game audio questions Asbjoern Andersen

Posted by Asbjoern Andersen in Game audio


How do you get started - and make it - in game audio? To help with those inevitable questions on where to begin, what to expect, what to focus on, and how to succeed, Akash Thakkar has launched a great series of short, to-the-point answers to many of the questions that typically come to mind. Check out his thoughts and answers in the videos below + explore the additional 21 resources we've found for you:
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Animal Hyperrealism IV Is Here!

 

Game audio topics covered:

Click below to jump straight to your chosen topic:

Should you go to school to work in game audio? • What gear do you need to work in game music and sound? • What do you need to know to work in the game industry? • Can you find game audio projects online? • Can you make money as a sound designer? • How do you get feedback on your demo reel? • How much should you charge? • How do you get game audio experience WITHOUT a job? • Do you need to code to work in game audio? • How long will it take before you start getting paid for your music and sound work? • Can you be an in-house composer? • Are you too old to work in games? • Do you have to be a game audio freelancer?

+ 21 additional resources on how to make it in sound


 

Should you go to school to work in game audio?

Do you have to go to university/college to work in game audio, or in the game industry as a whole?



Should You Go to School? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

What gear do you need to work in game music and sound?

Do you really need tons of fancy microphones and recorders to get started as a composer/sound designer?



What Gear Do You Need to Work in Game Music and Sound? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

What do you need to know to work in the game industry?

In this video, Akash Thakkar lets you in on a skill that many people are seriously lacking in the game industry:



What do you need to know to work in the game industry? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Can you find game audio projects online?

In this video, Akash Thakkar tells you why it’s a bad idea to rely purely on online networking to get freelance gigs in the game industry:



Can you find game audio projects online? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Can you make money as a sound designer?

Some thoughts on whether or not you can actually make a GOOD living as a sound designer in games:



Can You Make Money as a Sound Designer? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

How do you get feedback on your demo reel?

Here’s how you can get great feedback on your portfolio and demo reel:



How to Get Feedback on your Demo Reel | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

How much should you charge?

Insights on that eternal question: How much should you charge for your music and sound?



How Much Should You Charge? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

Popular on A Sound Effect right now - article continues below:


Trending right now:

  •
    Cinematic & Trailer Sound Effects CIRCUS Horror Strings Play Track 180 sounds included $0

    Strident and Demonic

    Expand the timbre of your horror violins and cellos with CIRCUS, a sinister sample pack featuring 180 WAV sounds of screeching or high-pitched string noises, perfect for horror music and dark sound design.

    Creative Tension

    This collection offers a curated selection of screeches, high-tension tremolo, heavy jeté strokes, dark demonic textures, finger patterns, chaotic string elements, clock loops and bow accents.

    Haunting and Experimental

    Create haunting atmospheres, perfect for horror, thriller or experimental soundtracks. Every element has been designed to unsettle and disturb, blurring the line between music and noise.

    Add to cart
  • Animal Sound Effects Collections Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV Play Track 2096 sounds included, 78 mins total $153
    ⏰ For a very limited time:
    Add this library to the cart and enter ah4launch in the cart coupon field – to sprinkle an extra launch discount, on top of the current discount!

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV is a sound library containing animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 2000 individual sounds in 294 files. The sounds were recorded in zoos, and wildlife centers.

    The asset list includes but is not limited to: hippos, hyenas, vultures, dwarf mongooses, elephants, African cranes, parrots, tigers, pigmy hippos, rhea ostriches, brown bears, pheasants, wildebeests, African wild dogs and many more. The content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K, an Avisoft CMPA and a Sennheiser 8050 for center plus two Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    15 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Funny / Comedy / Cartoon Anime Game – Universal Sound Sets Library Play Track 1433 sounds included, 155 mins total $63.20

    Anime Game is an immersive collection of 1,433 high-energy, anime-inspired sound effects, meticulously crafted for game developers, content creators, and sound designers. This library fuses classic Japanese anime and game audio aesthetics with cutting-edge sound design techniques. Inspired by Dragon Ball Z, Smash Bros, Akira, and more, each sound delivers the stylized punch, impact, and cinematic magic that defines the genre.

    • 1433 sound effects in total
    • All in 96k 24bit .wav
    • 5+ GB of samples
    • 337 sound sets / glued files
    20 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Game Audio Packs - Game Sound Effects Libraries JRPG Games Ⅲ Play Track 65 sounds included $3

    a collection of female orgasms performed by eight professional voice actors, including the voices of orgasm, moans and oral sex, breathe life into your female characters by giving them high-quality voices with this newly updated audio library!

    this collection features 65 professionally recorded human sounds, created by various voice over artists and actors.

    80 %
    OFF
    Ends 1761951599
    Add to cart
Latest releases:

  •
    Car Sound Effects Compact Cars 3 Play Track 2385 sounds included, 412 mins total $250

    Compilation of 10 different compact cars. Sounds are recorded with RØDE NTG1, RØDELink Lav, Line Audio Omni1, Shure KSM137, Shure VP88, Sonorous Objects SO.3 FEL Pluggy XLR EM272 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II, Zoom F3 recorders. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds.


