen
Recorded to the highest specifications
Thunderstorm Chaser delivers true 3D surround sound, making it a must-have for sound designers working in film, video games, television, theater, virtual reality, and immersive media. If surround sound is not your thing, a Stereo version is also available.
True, Unprocessed, and Uncompromising
Many sound libraries offer artificially enhanced or layered thunder. Thunderstorm Chaser is 100% natural sound, recorded during the most powerful storms across the United States. These recordings capture thunderstorms in their purest form, with no post-processing embellishment – just the raw, highly dynamic power of nature.
Professional Recordings for a Professional Workflow
Thunderstorm Chaser offers a wide range of immersive soundscapes with over 36 GB of high-resolution recordings in the Surround version and over 9 GB in the Stereo version. Each file is carefully tagged with precise, well-structured metadata for easy searching and seamless integration into professional workflows.
The Most Flexible Thunder Sound Library
From Stereo to Surround, Dolby Atmos and Ambisonics, Thunderstorm Chaser is the most versatile thunder library available. Featuring a Schoeps ORTF-3D microphone setup, these recordings immerse audiences in the atmosphere of storms and thunderstorms, making them ideal for film, virtual reality and high-end video game sound design.
Total Storm Immersion
While thunder is the star, this collection also captures the full ambience of storms:
- The distant rumbles and eerie silence before a thunderstorm
- Explosive lightning bolts
- Torrential rain, hail and howling wind add to the stormy atmosphere
- Natural, unfiltered dynamics for perfect layering of sound design
Compatible Software
This sound library comes as WAV files, meaning you can import and work with them in any software that can handle this file type.
Embedded Metadata
To ensure you have the fastest and easiest workflow possible, all files contain extensive metadata such as file description and keywords to help you quickly find the sounds you need. The metadata can be read and manipulated using audio management tools. Some DAWs have a built-in search tool that can also read the embedded metadata.