The Complete Guide to Game Audio, Second Edition: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, Game Developers (Gama Network Series) [Paperback]

Aaron Marks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0240810740 | ISBN-13: 978-0240810744 | Edition: 2

Turn your musical passion into a profitable career with this exhaustive, indispensable resource for game audio. Develop the business and technical skills you need to succeed in the multibillion 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.

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. Technical considerations are explained in detail so that game audio professionals can make sense of complicated systems, learn about the highly involved programming elements, and create high quality audio without a hitch.

This new edition includes:

* Information on hot new next-generation game consoles - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Sony PSP.

* The companion DVD features audio and cinematic examples and sample business contracts.

--Aaron Marks is a highly influential industry leader who remains active in all aspects of game audio. Marks won Best Game Audio Article, Publication or Broadcast - Game Audio Network Guild Awards - 2002; and he is also an award-winning composer and sound designer (2004 Game Tunnel - Best Sound in an Independent Game of the Year Award - I of the Enemy). His knowledge is sought after and can help any game audio specialist grow in his/her field.

--Exhaustive, Indispensable resource for Game Audio - so that game audio professionals can do things like learn how to set up a studio, make a demo reel, find the work, bid on contracts, negotiate deals with clients and win the contracts.

--Technical considerations explained in detail so that game audio professionals can make sense of complicated systems, learn about the highly involved programming elements, and create high quality audio without a hitch.

--DVD includes audio samples, demos, interviews, and Dolby's latest Sound Development Kit so that game composers and sound designers can benefit quickly and easily by porting to their own work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Aaron Marks' The Complete Guide to Game Audio should be compulsory reading for anyone considering a career in game audio."

Greg O'Connor-Read, Founder & Editor, Music4Games


"Aaron's book is recommended reading in my USC and UCLA Composing Music for Video Games courses. It is a well-rounded presentation of what we video game composers do every day. Anyone wanting to know more about this great industry should start here!"

Lennie Moore, Composer, Outcast, Dragonshard, War of the Ring, Dirty Harry


"Aaron knows his stuff!"

George Sanger, The Fatman - Game Audio Legend


"Let the fat lady sing! Aaron has created the definitive resource for all things game audio. Bravo, Aaron!"

Chris Rickwood, Composer, Rickwood Music LLC


"Aaron Marks the spot. An informative, educated, thorough look at the game audio industry, and provides valuable insight into the production process of many of the top working professionals. The Complete Guide to Game Audio continues to be one of the best resources for game audio engineers and composers."

Keith Arem, Creative Director, PCB Productions


"Seven years ago, Aaron Marks redefined how to learn the art, science and business of making world-class game soundtracks with the release of 'The Complete Guide to Game Audio.' His groundbreaking contribution to game audio continues in this, the second edition of his seminal work!"

Todd M. Fay, Professional/Personal Coach (www.toddmfay.com) & President of DemoNinja (www.demoninja.com)

"This book has changed my life! To understand the game audio business, creativity and the people who are involved in this industry, Aaron Marks has put together the perfect easy-to-read manual. If you are reliable, talented, and excited about how to pursue a path into game audio, then this is THE BOOK for you. I read it, loved it, read it again, and ultimately followed Aaron's advice. Now I owe him my life...and so can you. Buy, immerse yourself, and tell everyone you know about this book!"

Watson Wu, Composer/Sound Designer/President, WOOTONES, LLC (a media & publishing company)


"Aaron Marks' book is THE most insightful look into the world of sound for the multi-billion dollar video game and interactive media industry. It is a resource as valuable to game producers and developers as it is to those looking to venture into the field as sound artists and composers. Bravo Mr. Marks!"

Jon Holland, Game Composer and Recording Artist


"Seven years after his successful first edition, Aaron Marks treats us to the long awaited up-to-date second version of "The Complete Guide to Game Audio" and I can only say, wow, he has pulled it off again!. The book boasts near to 500 pages filled with all the precious information the entrepreneurial composer/sound designer will ever need to get his foot in the door of the game companies. It covers all the important topics from creating the perfect demo reel to closing the deal, from choosing your tools to delivering top-notch audio. While giving a thorough and deep presentation of today's game audio world, it's also an easy and entertaining read topped off with lots of anecdotes and tricks of the trade taken directly from the mouths of some of the finest game audio creators. A must-buy for everyone turning a serious eye towards a profitable career in the game audio business."

Henning Nugel, Composer/Sound Designer, Nugel Bros. Music


"Aaron has created an extremely detailed and informative resource for all levels of composers and sound designers. Additionally, this book would be tremendously helpful for any game industry professionals who would like to gain understanding, insight and appreciation into the very complicated process of writing music and creating sound design for video games. Aaron has covered every possible subject that a person would encounter from start to finish in the game audio process including valuable creative and technical information as well as the ever-so-important - and many times most difficult part of the job - art of business negotiations and contracts. He has also included numerous inserts from other successful game audio professionals giving their real world perspectives and detailed insights related to their own experiences. Great job Aaron!"

