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Game Audio Essentials

Music Production for Video Games

GameDev.tv Team and Mitchell Theriault

You’re making a game, and it’s awesome. But let’s be real—does it sound awesome? You could grab some generic tunes off the internet, but where’s the fun in that? Your game deserves music that’s as epic as it is.

Welcome to our Sound Music Production for Games course. Here, you'll learn how to create custom tracks that fit your game perfectly. From retro adventure vibes to epic RPG boss battle bangers, you’ll craft tunes that level up your game’s atmosphere.

Read more

You’re making a game, and it’s awesome. But let’s be real—does it sound awesome? You could grab some generic tunes off the internet, but where’s the fun in that? Your game deserves music that’s as epic as it is.

Welcome to our Sound Music Production for Games course. Here, you'll learn how to create custom tracks that fit your game perfectly. From retro adventure vibes to epic RPG boss battle bangers, you’ll craft tunes that level up your game’s atmosphere.

Don’t worry if you’re starting from scratch. All you need is Reaper (a digital audio workstation), and we’ll hook you up with a sample and preset library to kick things off. No fancy studio? No problem. We’ve got you covered.

We’ll take you on a quest through four distinct music genres. First, you’ll create a retro adventure track. Then, dive into the deep with an underwater platformer tune. Feeling spooky? We’ll conjure up an atmospheric horror score. And for the grand finale: an epic RPG boss battle theme. Boom.

By the end, you’ll not only have killer tracks but also the skills to edit and prepare them for playback in your game engine of choice. Yes, we’re talking Unity, Unreal and Godot.

Stuck thinking, “But I’m not a musician” or “What even is a DAW?” Chillax. We’ll guide you through using Reaper to program virtual instruments and mix tracks like a pro. Whether you’ve got game engine skills or just a dream to make original music, this course is for you.

If the thought of writing music makes your palms sweaty (knees weak, arms are heavy. Vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti...), you’re not alone. That’s why we break everything down step-by-step, so you can start small and build big. No need to spit lyrics like Eminem —just bring your passion for gaming.

This course is perfect for aspiring game devs who want to add music to their skill tree. Maybe you’re a coder who’s curious about sound. Or a musician itching to compose for games. Whoever you are, we’re here to help you smash your goals.

So, ready to crank up the volume on your game? Let’s make some music that gets players hyped, scared, or maybe even teary-eyed. Grab your copy of Reaper, and let’s do this. Your game deserves a soundtrack that’s as epic as the adventure itself.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn to craft custom game music that sets the mood and fits your epic worlds.
  • Build a playlist-worthy mix of tracks for adventure, horror, boss battles and more.
  • Create bangers using reaper, even if “daw” sounds like a made-up word to you.
  • Master how to edit tracks so they’re ready to slay in any game engine.
  • Develop an ear for matching music to genres like platformers or rpgs.
  • Program virtual instruments to sound like you’ve got a full orchestra in your pocket.
  • Mix your tracks so every note hits just right—no muddy messes here.
  • Play back your music in your engine of choice, from unity to unreal to godot.

Syllabus

Introduction & Setup

In this video (objectives)…

Welcome to the course! Mitch gives you an overview of what you’ll be learning throughout this course.

Read more

In this video (objectives)…

Lucy welcomes you to the course and gives you an overview of how to access community forums throughout this course.

In this video (objectives)…

Installing Reaper, which is our digital audio workstation of choice for this course.

Your First Song

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Intro

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Taking a look at Reaper for this first time.

In this video (objectives)…

A high level overview of what the MIDI standard is and how it is used.

In this video (objectives)…

We take a look at how to program MIDI notes in Reaper.

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We explore ReaSynth: Reaper’s built in synthesizer plugin and use it to turn our MIDI data into noise

In this video (objectives)…

How you can (optionally) use an external MIDI controller with Reaper

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We take a look at how drums work with MIDI, and play Reaper’s built in drum synth.

In this video (objectives)…

Exploring Reapers built-in sampler and using it to make a musical instrument.

In this video (objectives)…

Mitch has put together a sound pack that you will use throughout the course to make music.

