AI tools now make it possible to bring old archive photos and videos back to life with color and motion.
The results often look stunning and it’s not uncommon for historical photos turned by AI into vivid videos to go viral.
Hi, I’m Mik, one of TunePocket music composers. I got inspired by watching AI restored archival photos, so went over our royalty free sound effects catalog and picked some matching background sounds to make these videos even more realistic!
Read my quick music tips about choosing best sound effects for AI restored historical photos and videos or jump straight to the playlist.
How to choose best sound effects for AI restored historical videos
Sound effects help transform silent footage into immersive and emotionally rich experiences!
A silent 1900s street scene may look interesting, but adding the right soundscape can TRULY bring the past to life.
Use authentic ambient sound effects like horse-drawn carriages, footsteps on cobblestone, or early car engines to recreate the environment and match the setting.
City ambiance such as street chatter, distant bells, or market noise helps evoke the rhythm of daily life and adds subtle background realism.
For more dramatic moments, impact effects like construction, marching crowds, or celebratory cheers add depth and reinforce the historical significance of the scene.
Battle and war-related scenes can be enhanced with period-appropriate sounds like cannon fire, marching troops, distant gunshots, or old military radio static to capture the tension and scale of conflict.
Finally, combining vintage sound effects with period music often delivers the most powerful and authentic result, balancing emotional depth with historical realism.
Related: A complete guide for creating AI enhanced historical videos for YouTube (coming soon)
Can’t decide which sounds to use in your video?
Listen to thousands more sound effects examples. The best part, with TunePocket membership, you get unlimited access to thousands of music tracks, loops, and sounds. Download and use any and all, as often as you like!
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Horse driven carriage pass by with horse hoofs and grunts sounds, as well as mechanical carriage noise for retro video, old times game, film, documentary, sound design, commercial business use. Download unlimited royalty free sound effects.
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Historic rural village ambiance background noises with church bells, birds, horse carriages, footsteps sounds royalty free sound effect for video, retro film backdrop, historical archive media restoration vlog, and commercial business use.
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Historic town square ambiance background noise with church bells, crowd walla murmur, footsteps, and horse carriage sounds royalty free sound effect for video, retro film backdrop, historical archive media restoration vlog, and commercial business use.
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Historic battle war ambiance background noises with intense gunfight and hand combat sounds royalty free sound effect for history video, retro film backdrop, archive war media restoration vlog, and commercial business use.
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Historic town square ambiance background noise with crowd walla murmur and horse carriage sounds royalty free sound effect for video, retro film backdrop, historical archive media restoration vlog, and commercial business use.
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Old musket shot in open space royalty free sound effect for retro war video, gun fighting game, film, and commercial business use.
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Heavy Sherman WW2 tank / bulldozer pass by royalty free mechanical machinery sound effect for war video, game, history film, documentary, commercial business use.
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Marching soldiers squad walking stomps loop sound effect for video editing, sound design, film, commercial business use. Download unlimited royalty free sound effects.
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Modern warfare infantry fight war ambience royalty free sound effect background with shots fired, grenades exploding, and soldier screams for fighting video, battle game, action film backdrop, history documentary, commercial business use.
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Old school WW1 era military army whistle short blow sound effect for video editing, game, vlog, and commercial business use.
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Mosin Nagant rifle single shot (open air, close proximity) royalty free weapon gunshot sound effect for video, war game, fighting film, and commercial business use.
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Crowded historic city plaza ambience / background noise with people calmly chattering in various languages for relaxation video, ASMR, game, realistic film backdrop, sleep, virtual reality, and commercial business use. Loops seamlessly. Download unlimited high quality 24 bit / 48 kHz sounds.
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Large scale medieval sword infantry fight royalty free sound effect with weapon hits, metallic clangs, and soldier screams for fighting video, battle game, action film, history documentary, commercial business use.
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Watermill working with water splashes noises royalty free sound effect for video or film backdrop, game sound design, and commercial business use. Loops seamlessly.
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Fast walking on concrete or cobblestone pavement footsteps royalty free steps sound effect for video editing, film, game, commercial business use. Loops seamlessly.
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Cheers, claps, and stomps from excited cheering audience crowd royalty free sound effect for video editing, vlog, game, commercial business use.
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Energetic military march style snare drum roll royalty free sound effect with ceremonial or dramatic feel for video, vlog, heroic film, war documentary, and commercial business use.
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Large propeller aircraft / cargo airplane above flies overhead royalty free sound effect for video, game, film, documentary, commercial business use.
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Church bell toll loop ambiance royalty free sound effect for video editing, game, film, sound design, and commercial business use.
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Construction site background ambiance with various banging and metal tools noises for video backdrop, game, film, sound design, and commercial business use. Loops seamlessly. There are no power machinery sounds, so this background will work in historic and retro construction context.
