Macintosh Startup Sounds

A brief history of the startup sounds used in the Macintosh/iMac Computer Line from Apple. The original startup sound made its debut in 1984 with the Macintosh 128K. The startup sound used in today’s iMac/Mac Pro/MacBooks has been around since the late 1990s.

[@3p1ks]

I love how the 3 newest chimes get lower pitch every newer one.

[@velxcity07]

@suli and now another one (or few) are T2 equipped macs

[@santi100a]

Same.

[@santi100a]

Same.

[@johnhowarth5025]

Two of them are in G major and the third is in F-sharp major.

[@archangel4597]

It's foreshadowing ;)

[@AlexiBexi]

Number 6 is EPIC!

[@masonharris9691]

AlexiBexi meh

[@Zidane-ru8wq]

Hello in 10 year ago

[@ndvglowbass4631]

@@masonharris9691 PS3

[@CORNERofTECH]

I know right! Number 5 too!

[@SNNDS]

Haha 11 years ago

[@ThunderLizardsRule]

0:03-6 I like those two startup sounds. Those are the ones I hear a lot in my middle and high school computers. :)

[@osasunista8912]

Your school has performas???

[@Wasmachineman]

0:01 is also in The Desolate Hope lol

[@bellarviera13]

0:14 WALL•E startup sound

[@MightyJKF]

No, it's the Mac OS 8- OS X El Capitan startup sound.

[@misesapphire910]

Just a brat

[@nathanstoysandmore]

MightyJKF no it is not

[@winmactutoriales5218]

yes it is

[@Francoli19]

@@nathanstoysandmoreit is, the reason why it was used in wall e is because steve jobs was actually the co founder of pixar

[@pepperandjoj5506]

MAC startups from 0:09 : TURRRRRRRR, *lower pitched* TURRRRRRRR *lower pitched* TUUUUUURRRRRR

[@slapshotjack9806]

No it’s more like BOOOOONG BOOOONG boooong

[@corezone4250]

Apple computers are more and more depressed lol

[@supermariobro93]

Macs from around 2017 onward (T2 chip): (Slightly more lower pitched) _turrrrrrr..._

[@isaacjimenez3761]

0:14 iMac Pro Startup Sound

[@DemomanX614]

Oh man, makes me think of elementary school. Not much of an Apple fan but I loved that OS back then.

[@matiilup]

Last three, scary

[@Stratilex]

i know it gets lower!

[@Sevan_UP]

matiilup last one was awesome wym

[@zylm]

The last one remembers me the sun

[@roxwize]

0:04 is scarier because it sounds ominous i think the new startup sound is really chill

[@adrianalencina6538]

It doesn't sound scary at all

[@Effluvium4]

The startup sounds on computers don't change no matter what OS you have...it depends on the Motherboard. The first one is on Mac Plus/SE 2nd is on SE/30 3rd is on IIx (i think) 4th is the Quadras and LCs 5th is Power Mac 5200 6th is Power Mac 6100 7th is Power Mac 5400 8th is Power Mac G3 9th is all the newer ones (iMac, eMac, etc.)

[@Chirbu]

Mac OS 7.5.1 ♥ Our old Power Mac 6200 had it. The startup sound still makes me smile.

[@julosx]

The weird thing about the three last ones is the "tada" sound lower and lower with time - which I never noticed probably because I only owned Intel Macs (starting with Tiger, ending with Snow Leopard so far).

[@blicksflicks]

Well, I have nothing against Linux. You're totally right about it requiring less hardware specs. One of the reasons I like Mac and Linux is because you're not having to upgrade your system all the time sort of like you were saying. Running Linux or OS X is a lot less headache than owning a Windows machine. It sure makes life easier. I'll never go back to a Windows PC if I can help it.

[@عوادكامل-ه1ه]

12 سنه

[@Gabelite]

0:04 wow the memories of playing mac games at school

[@santi100a]

0:04.

[@fluteboy101]

I like the last 3 because they are the most recent start up sounds, and they sound like they are a half a pitch lower than the one before it.