    Packs included:
    Automobilwerk Eisenach Wartburg 1.3 1988 compact car
    BMW 1 Series E87 2004 compact car
    Kia Ceed 2006 compact car
    Lada Riva 1980 compact car
    Opel Astra H 2004 compact car
    Renault Megane 1999 compact car
    Seat Leon 2005 Compact Car
    Skoda Octavia 2004 compact car
    Volkswagen Golf 2008 compact car
    Zastava Florida 1988 compact car
    Add to cart
  • Car Sound Effects Hyundai Tiburon 1999 sports car Play Track 236 sounds included, 47 mins total $65

    All files are recorded 32bit, 192 kHz, with RØDE NTG1, Line Audio Omni1 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II recorder. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds. It is only available in UCS.

    Add to cart
  • Hum, Buzz & Glitch Sound Effects Massive Soldering Play Track 426 sounds included, 15 mins total $29.99

    MASSIVE SOLDERING – 426 files of solder sound effects, from several component repair sessions. From quick zips and zaps, to burning, sizzling and melting sears. Massive Soldering comes in at over 15 minutes, of metallic hisses and harsh bubbling. Bring the power of metallic vapors to your next project. Recorded at 192kHz and 32bit, using microphones capable of recording ultrasonic frequencies. Massive Soldering filenames are in the Universal Category System format with additional Metadata baked-in.
    Don’t need a Massive amount of Solder sound effects? We offer ‘Mini’ sound effect libraries as companions for all of our ‘Massive’ sound effect libraries. All recordings are unique to each library with no overlap. Go Mini today, and upgrade to the corresponding Massive library later, when you need more of that particular sound effect.

    40 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Hum, Buzz & Glitch Sound Effects Mini Soldering Play Track 50 sounds included, 2 mins total $6.99

    MINI SOLDERING – 50 files of solder sound effects, from several component repair sessions. From quick zips and zaps, to burning, sizzling and melting sears. Mini Soldering comes in at over 2 minutes, of metallic hisses and harsh bubbling. Bring the power of metallic vapors to your next project. Recorded at 192kHz and 32bit, using microphones capable of recording ultrasonic frequencies. Mini Soldering filenames are in the Universal Category System format with additional Metadata baked-in.
    Looking for a Massive amount of Solder sound effects? We offer ‘Massive’ sound effect libraries as companions for all of our ‘Mini’ sound effect libraries. All recordings are unique to each library with no overlap. Go Mini today, and upgrade to the corresponding Massive library later, when you need more of that particular sound effect.

    30 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Foley Sound Effects Cards and Dice Play Track 930+ sounds included $14.99

    Cards and Dice is a winning collection of tactile tabletop sounds. Shuffle, riffle, deal, flip and fold through two distinct decks — one old and soft, one crisp and snappy.

    Roll D20s, D6s and mini D6s by hand or with a dice tumbler across felt, wood and cork tabletops.

    Stack, slide and scatter poker chips with satisfying weight and precision.

    Perfect for games, animations and interface feedback.

    Includes 930 files recorded in 24bit / 96khz.

    25 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
Need specific sound effects? Try a search below:

 
How do you get game audio experience WITHOUT a job?

Look around and you’ll see almost EVERY game industry job requires some form of experience… so how do you get experience if you’re new to the field?



Getting Game Dev Experience WITHOUT a Job | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Do you need to know how to code to work in game audio?

Do you need to know how to program to work in game audio? Here are some insights on that:



Do You Need to Code to Work in Game Audio? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

How long until you get paid?

How long will it take before you start getting paid for your music and sound work?



How Long Until You Get Paid? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Can you be an in-house composer?

Is it possible to become an in-house, full-time composer at a game company? Listen in as we cover whether or not that’s possible:



Can You Be an In-House Composer? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Are you too old to work in games?

Wondering if it’s too late to work in the game industry if you’re above a certain age? Some thoughts on that here:



Are You Too Old to Work in Games? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Do you have to be a game audio freelancer?

Do you HAVE to freelance to work in games? Here are Akash’s thoughts on that:



Do You Have to be a Freelancer? | Game Audio FAQs


 
↑ Back to topics

 

A big thanks to Akash Thakkar for his game audio insights! And if you’re looking for further resources on how to get started and make it in audio, check out our hand-picked selection below:

 

 

Further reading on freelance audio success:

Want to learn more about making it in audio? We’ve done some digging and have found the following resources for you – hope they come in handy!