Making a Retro Adventure Song

In this video (objectives)…

We’ll work on the arrangement of our song, adding an intro

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We’re making a song from scratch. Where do you start? How do you find the right vibe for your song? Let’s figure that out

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We’ll start this song with drums- creating a rhythm to build the other parts off of.

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Next we’ll start building out the melodic elements of our song with a bass line.

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Let’s build off of our bass line by adding some chords.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to arpeggiate chords.

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We manage to pull a melody out of the ether that we like.

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Adding a 2nd part to our song.

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We adjust the volume of our instruments to find a balanced sound.

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We try some mastering techniques to make our song sound more finished.

Making an Underwater Song

In this video (objectives)…

Let’s gather some references for our underwater platformer song.

In this video (objectives)…

For this song, we’re going to start by feeling out a melody we will use.

In this video (objectives)…

Let’s start adding some richness and harmony with some soft chord sounds in the background.

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Filling out some space in our melody with a call and response.

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We’ll add a simple bass line to our song to fill it out.

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Discover how you can source sound effects and use them in your song.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to add a drum part that we can export separately if we want.

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Let’s finish up this track by giving it a final mix.

Making a Horror Song

In this video (objectives)…

Gathering some references for our horror track.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how we can generate pink noise to use as a base for our soundtrack.

In this video (objectives)…

Use sound effects to build atmosphere.

In this video (objectives)…

Create a dissonant melody to put listeners even more on edge.

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Add some surprising drum and bass sounds liven things up.

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Mix and polish our song so it’s ready to export.

Making an Epic RPG Battle Song

In this video (objectives)…

Find inspiration for our battle song.

In this video (objectives)…

Let’s dive into the VST rabbit hole.

In this video (objectives)…

We’ll start by laying down an appropriate drum beat.

In this video (objectives)…

Next we’ll add a bass line.

In this video (objectives)…

Now let’s build out a chord progression.

In this video (objectives)…

We’ll continue building out our chords with strings

In this video (objectives)…

Adding a melody to our song.

In this video (objectives)…

Let’s get this song ready to export.

Playback of Music in Game Engines

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Making our songs loop in Reaper so they’re ready to export.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to play back our songs in Unity.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to play back our songs in Unreal.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to back our songs in Godot.

In this video (objectives)…

Course Outro

Bonus

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how have certain elements of your music come in and out in response to things happening in your game.

In this video (objectives)…

Learn how to get better at mixing songs

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Audio Essentials: Music Production for Video Games with these activities:
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of music theory concepts like scales, chords, and rhythm. A solid foundation in music theory will make composing in different genres much easier.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review basic music notation and terminology.
  • Practice identifying intervals and chord qualities.
  • Complete online exercises on rhythm and meter.
Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition'
Gain a broader understanding of music theory principles. This book will help you grasp the fundamentals needed for composing game music.
View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on scales and chords.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Practice composing short melodies in different genres
Develop your ability to quickly generate musical ideas in various styles. This will improve your workflow when creating music for different game genres.
Show steps
  • Choose a game genre (e.g., platformer, RPG, horror).
  • Set a timer for 30 minutes and compose a short melody.
  • Repeat with different genres and musical elements.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Analyze existing game soundtracks
Improve your understanding of how music is used in games to create atmosphere and enhance gameplay. Analyzing existing soundtracks will give you inspiration and ideas for your own compositions.
Show steps
  • Select 3-5 game soundtracks from different genres.
  • Listen to each soundtrack and take notes on the musical elements used.
  • Write a short analysis of each soundtrack, focusing on how the music contributes to the game's atmosphere.
Create a music track for a game jam
Apply your skills in a real-world scenario by creating music for a game jam. This will give you valuable experience working under pressure and collaborating with other developers.
Show steps
  • Find a game jam that needs music composers.
  • Communicate with the game developers to understand their vision.
  • Compose and implement a music track for the game.
  • Get feedback and iterate on your work.
Build a sample library of custom sound effects
Expand your sonic palette by creating your own library of sound effects. This will give you more control over the sound design of your game music.
Show steps
  • Record or synthesize a variety of sound effects.
  • Edit and process the sound effects to create unique textures.
  • Organize your sound effects into a library for easy access.
Read 'A Composer's Guide to Game Music'
Deepen your understanding of the specific techniques and considerations for composing game music. This book provides valuable insights into the industry and the creative process.
View A Composer's Guide to Game Music (Mit Press) on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on interactive music and adaptive scoring.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and techniques discussed.
  • Reflect on how you can apply these concepts to your own compositions.