Mark Scholl - Award-winning Composer, International Game Technology (IGT) and Screaming Tigers Music, Inc.


"Aaron Marks' work is definitely a landmark achievement for the game audio industry. It clearly explains many concepts that separate game audio skill sets from that of the film and television industries, and it does so in an accessible and fun style that welcomes all audio enthusiasts to join our exciting and interactive world."

Alexander Brandon, CEO, Celadon Studios

"Mr. Marks has done it again! I cannot imagine trying to break into the gaming audio industry without this book in my hands. It provides newcomers and seasoned vets alike access to the type of information crucial to not only break into, but to succeed in this highly competitive industry. This is information that will never show up in a Google search. It's like having a dozen industry pros by your side to answer any questions you may have. I am thrilled to have been a part of this book as it is a vital resource for so many."

Darryl S. Duncan, President/CEO, GameBeat Studios, LLC

About the Author

Music had always been a part of Aaron Marks' life. But it wasn't until 1995, when his overgrown hobby became On Your Mark Music Productions, that he began selling it to the world. He started with the local radio and television scene, composing jingles and scoring public service announcements. With his sights set firmly on Hollywood, he bumped into the games industry. Ever since that fated redirect, he has been cranking out music and sound effects for games. His credits include a PlayStation 2 game, five CD-ROM game projects, 56 on-line casino games, a dozen touch-screen arcade games, and numerous multimedia projects. As an occasional diversion, Aaron sidelines as a writer for Game Developer magazine, Gamasutra.com, and Music4Games.net.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (November 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240810740
• ISBN-13: 978-0240810744
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Acoustics & Sound
  • #87 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Recording & Sound

More About the Author

Best known as the author of The Complete Guide to Game Audio, Aaron Marks is not only an outspoken advocate of great audio in games, he is also an accomplished composer, sound designer, field recordist, voice over artist and owner of On Your Mark Music Productions based near San Diego, California. In addition, he is the lead author of the book, Game Audio Development, and is part of the audio production faculty at The Art Institute of California - San Diego. Some of his game credits include Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Tom Clancy's ENDWAR, The Settlers II - 10th Anniversary, The Settlers Traditions Edition, bittosHD and numerous video slot machines around the country. He divides his time between his love for all things audio, his family and their menagerie of farm animals.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to the world of Game Audio, March 9, 2010

By 

The Man "The Man" (Cali) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Game Audio, Second Edition: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, Game Developers (Gama Network Series) (Paperback)

This book focuses more on the business side of game audio. If you are looking for a 'how to' guide for composing and sound design, this is not the book for you.

However, for anyone interested in making a living by creating game audio content, this is a must read. Everything from networking, pricing your services, to standard contracts are covered. Of particular interest were the interviews throughout the book. Some more famous personalities, such as 'The Fat man' were interviewed, as well as some lesser known composers and sound designers. Some of them list what gear and software they use. I was surprised at both the spartan and the over the top set ups that some of these guys have.

The disc that comes with the book has some very useful content. Perhaps the best was the demos provided. If you are serious about composing, listen to these demos, they will give you an idea of what skill level you will need if you want to get any jobs.

Just a side note, at the end of the book Aaron suggests that you send him an email. I did, and got an encouraging response back from him. So he isn't just pretending to be a nice guy in the book, he really is!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a "Complete Guide", June 17, 2010

By 

Lewis R. Strasburg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Game Audio, Second Edition: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, Game Developers (Gama Network Series) (Paperback)

This book was not for me. I'm a student for Game and Simulation Programming looking for good a good introduction to the basics of Game Audio. The author has targeted this book directly at audio engineers who already have a good head start and want to market themselves to game developers as contractors. The majority of the material is about making money, and in fact it seems the author can not pass a topic without some reference to getting paid. As I read through most of the book, the material that I would have found useful was lost in a mess of anecdotes and rambling about the plights that composers have.

I rated it 2 stars because the writing was long winded, difficult to read, repetitious, incomplete, and poorly organized. This was not what I was expecting from a "complete guide".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide to video game audio I've read yet, October 4, 2011

By 

tjazzington - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Game Audio, Second Edition: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, Game Developers (Gama Network Series) (Paperback)

This is hands down the best book I've read on the subject of video game audio. It covers everything from: the Digital Audio Work Station (DAW), The Demo, Marketing, Contract Negotiations and more. If your an aspiring video game developer, sound designer, or composer get this book!