Next-Gen Midi Controllers
Midi controllers are the fastest way to write music and program automation in your DAW software. A new generation of devices promises to add even more expressiveness to your film scores.
(more…)Artie Kane: Composer Spotlight
Artie Kane is a prolific film and television composer, having scored over 250 shows throughout his long career. His memoir, Music to My Years: Life and Love Between the Notes, gives a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Hollywood composer, as well as insight into what it takes to be successful in the industry.
(more…)Scoring the Mandalorian with Ludwig Goransson
Not many film composers get the rockstar treatment, but Ludwig Goransson does in this music video for Star Wars: The Mandalorian’s theme. Baby Yoda, eat your heart out.
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Zero Budget Orchestral Score in 48 Hours
I was recently asked to compose the score for an experimental short film. This was great, except I only had 48 hours, I had zero budget to work with, and I wanted to use an orchestra. Not a problem! Read on to see how.
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Free Resources for Film Composers (updated)
There are a ton of free resources out there for film composers (besides this website). Here’s a list of some of my favorites – everything from books to a fully sampled orchestra!
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Sampling Your Own Instruments
The most powerful tools in a DIY film composer’s kit are virtual instruments. You can easily make your own by sampling real-world instruments – or in this case, a toy.
(more…)John Williams: An in-depth look at scoring Star Wars
John Williams heads back to the Academy Awards tomorrow, with The Rise of Skywalker nominated for Best Original Score. This iconic composer shows his award-winning process in a documentary from 1980.
(more…)“Succession” Composer Explains His Score
The composer responsible for the iconic score of HBO’s “Succession” has done an in-depth interview with Vanity Fair explaining his music and creative process. Check out the video and my thoughts below.
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Best Small Midi Controller for Film Composers
A midi controller is essential for the DIY film composer. You don’t need a huge studio (or huge budget) to add one to your toolkit. There are many small midi controllers that pack a ton of features into a small form factor. In this post, I review my favorites so you can pick the best one for your project.
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Akai Fire Midi Controller Review
The Akai Fire is the first hardware device custom-built for FL Studio. It features a lot of user-friendly integrations that make the DAW experience better. But, it may not be the best tool for a film composer to invest in. Read my full review below.
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