Career center

Learners who complete Game Audio Essentials: Music Production for Video Games will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Video Game Composer
A Video Game Composer creates original music and soundscapes for video games, enhancing the player's experience and immersion. This role involves understanding the narrative, gameplay, and atmosphere of a game to craft music that complements these elements. This course helps aspiring composers develop the skills to create custom tracks that fit various game genres, from retro adventures to epic RPG battles. Learning to use Reaper and program virtual instruments builds a foundation for composing unique and engaging soundtracks. The experience of editing and preparing tracks for playback in Unity, Unreal, and Godot is particularly valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Composer
Electronic Musician
An Electronic Musician creates music using electronic instruments and digital audio workstations. They may perform live or produce music for various media. An electronic musician may find that this course gives them the skills and experience to adapt their talents for use in making music for video games. Through out the course you’ll craft tunes that level up your game’s atmosphere. The course helps hone skills such as programming virtual instruments, mixing tracks like a pro, and using Reaper to create tracks that can then be included in game engines such as Unity, Unreal and Godot.
See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Musician
Game Developer
Game Developers are responsible for creating video games. This role involves coding, game design, and often, integrating assets like audio into the game. This course helps game developers who want to add music to their skill set. By learning to create custom tracks using Reaper and understanding how to edit and prepare them for playback in Unity, Unreal, and Godot, developers can enhance their games with unique soundtracks. Creating tracks for different genres like adventure, horror, and RPGs provides a diverse skill set that can be applied to various game projects.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer
Sound Designer
Sound Designers are responsible for creating and implementing all audio elements within a game. This includes sound effects, ambient sounds, and the overall sonic environment. This course may be useful for aspiring sound designers by teaching them how to create a range of musical pieces for different game settings, such as underwater platformers or horror environments. The course's focus on using Reaper and virtual instruments to create soundscapes allows sound designers to experiment with new sonic textures, mixing techniques, and apply them to their designs. Additionally, understanding how to integrate music into game engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot are valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer
Foley Artist
Foley Artists create everyday sound effects for film, television, and video games by recording sounds in sync with the action on screen. This course may be useful to a foley artist by developing their music production skills. By learning to craft tracks using Reaper and mastering how to edit and prepare them for playback in game engines, sound designers can enhance video games. Editing tracks so they’re ready to use in Unity, Unreal and Godot may be most helpful, and developing virtual instruments can assist in increasing the potential for creativity.
See salaries and explore the career path for Foley Artist
Audio Engineer
An Audio Engineer specializes in the technical aspects of sound, including recording, mixing, and mastering audio. This role demands a proficiency in using digital audio workstations and a deep understanding of sound manipulation techniques. This course helps audio engineers refine their skills in Reaper. The focus on mixing tracks ensures that every note hits just right, and the course prepares tracks for playback in various game engines, thus solidifying understanding of industry-standard practices. This course may be useful for mastering tracks and optimizing them for different gaming platforms.
See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer
Sound Editor
Sound Editors are responsible for assembling and editing audio tracks, synchronizing sound with visuals, and ensuring the overall quality of the audio. This role requires a keen ear and proficiency in audio editing software. This course may be useful to sound editors who want to expand their skills in creating custom music. By learning to craft tracks using Reaper and mastering how to edit and prepare them for playback in game engines, sound editors can create immersive soundscapes. Editing tracks so they’re ready to use in Unity, Unreal and Godot may be most helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Editor
Interactive Audio Designer
An Interactive Audio Designer focuses on creating dynamic audio experiences that respond to player actions and in-game events. This specialized role requires an understanding of game development and audio implementation. This course may be useful to interactive audio designers by teaching them how to create music that adapts to gameplay. The course syllabus uses Unity, Unreal, and Godot, and the course content about using Reaper will allow the designer to implement sound effects to create interactive gaming experiences. This course may be useful for those who wish to incorporate dynamic audio into games.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interactive Audio Designer
Multimedia Artist