[@AliceC993]

The 5th sound sounds awesome.

[@travisbckle]

Definitely.

[@RockyandTuck]

The 4th one (0:07) is my favorite! It sounds like my old Mac.

[@mattcintosh2]

Thats the 6100/7100/8100 series I prefer the one at :03 the one from the 030/040 days (Quadra/Centris/LCIII/LC5xx)

[@TheBoyJenius]

I switched from PC to Mac when the fourth sound was out. Been using it ever since.

[@hurricaneomega]

I like how the last three get progressively lower. At this rate, in 10 years it'll be so low we can't hear it. Or maybe it'll be at that special frequency that makes you lose control of your bowels.

[@nazra7]

Hasn't anyone ever had the problem with an old Mac 2, where you try to turn the Max 2 on, the start music would play, then some creepy ass short tune would play after that, then the computer just shuts itself off again while the whole screen is black? What was APPLE thinking?! Why does it have to be so creepy?! That tune has haunted me for the rest of my life!

[@local_neighbourhood_aneurysm]

When you call the class student to say their names in order:

[@RunikaMori]

5th sound really brings back memories oh man.

[@blackneos940]

Y'know... I remember the old Windows startup songs, but now I remember this... The other lost part of my childhood... :D

[@LemonCupcakeVRInfinity]

my favorite thing about my mac is the lovely sound that i hear every morning when i put my mac on :D i love that sound !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KoAham]

Crikey, never occurred to me that they had adjusted the last chime into different pitches, thought it had been unaltered since 1991

[@buddhadonut]

hahaha...the last three (the modern startup sounds) soud like an orchestral three-key change intro of some sort. like the first two are preceding the third one, and when it gets to the third one, it sounds like the chord should be held out really long and cymbals/tympani/harps should be rolling in the background while the chord does a sforzando.

[@dalekusa]

The last three sound similar, but over time the note became deeper.

[@Litestorm17]

@greensnes Do you have the volume muted? If you have it muted when you shutdown the computer, it does't make any noise when you start it up. Otherwise, I THINK I heard that it is also a hardware check, so I would call Apple on that one too.

[@TheSearleFamily123]

The sounds heard are actually criss-crossed as they are not in the correct order. Sounds heard: 1984-1990 (Macintosh 128K, 512K, 512Ke, ED, Plus, Plus ED, SE, SE 1/20-40, SE FDHD/SuperDrive & Classic) 1987-1991 (Macintosh II, IIx, SE/30, IIcx, IIci, Portable, IIfx, IIsi & PowerBook 100) 1990-1993 (Macintosh LC, Classic II, LC II, Performa 200, 400, 405, 410 & 430) 1991-1995 (all other 68030/040/LC040 Macintoshes except Quadra 840AV, Centris/Quadra 660AV and PowerBook 190(cs)) 1995-1996 (Power Macintosh/Performa 5000/6000 series with 75, 100 and 120 MHz processors) 1994-1995 (Power Macintosh 6100, 7100, 8100, 8115, Performa 611#CD, Workgroup Server #150) 1993 (Macintosh Quadra 840AV and Centris/Quadra 660AV) 1995-1996 (PowerBook 190(cs) and all other Old World ROM PowerPC Macintoshes) 1998-2016 (since iMac G3)

[@Ty4ons]

Every mac since 1997 play the last one. The sound is built into the hardware and does not change if you change software.

[@yorkshireball_animations]

Not the case anymore. The Big Sur update will make a new sound.

[@743degrees]

You need to remember that Macs make the startup sound when they boot up to indicate that there are no hardware or fundamental software problems. It's the equivalent to that little beep you hear when you turn some PCs on. So basically, it shouldn't be compared to Windows as that's just a little "welcome" sound. The best one is Windows 95 :)

[@elvislimocareaga7889]

0:13 Fun Fact: That One Mac Startup Sound Was Used In The 2008 Movie WALL-E

[@HiTopsVideoMemorabilia]

0:09 this one is my favorite.

