Have you ever wondered how movies like Interstellar or Dune would feel without Hans Zimmer’s iconic scores? Completely different, right?
In television, music is essential to the overall experience, setting the mood, building tension, providing moments of relief, and intensifying emotions. We can say the same for video games – a well-composed soundtrack is an integral part of the game, shaping the gamers’ experience and making them more invested in the game.
Hence why this article will explore how to compose video game music, offering a practical overview of what you need to start creating awesome soundscapes for your games. We’ll cover things like choosing the right instruments, setting the tone, the modern composer’s toolkit, and some composition techniques to get you started!
How to compose video game music: getting started
Before you start composing epic video game soundscapes, you’ll need the right tools. While you can technically compose music using just a pen and paper, music software makes the process much easier and more efficient.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are your go-to tools for composing, recording, editing, and mixing music for video games, or even general music production if you go down that alley.
There are plenty of DAWs out there, from professional-grade options to more user-friendly alternatives. Popular choices among game composers include Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, and FL Studio.
The first is known for its intuitive workflow, making it a popular option for creating electronic music and sound effects. Logic Pro X, a professional-level DAW, offers tools for advanced music production and is a strong option for creating orchestral scores. FL Studio, often used for hip-hop and electronic music, is praised for its intuitive interface and ease of use.
The choice is yours, and it really depends on your preferred workflow! Also, many software provide a free trial period, so we’d strongly recommend you try them to see which suits your preferences.
Beyond the DAW itself, you’ll want additional tools to make your composing easier. Plugins are software programs that add extra functionality to your DAW, and they can do all sorts of things – virtual instruments (like synthesizers and samplers), adding effects (like reverb, delay, distortion, and EQ), and so on.
Popular options include Native Instruments Kontakt (for sampling and virtual instruments), Waves plugins (for mixing and mastering), and FabFilter plugins (for various audio effects).
Setting the tone with your sound palette
Another thing to consider before putting in the work is to establish a general direction and mood that aligns with your game’s tone. Just like painters often choose their colors before applying them to the canvas, composers need to select a “sound palette” before composing their music.
How would one approach this? Keep your game’s setting, characters, and overall atmosphere in mind.
A dark and atmospheric horror game might benefit from a sound palette with distorted guitars, eerie synthesizers, unsettling sound effects, and microtonal pitches. On the other hand, a whimsical and lighthearted adventure game (like Mario) usually calls for bright, playful melodies, chipper acoustic instruments, and the occasional silly sound effects (bah, bah!)
Whatever your choices, know that they will significantly influence the character of your music. Drawn-out strings can create a sense of drama and emotion, woodwinds can add a touch of whimsy or nostalgia, brass can build intensity and grandeur (which Zimmer does masterfully), and percussion can add rhythm and excitement.
Or perhaps you could be creative like the composers for the main Pokémon games: the piano is exclusively used for chill, serene places except for Cynthia’s and Volo’s approach theme.
Basic techniques for composing video game music
Just like in drawing and the finer arts, mastering the fundamentals alone can take you far, and the same applies to composition. To create truly memorable scores for video games, you need to understand and apply several key composition techniques! Let’s explore some fundamentals:
Melody and harmony
Melody is what grabs the listener’s attention and conveys emotion. A memorable tune can become instantly associated with your game, evoking nostalgia and excitement for years to come. Think about the iconic melodies from Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda – instantly recognizable, they perfectly capture the spirit of those classic games.
On the other hand, harmony creates an atmosphere. It’s how chords and notes work together to create feelings of suspense, joy, or whatever. It also helps establish mood and makes the gaming experience more immersive.
For example, a major key generally sounds happy and bright, while a minor key can bring sadness or tension. A well-crafted harmony will definitely take your game to the next level!
Also, it’s critical to align your melodies and harmonies to reinforce different aspects of the game’s mechanics and gameplay. For example, a triumphant melody might play when the player wins a battle, while a more somber melody can build suspense or foreshadow impending danger.
Rhythm and tempo
Rhythm and tempo are about the beat and speed of your music. They directly influence the player’s experience and should work alongside the game’s pace and action.
A fast tempo with a driving rhythm can create a sense of urgency and excitement, which is great for action sequences. But a slower tempo with a more relaxed rhythm can create a more contemplative and atmospheric mood, perfect for moments of exploration or storytelling.
Dynamic range and variation
Dynamic range refers to the difference between loud and quiet parts of your music. Varying it prevents the music from becoming monotonous, which could players more engaged with the game.
Sudden loud sounds can create surprise or tension, whereas quiet moments provide a sense of calm or anticipation. Think of how a movie score might use quiet moments to build suspense before a loud action sequence – the same principles apply to video game music!
Leitmotifs
Leitmotifs are recurring musical themes often associated with specific characters, objects, or ideas.
In Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar score, a few notes reappear in various forms throughout the film, associating the theme with particular characters or plot points. In Pokémon: Explorers of Time/Darkness, there are “motifs” associated with concepts of friendship, sadness, and the unrelenting passage of time.
They’re a great tool for creating a sense of familiarity and unity in your game’s soundscape, even across very different sections of your game.
How to compose video game music: closing thoughts and tips
Composing music for video games is a rewarding and creative process. By understanding and applying the composition techniques we’ve discussed, you can create soundscapes that add depth, emotion, and excitement to your game.
As for tips, the biggest one is to start small. Maybe a simple melody line, a rhythmic pattern, or even just a few interesting chords. Then, build upon your ideas, adding new layers and experimenting with many combinations.
Don’t be afraid to use repetition to emphasize key themes or create a sense of familiarity and unity. And always make a plan early on! Outlining your music’s structure early on can save you time and frustration in the long run.
We hope this article has been helpful to you! And, if you need help bringing your game to life, we at Main Leaf would be glad to help.
We’re an experienced game development studio and outsourcing partner with a proven track record. We have deep expertise with novel technologies (like VR, blockchains, and NFTs), and can support you with anything from creating individual game assets to developing and launching your complete project.
Our team excels at building high-quality games, and we’d love to help you build yours! Contact us to get started with Main Leaf Games.