A Multimedia Artist creates visual effects, animation, and audio for various media, including video games. They often work with a team to develop the overall look and feel of a project. This course helps multimedia artists integrate custom audio into their projects. Learning to craft custom game music that sets the mood and fits epic worlds, and mastering how to edit tracks for any game engine enables artists to produce immersive experiences. The ability to program virtual instruments builds upon the ability to create dynamic soundtracks.
See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist
Music Producer
Music Producers oversee the creation of music, from initial concept to final product. They work with artists, engineers, and other professionals to bring a musical vision to life. This course helps music producers adapt their skills to the gaming industry. All you need is Reaper (a digital audio workstation), and this course hooks you up with a sample and preset library to kick things off. The experience composing music for retro adventure vibes to epic RPG boss battle bangers is the perfect opportunity to craft tunes that level up any game atmosphere.
See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer
Virtual Instrument Designer
Virtual Instrument Designers create the software instruments used in digital audio workstations. This role requires a blend of technical expertise and musical knowledge. This course helps virtual instrument designers understand the needs and workflows of game composers. Programming virtual instruments to sound like a full orchestra in your pocket is helpful. The course material about playback in engines such as Unity, Unreal, and Godot is very useful. The course is perfect for those who wish to create sound.
See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Instrument Designer
Game Designer
Game Designers conceptualize and design the gameplay, rules, and user experience of a game. While their primary focus isn't always on audio, understanding how sound enhances the player experience is valuable. While game design does not work directly with sound, this course may be useful for game designers by providing insights into creating immersive and engaging environments. The course's focus on setting the mood and fitting epic worlds helps developers understand how audio can influence a player's experience. This gives the designer the flexibility to manipulate the player experience through sound.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer
Software Developer
Software Developers create and maintain software applications. In the context of game development, they write the code that brings the game to life. While not directly related to audio creation, understanding how audio is integrated into games may be useful. By learning how to create tracks and prepare them for playback in Unity, Unreal, and Godot, software developers gain a deeper understanding of game audio pipelines. This understanding can improve collaboration with audio professionals and optimize game performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers focus on creating intuitive and enjoyable experiences for users of software applications. This role involves understanding user needs and designing interfaces that are easy to use and visually appealing. This course may be useful for user experience designers who want to develop interactive audio experiences. By learning how to create music that adapts to gameplay, user experience designers can implement sound effects to create interactive gaming experiences. This course provides an understanding of game audio pipelines.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer
Animator
Animators create moving images for various media, including video games. While their primary focus is on visual elements, understanding how sound complements animation is valuable. This course may be useful to animators who want to create immersive animations, because the skills in this course will assist in creating synchronization between sound and animation. By learning how to edit and prepare audio tracks, animators can ensure that their animations have the right impact. The ability to match music to genres helps visual artists reinforce the medium's intended impact on the audience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Game Audio Essentials: Music Production for Video Games.
Cover image
A Composer's Guide to Game Music
Save
Comprehensive guide to composing music for video games. It covers a wide range of topics, including interactive music, adaptive scoring, and working with game developers. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of game music composition. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
A Composer's Guide to Game Music (Mit Press)
Paperback
$$
A Composer's Guide to Game Music (MIT Press) by...
Unknown Binding
$$
A Composer's Guide to Game Music
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Music Theory Note by Note
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory concepts in an accessible format. It's particularly helpful for beginners who want to build a strong foundation before diving into game music composition. The book covers topics such as scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony, which are essential for creating compelling game soundtracks. It serves as a useful reference tool throughout the course.
Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Effort
7.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
GameDev.tv Team
Mitchell Theriault
Language
English
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