Games
Sound designer (Games)
Also known as: Audio engineer, Games sound designer, Sound engineer
What does a games sound designer do?
Sound designers create the soundtrack for a game. This includes the music and foley - sound effects like gunshots, footsteps, crashes, cheers, heavy rain. They make the gameplay more exciting by adding mood, tempo and emotional depth.
Sometimes they are involved in the game’s development right at the start – working from a brief to design what a player is going to hear. Other times they are brought in when a game’s already playable and their job is to add the sounds to the animation.
They usually start by creating a library of sound effects. They might work with a composer, with actors or go out and record sound. They edit, mix and master them to produce the soundtrack for the finished game. As the audio elements are added to the game engine, the sound designer also tests them to make sure they work as intended.
Watch and read
- A Beginner’s Guide to Game Audio & Sound Design
- What is a Sound Designer? | Demystifying Game Development | Sound Design Interview with Rob Kidd
- Procedural Game Music and Audio
- The Role of Sound Designers in Game Development
What’s a sound designer good at?
- Music: compose and perform music
- Sound engineering: know how to record, edit, mix and master
- Knowledge of gameplay and platforms: imagine the game, have a sense of timing, understand how audio can improve gameplay and even drive gameplay
- Knowledge of game engines: understand the technical constraints of engines and how sound files become integrated into them
- Communication: work with game designers, other audio artists and QA technicians
Tools of the trade
- Sound software (Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Sound Forge, Cool Edit Pro)
- Games engines (Unreal, Unity)
These are some of the tools used by professionals, but you can develop your skills using free software. Go to Build your games portfolio for a list.
Who does a sound designer work with?
Depending on the size of the studio, sound designers work closely with audio programmers and music composers. They might be the only person responsible for sound or they might be part of a significant team. They also work with the QA technicians to ensure the sound is working correctly.
How do you become a sound designer?
There is no set route into this job. The most important thing is to learn key skills before you start. This is usually a senior role but some companies will take on junior sound designers.
At school or college:
It’s essential to study music. It would be useful to get an A-level or Higher in music. If you want to add physics or computer science to that, it will give you a good background for working in games, though it’s not essential. Or you might want to take a level 3 vocational qualification in music, media production, or music technology. Look at what your local college offers, and the qualifications offered by training providers such as Pearson and UAL.
Build a portfolio:
Learn the software, experiment with games engines and start putting the music in. Make something you can show off to admissions tutors or employers. This is essential. Go to Build your sound portfolio and Build your games portfolio to learn how.
Start modding:
Re-record your own music and foley for the games that you play, share with games and music communities online.
Get a degree:
Most people in the games industry have degrees so you might want to get a degree which includes sound engineering. There might be modules in music degree courses, in music production or in game design. Pick whichever most reflects your interest.
Have a look at ScreenSkills’ list of recommended courses in games. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the games industry.
Search for jobs:
Use the UK Games Map to find out if there are games companies near you, then go to their websites directly and check out their open roles. Even if they are not advertising the right role, if you like a specific company it’s worth emailing them to let them know you are looking in case something suitable comes up in future. Some employers will take on a junior sound designer if they have a strong portfolio, showing creativity, flair and software skills.
Search for jobs:
This isn’t usually an entry-level role, but some companies might need to take on a junior.
Look outside games:
Work in sound at live music events. Work in any industry that will develop your audio engineering and sound designing skills and move into games from there.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips.
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there’s a Facebook page or other social media group for people making films or videos in your area. Join it and take part. Create a ScreenSkills profile.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries modules are very useful.
ScreenSkills skills checklists:
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists.
You might also be interested in…
Being a music composer or an audio programmer in the games industry. You might also be interested in being a sound mixer or music editor in the film and TV drama industries, or a sound designer or composer in the animation industry.
