How do you get started – and make it – in game audio? To help with those inevitable questions on where to begin, what to expect, what to focus on, and how to succeed, Akash Thakkar has launched a great series of short, to-the-point answers to many of the questions that typically come to mind. Check out his thoughts and answers in the videos below + explore the additional 21 resources we’ve found for you:
Game audio topics covered:
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Should you go to school to work in game audio? • What gear do you need to work in game music and sound? • What do you need to know to work in the game industry? • Can you find game audio projects online? • Can you make money as a sound designer? • How do you get feedback on your demo reel? • How much should you charge? • How do you get game audio experience WITHOUT a job? • Do you need to code to work in game audio? • How long will it take before you start getting paid for your music and sound work? • Can you be an in-house composer? • Are you too old to work in games? • Do you have to be a game audio freelancer?
Should you go to school to work in game audio?
Do you have to go to university/college to work in game audio, or in the game industry as a whole?
What gear do you need to work in game music and sound?
Do you really need tons of fancy microphones and recorders to get started as a composer/sound designer?
What do you need to know to work in the game industry?
In this video, Akash Thakkar lets you in on a skill that many people are seriously lacking in the game industry:
Can you find game audio projects online?
In this video, Akash Thakkar tells you why it’s a bad idea to rely purely on online networking to get freelance gigs in the game industry:
Can you make money as a sound designer?
Some thoughts on whether or not you can actually make a GOOD living as a sound designer in games:
How do you get feedback on your demo reel?
Here’s how you can get great feedback on your portfolio and demo reel:
How much should you charge?
Insights on that eternal question: How much should you charge for your music and sound?
How do you get game audio experience WITHOUT a job?
Look around and you’ll see almost EVERY game industry job requires some form of experience… so how do you get experience if you’re new to the field?
Do you need to know how to code to work in game audio?
Do you need to know how to program to work in game audio? Here are some insights on that:
How long until you get paid?
How long will it take before you start getting paid for your music and sound work?
Can you be an in-house composer?
Is it possible to become an in-house, full-time composer at a game company? Listen in as we cover whether or not that’s possible:
Are you too old to work in games?
Wondering if it’s too late to work in the game industry if you’re above a certain age? Some thoughts on that here:
Do you have to be a game audio freelancer?
Do you HAVE to freelance to work in games? Here are Akash’s thoughts on that:
A big thanks to Akash Thakkar for his game audio insights! And if you’re looking for further resources on how to get started and make it in audio, check out our hand-picked selection below:
Want to learn more about making it in audio? We’ve done some digging and have found the following resources for you – hope they come in handy!
Succeed in game audio:
• How to Set (and Get) the Right Price for Your Audio Work
• 10 Essential Tips for Game Audio Freelancers
• How to be a successful sound designer – with Scott Gershin
• 5 Useful Tips for Upcoming Sound Designers and Sound Editors
• Building a successful audio post studio – with Kate Finan and Jeff Shiffman
Breaking into game audio – guides and resources:
• The ‘Quit Aspiring’ book – by Adam Croft
• Applying for a job in game audio – by Matthew Florianz
• Freelance Game Audio: Getting Started and finding work – by Ashton Morris
• Yet Another Game Audio Hiring Article – by Ariel Gross
• Courses: How to network and get paid for your work in the game industry – by Akash Thakkar
Finding those audio jobs:
• Hand-picked audio jobs on Soundlister
• Get the weekly Audio Jobs newsletter
• Join the Audio Jobs Facebook group
Showcasing your work:
• Get a free profile on Soundlister
• Upload your demos to Soundcloud
• Upload your demos to ReelCrafter
Networking:
• Find game audio community groups around the world
• Find interesting audio events around the world
Education and knowledge:
• Get an audio mentor at the Audio Mentoring Project
• Read the 100s of sound stories and guides here on the A Sound Effect blog (search for stories here)
• Browse Industry Data: Game Music and Sound Design Salary Survey Results
• Take online courses in Wwise, FMOD Studio, Unity, Pure Data & Unreal at the School of Video Game Audio
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