10 Things You MUST Know To Be A Video Game Composer

10 helpful things to know on your journey to becoming a video game composer. This is by no means an exhaustive list (I know I forgot some things, haha). If you would like me to go in depth on a particular topic, let me know! Hope you find this helpful.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:45 Composition
01:36 Production
01:56 Mixing
02:36 Working Dynamically
03:40 Running A Client Business
05:01 Contracts
06:28 Who You Know
06:55 Conventions
07:40 Persistence
08:22 Be Nice

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#musicproduction #videogamecomposer #videogamemusic

[MeganMcDuffee]

Hope you find this helpful! Please comment on what topics you'd like me to make a video about next :)

[TonyIrayhanyMusic]

This video just appeared in my algorithm and probably I am in the composer - producer algorithm everywhere now, thank you for your insight

[esotericmissionary]

My biggest musical influence is video game music/sound effects ... as well as cartoon theme songs, now that I think about it.

[SoushinSen]

I don't intend to be a composer but this video is still very fascinating to watch. Love your music!

[Leedoggie]

So great to see you again, Megs! I hope your pinky heals quickly. SUPER informative video! Your music is right up there with Michiru Ayame’s! ❤

[BulletofReason]

This is awesome and really cool to see your breakdown on this!!!

[Leedoggie]

Your song “Yesterday” is like “Prayer” off of Castlevania SOTN. Not stylistically, but the vibe! So lovely.

[baugymusic]

Awesome video Megan thanks so much for sharing your insight! Myself and my 2 older brothers are launching a demo version of our indie game shortly and I compose the music and SFX, so this was incredible valuable!

[kumrogames]

Great video and lots of great advice for both game musicians and even game Devs on how to work with musicians!

[RQS]

Its nice to see this type of video on the channel. Your songs are amazing Megan. But also seeing more of you is awesome too. And hearing your take on things. Hopefully this brings the confidence in some to compose more awesome video game tracks! And other media too, I hope everyone takes away the "Be nice" comment to heart the most too. It makes the world a better place. Also. I adore the Oblivion love in the background, that's hardcore!

[darrancoyle]

Welcome back Meg! Good to see you Your hair looks super cute.

[Kevlexicon]

so glad to see you sharing your proven, earned wisdom.

would be fun to see you talk about how you listen to reference music and break it down. jus talk about what goes thru your head when u think about references, re frequency range, arrangement, mood etc. i know that can be a very idiomatic, subjective thing, but i feel creatively it would be fun and informative.

regardless, enjoyed the video and enjoy following your musical journey, thanks!

fell in love w your music since hearing "the hunt"

[VirajKathwadia]

So like the badman I am, I pirated River City Girls on my Switch...but I fell in love with your soundrack I knew I had to own it...the problem was I had to buy the game to get the soundtrack. I went from Villain to Hero. Great.

[dcbernman]

Thanks for the video Megan. I’m launching my career as a game composer now. Here’s hoping this next decade is a rewarding and fulfilling one!

[ThaddeusSilva]

I'm an aspiring composer that has held off on jumping into composing for games in pursuit of building up my skills in every area that might be needed to effectively tackle the problems that I might face when actually composing for a game, and a lot of the things I learned are super important details that are ALL listed here in this video! I think I'm starting to get a bit more ready for composing an entire soundtrack. I've learned more about working with others, and understanding how to take criticism and use it to improve upon something, also when you're making something for someone else, ultimately, their vision matters first and foremost.

Only parts I need to put more time into learning about are all the business related things, which are arguable some of the more important things haha.

Absolutely fantastic video, thank you for taking the time to make this video and teach us more about the world of video game music composition!

[Bangulo]

Great to see you putting out these videos now!! 🤘

[hidden_sound]

Really nice video - Interesting about your “give it a decade” comment regarding persistence - this actually gave me some comfort

I am about 3 years in to making downloadable field recordings and sound effects packs and things are beginning to tick over

the more packs i have available to sell the more I can see that in time this will create a nice passive income - especially now as I have more time to put into this :))

[playgamescarlos]

Very good video, Megan! 🎮🖥🎶
For topic, definitely Horror films soundtracks is a plus! :D

[stixhistishi]

This is really great insight, as someone who's trying to get into video game composing soon. Thank you

[Knightofducks]

That was really informative! thank you for the insight!