game audio books
Aaron Marks' complete guide to game audio, 3rd edition
Turn your musical passion into a profitable career with this essential guide to the business and technical skills you need to succeed in the multi-billion dollar games industry. Step-by-step instructions lead you through the entire music and sound effects process - from developing the essential skills and purchasing the right equipment to keeping your clients happy.
Learn everything you need to: Find the jobs. Identify your niche, implement a business and marketing plan that includes a great demo reel, and plug into the established network to find clients. Make the deals. Make the bidding and contract process work for you by knowing the standard industry terminology, understanding how to set fees, and employing non- confrontational negotiating tactics to reach sound agreements that establish acceptable boundaries for change orders, reworks, payment options, and other essentials.
Create music and sound effects for games. Master the exacting specifications for composing music and creating sound effects on the various gaming platforms and systems.
What Industry leaders are saying about - The Complete Guide to Game Audio "An exhaustive and indispensable resource for game audio from initial concept to cashing the royalty checks." - Jennifer Olsen, editor-in-chief, Game Developer Magazine "Aaron is truly a game audio expert and a great teacher. This book will help anyone aspiring to succeed in the biz." - Jack Buser, Manager, Game Developer Support Group, Dolby Laboratories "Aaron Marks' experience and insight into the inner workings of the game audio world make this book an invaluable resource. Let's not beat about the bush here - there are currently NO other titles on the market that cover game audio to the same degree as Aaron’s excellent book. This is an indispensable resource for those wanting to find out more about working as a composer/ musician/ sound designer in the games industry - a must-buy for those starting out and now the bible for professionals in the music field today." - Greg O'Connor Read, founder and editor, Music4Games.net "Somebody gag this guy! He's giving away all our secrets!" - Chance Thomas, game composer and president, HUGEsound "Aspiring sound designers and composers regularly ask me what it takes to break into this industry. Now I can say read The Complete Guide to Game Audio!" - Darryl S. Duncan, president & CEO, GameBeat, Inc. "A fountainhead of valuable insight, this book thoroughly demystifies the art of game music and sound like no other." - Jon Holland, game composer and sound designer "Finally, a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in game audio!" - Mark Temple, game producer and president, Enemy Technology "This impressive guide is a great resource for anyone just starting out in the business, as well as professionals already working in the industry." - Keith Arem, game composer, sound designer and president, PCB Productions "If you're considering game audio creation as a profession, or just curious about how it's done … BUY THIS BOOK NOW!" - Tommy Tallarico, game composer and president, Tommy Tallarico Studios "A 'must have' book for anyone considering a career in game audio" - Will Davis, game composer, sound designer, and president, Audio-Development Ltd., United Kingdom "This will surely become the bible of any up and coming sound designer or composer wanting to work on video games." - Joey Kuras, sound designer, Tommy Tallarico Studios "Kudos to Marks for his candid look into the industry, and the processes behind technique and creativity behind new digital media." - Tim Rideout, musician/ composer, Canada “If you want to know what it takes to make it in the games industry as an audio professional, then this book is for you. It exposes the business, covering all the important elements of audio production from start to finish. If you already work in audio and are looking for a new source of clients then this book will help you prepare to tackle a new market. If you make games and want to ensure that you will get the best from your audio staff then read this text. It will shed light on what is expected of you and what you can expect from composers and sound designers working in games today.” Todd Fay, Los Angeles, CA What Readers are saying about - The Complete Guide to Game Audio "Having finished your amazing book, I have a whole new perspective ... I just wanted to say you've written a great book that has completely shown me the light. Your book has shown me how I can take that desire to create and actually make a living. Wow! Thanks a lot!" -- Jonathan Brickley "I just purchased "The Complete Guide to Game Audio"... I actually had tears in my eyes a couple of times because lately I feel like I'm so close, and now with this book, I think it's what I needed. Thanks again." -- Adam DiTroia "There's always a risk in a book like this that it can be too brief or too general, and I really wasn't sure what to expect. But what I've read of your book so far has been thorough and very well written, and I'm in awe at the amount and caliber of the content! On behalf of everybody looking for a great guide to this under appreciated and unexplored aspect of audio, bravo!" -- Dave Miner, Canada "I truly appreciated the knowledge shared in the book. I consider my money well spent, and the information that I have gleaned (as well as that which I will benefit from in the future when I need it) I consider priceless." -- Jim Bohnert, reader"THANK YOU for opening my eyes to a 'Yellow Brick Road' of sorts. Your book is fresh, accurate and up-to-date, unlike most of the music business books out there with titles like "How to become a Rock Star (in 30 days or less)". -- Frank Heiss, reader “A great book for people wanting to get into game audio/music production. Though it does not cover all game audio format used for games (ie: mods for shareware games), it's still an excellent book with information on what to charge for your work, what to do to get started.” Michael Huang, California “Marks provides a facinating peek inside the world of audio content development in the computer game industry. With a casual and friendly style, he covers a broad range of topics in his book, from basic equipment setup to negotiating contracts for freelance work (and much more, of course). Having recently become a freelancer myself, I found his advice both helpful and inspiring. All in all, this book bolsters Marks' credentials as a professional musician and businessman, and comes highly recommended to anyone interested in getting some excellent and no doubt hard-earned advice.” James Boer Kirkland, WA
Book reviews Music4Games review excerpt: "The primary reason you need to get this book is because it is extremely effective in directing you towards your goal. That is assuming your goal is to get into the games industry, and as an audio pro no less. You do want to make games right? Aaron Marks covers everything from setting up shop to how to negotiate a contract. He explains important business concepts and terms that one needs to understand. This book is worth the cover price just for the CD-ROM if you ask me. Where else are you going to find somebody to draft ‘ready to use’ business contracts at this kind of cost?"
