Native macOS · Coming to the App Store

You have the sounds.
Now find them.

Your SFX library has grown over years of work. SFXScout makes every file in it searchable, taggable, and previewable in seconds — without cloud accounts, subscriptions, or anything leaving your machine.

Join the Waitlist See how it works ↓

Free tier available · 30% launch discount for early signups

SFXScout
SFXScout — folder browser, file list, and waveform preview
Built by a Film & TV Editor
One-time purchase — no subscription
Handles 100,000+ file libraries
Your files never leave your Mac

The backstory

Built out of frustration.

I'm a Film & TV Editor. Every session, I'd lose 10 minutes hunting for a sound I knew I had somewhere — footsteps on gravel, a specific car backfire, a door creak from a library I'd licensed three jobs ago.

The professional tools cost $899 and require a USB dongle. The free tools weren't built for serious work. There was nothing in between that felt like it belonged on a modern Mac.

I built SFXScout to solve my own problem. My assistant started using it the next week and hasn't stopped. If your sounds are scattered across drives, inconsistently named, and impossible to search — this was made for you.

What it does

Built for how you actually work.

Everything you need to find, preview, and pull sounds fast. Nothing you don't.

Instant full-text search

Type anything. SFXScout searches filenames and AI-generated tags across your entire library as you type — even with 100,000+ files.

AI auto-tagging

Point SFXScout at a folder. It listens, understands, and applies a professional post-production taxonomy to every file automatically. No manual work.

Waveform preview

See and hear before you commit. Full waveform visualisation with playback controls, right in the app. No bouncing to Finder or an external player.

Local-first, always

Your library never leaves your machine. No account required. No cloud sync. No internet connection needed — ever. Your files stay yours.

Pro-grade export

Export as WAV, AIFF, or Avid WAV — the format Pro Tools and Media Composer workflows require. Batch export multiple files at once.

Native macOS

Built with SwiftUI for Apple Silicon. Feels like it belongs on your Mac, handles massive libraries, and works entirely offline.

The app

Your whole library, right there.

Browse folders, search across everything, preview before you pull — all in one place.

SFXScout
SFXScout app interface

How it compares

The gap in the market.

Professional tools cost $899 and require a dongle. Free tools aren't built for serious work. SFXScout is what was missing.

Tool Price Local-first AI tagging macOS native One-time purchase
SFXScoutnew Free – $49 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Soundminer V6 Pro $899 ✓ — ✓ ✓
Soundly Pro $150/yr — — — —
SoundQ Free ~ — — ✓
MetaDigger Free ✓ — ✓ ✓

Pricing

Simple pricing. One-time.

Pay once, use it forever. No subscriptions, no usage limits, no surprises.

Free
$0
Try it with your library
  • Up to 2,500 files
  • Full-text search
  • Audio preview
  • AI auto-tagging
  • Export
Join waitlist
Most Popular
SFXScout
$29
For freelancers and creators
  • Unlimited files
  • Full-text search
  • Waveform preview
  • AI auto-tagging
  • WAV / AIFF / Avid WAV export
  • Email support
Join waitlist
Pro
$49
For working professionals
  • Everything in SFXScout
  • DAW drag-and-drop v1.1
  • Priority support
  • Early access to new features
Join waitlist
Studio
$149
For post studios and teams
  • Everything in Pro
  • Multi-seat (up to 5)
  • Dedicated support
  • Invoice / PO purchasing
  • Team licence management
Join waitlist

All prices are one-time. 30% launch discount for waitlist members. Pricing subject to change before release.

Questions

Common questions.

Does SFXScout require an internet connection?
No. SFXScout is fully local. Search, preview, tag, and export all run on your Mac. The only optional network feature is future cloud library integration, which will always be opt-in.
What audio formats are supported?
SFXScout reads WAV, AIFF, AIF, MP3, M4A, FLAC, CAF, and OGG. Export is available as WAV, AIFF, and Avid WAV (for Pro Tools and Media Composer workflows).
How does AI tagging work?
SFXScout ships with a companion tool called sfx-tagger. It scans your files, analyses filenames and audio content using an on-device model, and writes tags using a professional film & post-production taxonomy — all locally. No audio is sent anywhere.
How large a library can it handle?
SFXScout uses a SQLite database with FTS5 full-text indexing and paginated results. It's been tested with libraries over 100,000 files with no UI slowdown.
What macOS version do I need?
SFXScout requires macOS 13 Ventura or later, and is optimised for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4).
Can I use SFXScout across multiple machines?
The Studio tier ($149) includes up to 5 seats with a single invoice-friendly purchase. Need more? Get in touch at hello@sfxscout.app.
SFXScout

Be first in the door.

SFXScout is launching on the Mac App Store soon. Join the waitlist for a 30% launch discount and early access.

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