[@duckyass]

Number 4 reminds me of high school... I took an extra math class during night school, and the computers in the lab were all Macs -- that's where I'd spend my free time after finishing all of my work. :)

[@xweert711]

I like how it slowly gets more dystopian

[@a3lurus]

0:02 is calming

[@grubhubdad2.079]

0:03?

[@kj4ilk]

notice the last three ones go down a whole octave when played

[@julox74]

@spikeman14 by the way, Mac OS X is absolutely not based upon Linux, but rather on a variant of FreeBSD.

[@santijazz]

QUESTION: How did you hack the sounds off the machines and put them on a video?! I've been desperately looking for the classic mac startup chime (the first one in here) in whatever sound format... couldn't find it! Is there a way to rip it from this video maybe? Help!

[@Toblehrone]

All Mac Start-Up sounds are based off the last note of "A Day in the Life" (the repeating part not included)

[@alexweb8]

At the moment, there must be a bug with the flash player used by KZbin. I hope they fix it soon!

[@shupea18]

i kno right??? that guy who made a song out of windows' startup sound....soooooo gooood

[@fiat1100d]

The 4th is the one played by my Quadra 950, the 5th is the one played by the same computer with the Power Macintosh Upgrade Card installed => Power Macintosh 950.

[@Seclusionloner]

0:04-0:06, i remember that sound back in 1996-2000 high school year. it really brings me back memories, Ah, the high school. god, i miss it very much.

[@IAmNotAFunguy]

The Macs in my elementary school made the sound at 0:05.

[@tto0508]

1st startup: Macintosh 128K, 512K, XL, Plus, 512Ke, SE, SE/30 2nd startup: Macintosh II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, Mac Portable, IIfx, Classic, IIsi 3rd startup: Macintosh LC, Classic II, LC II 4th startup: Macintosh Quadra Series, Centris Series, and other macs and Powerbooks with this sound 5th startup: Power Macintosh 6200, 5500, Performa 5200 6th startup: Power Macintosh 6100, 7100, 8100 7th startup: Macintosh Centris 660AV, Quadra 840AV, 8th startup: Power Macintosh 9500, 7200, 7500, 8500, 7600, and other Powerbooks with this sound 9th startup: All macs from 1998-2021

[@bpmagruder]

I don't see what the point is of just changing the pitch of the sound, as it just makes it sound like it is doing worse.

[@imanerd36]

@Supuhstar Finally someone who knows about the Mac OS. Thank you for not saying Linux, it's BSD based.

[@Tanzim-Kazi]

My favorite startup chime in Mac is the one on Quadra 660V.

[@teeman9266]

0:04 sounds epic, which one is that?

[@MrK-Lyrics]

Computer > heaven > guitar > childhood

[@MilesRose2]

8 is nostalgic for me. My aunt had a mac.

[@bluerubyshadow]

damn he uploaded this before the iphone

[@thiagotecnico]

7 was the happiest mac of all

[@otakupanda7324]

0:13 Why hello there, WALL-E

[@nathanstoysandmore]

OtakuPanda 0:13

[@teeman9266]

4 was the best. I remember that sound since 2nd grade!

[@mkend3]

I wish as iPhone and an iPad will have a sound like this.

[@DarkestBeforeDawnFl]

@TheOtsku it's because those 3 chords are each slightly detuned from the last. the effect was that the lower the tone got, the better the bass resonation sounded mixed with the chime. if you listen with good speakers, you can tell the difference. not much, but just enough, because apple is perfect :D

[@aimCool2008]

When I first heard these Mac startup sounds, I said it's crap. I thought to myself that Windows sounds have more style and are way better. But now, I just said to myself that these sounds AREN'T actually crap. I think they're great! But the only bad thing is that Mac does not have shutdown sounds, unlike Windows.

[@santi100a]

Same thing.

[@chikistoyreview]

The Second Mac Startup Sound Is Very Popular.

[@sxymike12]

Good old memories, I wish I could make my macbook make the old performa startup sound. That was my favorite one.

[@cezararvelo2262]

YO MAC, I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU, UMMA LET YOU FINISH... BUT PC'S HAD THE BEST STARTUP SOUNDS OF ALL TIME!! BEST STARTUP SOUNDS OF ALL TIME!

