The effect comes from the Stargate franchise, which began with the 1994 film and expanded with the television series Stargate SG-1 from 1997. In the stories the ring-shaped gate opens a wormhole between worlds, and its shutdown sound marks the moment that link ends. Fans clipped the distinctive power-down audio from episodes and films and shared it on soundboards and in fan edits. It remains popular because the falling electronic tone is instantly recognisable to sci-fi viewers, even without any picture of the gate itself.
About this sound
Stargate deactivation sound effect from the Stargate franchise, the powering-down hum as the wormhole closes, used for sci-fi endings and shutdown jokes.
This is the sound of a Stargate powering down, the deep descending hum and fading electronic wash that plays as an active wormhole collapses and the gate goes quiet. It starts with a low rumble and a shimmering energy tone, then drops in pitch and volume until only a soft mechanical settle remains. For viewers it signals an ending, a departure completed, or a connection suddenly cut. Creators use that clear sense of closure to punctuate sci-fi edits, gaming moments, and reaction clips where something impressive switches off.