Create music and sound effects for games. Master the exacting specifications for composing music and creating sound effects on the various gaming platforms and systems.
What Industry leaders are saying about - The Complete Guide to Game Audio "An exhaustive and indispensable resource for game audio from initial concept to cashing the royalty checks." - Jennifer Olsen, editor-in-chief, Game Developer Magazine "Aaron is truly a game audio expert and a great teacher. This book will help anyone aspiring to succeed in the biz." - Jack Buser, Manager, Game Developer Support Group, Dolby Laboratories "Aaron Marks' experience and insight into the inner workings of the game audio world make this book an invaluable resource. Let's not beat about the bush here - there are currently NO other titles on the market that cover game audio to the same degree as Aaron’s excellent book. This is an indispensable resource for those wanting to find out more about working as a composer/ musician/ sound designer in the games industry - a must-buy for those starting out and now the bible for professionals in the music field today." - Greg O'Connor Read, founder and editor, Music4Games.net "Somebody gag this guy! He's giving away all our secrets!" - Chance Thomas, game composer and president, HUGEsound "Aspiring sound designers and composers regularly ask me what it takes to break into this industry. Now I can say read The Complete Guide to Game Audio!" - Darryl S. Duncan, president & CEO, GameBeat, Inc. "A fountainhead of valuable insight, this book thoroughly demystifies the art of game music and sound like no other." - Jon Holland, game composer and sound designer "Finally, a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in game audio!" - Mark Temple, game producer and president, Enemy Technology "This impressive guide is a great resource for anyone just starting out in the business, as well as professionals already working in the industry." - Keith Arem, game composer, sound designer and president, PCB Productions "If you're considering game audio creation as a profession, or just curious about how it's done … BUY THIS BOOK NOW!" - Tommy Tallarico, game composer and president, Tommy Tallarico Studios "A 'must have' book for anyone considering a career in game audio" - Will Davis, game composer, sound designer, and president, Audio-Development Ltd., United Kingdom "This will surely become the bible of any up and coming sound designer or composer wanting to work on video games." - Joey Kuras, sound designer, Tommy Tallarico Studios "Kudos to Marks for his candid look into the industry, and the processes behind technique and creativity behind new digital media." - Tim Rideout, musician/ composer, Canada “If you want to know what it takes to make it in the games industry as an audio professional, then this book is for you. It exposes the business, covering all the important elements of audio production from start to finish. If you already work in audio and are looking for a new source of clients then this book will help you prepare to tackle a new market. If you make games and want to ensure that you will get the best from your audio staff then read this text. It will shed light on what is expected of you and what you can expect from composers and sound designers working in games today.” Todd Fay, Los Angeles, CA What Readers are saying about - The Complete Guide to Game Audio "Having finished your amazing book, I have a whole new perspective ... I just wanted to say you've written a great book that has completely shown me the light. Your book has shown me how I can take that desire to create and actually make a living. Wow! Thanks a lot!" -- Jonathan Brickley "I just purchased "The Complete Guide to Game Audio"... I actually had tears in my eyes a couple of times because lately I feel like I'm so close, and now with this book, I think it's what I needed. Thanks again." -- Adam DiTroia "There's always a risk in a book like this that it can be too brief or too general, and I really wasn't sure what to expect. But what I've read of your book so far has been thorough and very well written, and I'm in awe at the amount and caliber of the content! On behalf of everybody looking for a great guide to this under appreciated and unexplored aspect of audio, bravo!" -- Dave Miner, Canada "I truly appreciated the knowledge shared in the book. I consider my money well spent, and the information that I have gleaned (as well as that which I will benefit from in the future when I need it) I consider priceless." -- Jim Bohnert, reader"THANK YOU for opening my eyes to a 'Yellow Brick Road' of sorts. Your book is fresh, accurate and up-to-date, unlike most of the music business books out there with titles like "How to become a Rock Star (in 30 days or less)". -- Frank Heiss, reader “A great book for people wanting to get into game audio/music production. Though it does not cover all game audio format used for games (ie: mods for shareware games), it's still an excellent book with information on what to charge for your work, what to do to get started.” Michael Huang, California “Marks provides a facinating peek inside the world of audio content development in the computer game industry. With a casual and friendly style, he covers a broad range of topics in his book, from basic equipment setup to negotiating contracts for freelance work (and much more, of course). Having recently become a freelancer myself, I found his advice both helpful and inspiring. All in all, this book bolsters Marks' credentials as a professional musician and businessman, and comes highly recommended to anyone interested in getting some excellent and no doubt hard-earned advice.” James Boer Kirkland, WA
Book reviews Music4Games review excerpt: "The primary reason you need to get this book is because it is extremely effective in directing you towards your goal. That is assuming your goal is to get into the games industry, and as an audio pro no less. You do want to make games right? Aaron Marks covers everything from setting up shop to how to negotiate a contract. He explains important business concepts and terms that one needs to understand. This book is worth the cover price just for the CD-ROM if you ask me. Where else are you going to find somebody to draft ‘ready to use’ business contracts at this kind of cost?"
.jpg)
game audio development
Create game audio from the ground up with this comprehensive, multi-faceted resource designed for industry beginners and professionals alike! Game audio makes up one-third of the overall game experience: an experience that is part of the larger, multi-billion dollar video gaming industry. Game Audio Development tackles the complex world of audio by addressing all three major game audio disciplines: music composition, the creation of sound effects, and dialog performances. It begins by providing readers with a solid background and history of the discipline, and then progresses into equipment, techniques, skills, and coordinating these factors to produce effective audio that will enhance the gaming experience. The book concludes with a forecast for the future of game audio.