[@RealRaynedance]

Of the last 3, I think the first one is from Mac OS 7 or 8, the second one is definitely 8 or 8.5, and the last one is 9.0 - 10.6.2 or whatever we're up to with Snow Leopard.

[@VOLTRONDEFENDER4440]

2nd sound was used on bmo in adventure time

[@mariodykstra6555]

What about the 20th Anniversary Macintosh?

[@HyperSonicXtreme]

I remember Machintosh during the mid 90s

[@simteknemesis]

what is the version of the sound at 4s ?

[@Aquacat26]

that sound is found on macbooks and imacs and maybe emacs,macbook pros,and macbook air

[@sanandreasshole]

i like the 5th one, it gives a warm fuzzy start

[@jeremifrancisco1]

where can you get all of this sounds???

[@yabbaguy]

I'm running Windows 7, but my logon noise is now chime #2: that's my first computer and my childhood all in that one ding. Seriously.

[@tipman2000]

earlier versions from before they unified the line and it started to be universal.

[@LemonProductions09]

What are the ones at 5-7 and 8-9?

[@joeypaterno6263]

That last one is my favorite! Mainly because I heard it in Wall-E.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

I love the last sound

[@aimCool2008]

The first sound is for which OS?

[@wildeyestudios5]

no, I'll check right now and let you know, thanks

[@Gigas0101]

I just wish searching those got me each individual sound!

[@draggonhedd]

@Mat ya that was the classic Korg pan-flute and wood block mash-on-the-keyboard sound (dont believe me? look it up!)

[@onsyod]

Why do they all sound like some variation of wall-e startup?

[@PapaGean]

I want the 5th one as my start up sound erred a download link???

[@blicksflicks]

The Mac Pro tower does not use the 9300 or 9400. It uses NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB. You also have a choice of 2x and 4x. There's not 9300 or 9400. You can also load the quad-core with an ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB [Add $200.00]. As for iMac line, the only 9400M appears with the $1,499 iMac. Also, they were terrible cards for a Windows PC. Not for a Mac.

[@LalalandIsfun99]

i wish the new devices like ipods ipads and iphones had this

[@nfistfu]

i kept using the mini vmac thing on the pc's at school and i kept starting up with that first sound and everyone thought it was the bell everytime it sounded! that was funny

[@DeadFredVideo]

I never realised there were so many bong sounds lol

[@hellyeah6432]

Those startup sounds terrified me as a kid

[@brentoso007]

is there a way to not have the startup sound

[@DeadRaymanWalking]

0:14 I'll be hearing that more frequently when I get on my Mac :-D

[@blicksflicks]

There are far more free open source applications for Linux and OS X than Windows. And, quality for sure. Sure, some open source is written for Windows as well (i.e. Firefox and a few other popular ones), but Windows is not the king of open source. Linux and OS X are. Usually, if an open source .app comes out for Linux, it comes out for Mac. It works hand in hand.

[@CKru8789]

Out of all of them #3 & #4 are the best.

[@Aly_Son.2000]

The 0:03 os the most different but the most equal.

[@imanerd36]

4th one brings back some memories.

[@ThreeDee912]

I have used alot of Macs (my Performa had the one at 0:04, and my G4 and Intel iMac are the last one), but what is the one between 0:07 and 0:08? Was it the 20th Anniversary mac?

[@graceandtruth13]

How do you shut the start-up sound off?? Can anyone guide me? Thx

[@mrlego611]

the one from 0:14 to 0:17 sounds like the theme from poseidon(2006) before the camera rises out of the water and around the ship.

[@xxcjh915xx]

the one at 10 seconds is the coolest

[@dosman434]

The Startup Sounds are in the Mac's Motherboard. not in the Mac OS.

[@SermonFapple]

what was the boot sound from 0:05

[@nickeox]

windows does use startup sounds, but were later replace'd by login sounds...

[@ArrowFox89]

Maybe apple will someday let users choose what start up sounds they want