Games
Music composer
Also known as: Games composer, Games music composer
What does a games music composer do?
Games music composers add mood and excitement to a game. They write the game’s theme tune. They add depth and colour by composing the music which signals impending danger, celebrates the end of a stage or indicates that a certain character is approaching. As well as being good musicians, music composers understand gameplay. They have to ‘spot’ a game, which means going through a game noting the points at which music will enhance the experience of the player.
Watch
- Meet Eímear Noone - video game music composer and conductor for World of Warcraft, Halo, Diablo, and The Legend of Zelda
- The composers behind your favourite video game music
What’s a music composer good at?
- Music: compose and perform music
- Sound engineering: record, edit, mix and master
- Knowledge of gameplay and platform: spot the game - know at which points music should be heard
- Knowledge of game engines: understand the technical constraints of engines and how to integrate sound files into them
- Communication: work well with game designers, other audio artists and QA technicians
Tools of the trade
- Sound editing software (Logic Pro, Adobe Audition, Protools, Sound Forge, Cool Edit Pro)
- Games engines (Unity, Unreal)
These are some of the tools and used by professionals, but you can develop your skills using free software. Go to Build your games portfolio for a list.
Who does a music composer work with?
Depending on the size of the studio, music composers work closely with audio programmers and sound designers. They might be the only person responsible for composing the music or they might be part of a significant team.
How do you become a music composer?
There is no set route into this job. The most important thing is to learn the key skills before you start.
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 or music technology. Look at what your local college offers and the qualifications offered by training providers such as Pearson and UAL.
Get a degree:
Most people in the games industries have degrees. Having a degree in music will be very useful, especially if it includes a component of audio engineering.
Build a portfolio:
Start composing and recording; write your own original compositions and re-write music for existing games that you can record and share with others. You will learn from doing this. And you can Build your music portfolio, which will impress admissions tutors and employers.
Start modding:
Re-record your own music and foley for the games that you play. Share with games and music communities online.
Get involved with the games community:
Join forums, go to events, enter competitions. Share your musical expertise with indie developers whilst you are still studying and get credits on games which can be claimed as experience when you’re ready to start working.
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 sound designer 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.