Succeed in game audio:

• How to Set (and Get) the Right Price for Your Audio Work

• 10 Essential Tips for Game Audio Freelancers

• How to be a successful sound designer – with Scott Gershin

• 5 Useful Tips for Upcoming Sound Designers and Sound Editors

• Building a successful audio post studio – with Kate Finan and Jeff Shiffman
 

Breaking into game audio – guides and resources:

• The ‘Quit Aspiring’ book – by Adam Croft

• Applying for a job in game audio – by Matthew Florianz

• Freelance Game Audio: Getting Started and finding work – by Ashton Morris

• Yet Another Game Audio Hiring Article – by Ariel Gross

• Courses: How to network and get paid for your work in the game industry – by Akash Thakkar

 

Finding those audio jobs:

• Hand-picked audio jobs on Soundlister

• Get the weekly Audio Jobs newsletter

• Join the Audio Jobs Facebook group
 

Showcasing your work:

• Get a free profile on Soundlister

• Upload your demos to Soundcloud

• Upload your demos to ReelCrafter
 

Networking:

• Find game audio community groups around the world

• Find interesting audio events around the world
 

Education and knowledge:

• Get an audio mentor at the Audio Mentoring Project

• Read the 100s of sound stories and guides here on the A Sound Effect blog (search for stories here)

• Browse Industry Data: Game Music and Sound Design Salary Survey Results

• Take online courses in Wwise, FMOD Studio, Unity, Pure Data & Unreal at the School of Video Game Audio


 
↑ Back to topics

 

Please share this:


 


 
 
THE WORLD’S EASIEST WAY TO GET INDEPENDENT SOUND EFFECTS:
 
A Sound Effect gives you easy access to an absolutely huge sound effects catalog from a myriad of independent sound creators, all covered by one license agreement - a few highlights:

  •
    Cinematic & Trailer Sound Effects CIRCUS Horror Strings Play Track 180 sounds included $0

    Strident and Demonic

    Expand the timbre of your horror violins and cellos with CIRCUS, a sinister sample pack featuring 180 WAV sounds of screeching or high-pitched string noises, perfect for horror music and dark sound design.

    Creative Tension

    This collection offers a curated selection of screeches, high-tension tremolo, heavy jeté strokes, dark demonic textures, finger patterns, chaotic string elements, clock loops and bow accents.

    Haunting and Experimental

    Create haunting atmospheres, perfect for horror, thriller or experimental soundtracks. Every element has been designed to unsettle and disturb, blurring the line between music and noise.

    Add to cart
  • Animal Sound Effects Collections Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV Play Track 2096 sounds included, 78 mins total $153
    ⏰ For a very limited time:
    Add this library to the cart and enter ah4launch in the cart coupon field – to sprinkle an extra launch discount, on top of the current discount!

    Animal Hyperrealism Vol IV is a sound library containing animal vocalisations, from real to designed creatures totaling more than 2000 individual sounds in 294 files. The sounds were recorded in zoos, and wildlife centers.

    The asset list includes but is not limited to: hippos, hyenas, vultures, dwarf mongooses, elephants, African cranes, parrots, tigers, pigmy hippos, rhea ostriches, brown bears, pheasants, wildebeests, African wild dogs and many more. The content has been recorded at 192KHz with a Sanken CO100K, an Avisoft CMPA and a Sennheiser 8050 for center plus two Sennheiser MKH8040 for stereo image.

    The resulting ultrasonic spectrum is rich and allows for truly extreme manipulation of the content.

    15 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Game Audio Packs - Game Sound Effects Libraries JRPG Games Ⅲ Play Track 65 sounds included $3

    a collection of female orgasms performed by eight professional voice actors, including the voices of orgasm, moans and oral sex, breathe life into your female characters by giving them high-quality voices with this newly updated audio library!

    this collection features 65 professionally recorded human sounds, created by various voice over artists and actors.

    80 %
    OFF
    Ends 1761951599
    Add to cart
Explore the full, unique collection here
Latest sound effects libraries:
 
  • Car Sound Effects Compact Cars 3 Play Track 2385 sounds included, 412 mins total $250

    Compilation of 10 different compact cars. Sounds are recorded with RØDE NTG1, RØDELink Lav, Line Audio Omni1, Shure KSM137, Shure VP88, Sonorous Objects SO.3 FEL Pluggy XLR EM272 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II, Zoom F3 recorders. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds.


    Packs included:
    Automobilwerk Eisenach Wartburg 1.3 1988 compact car
    BMW 1 Series E87 2004 compact car
    Kia Ceed 2006 compact car
    Lada Riva 1980 compact car
    Opel Astra H 2004 compact car
    Renault Megane 1999 compact car
    Seat Leon 2005 Compact Car
    Skoda Octavia 2004 compact car
    Volkswagen Golf 2008 compact car
    Zastava Florida 1988 compact car
    Add to cart
  • Car Sound Effects Hyundai Tiburon 1999 sports car Play Track 236 sounds included, 47 mins total $65

    All files are recorded 32bit, 192 kHz, with RØDE NTG1, Line Audio Omni1 and FEL Clippy XLR EM272 microphones, Sound Devices MixPre-6 II recorder. Library contains wav files of driving, interior and exterior foley, mechanical and electrical sounds. It is only available in UCS.

    Add to cart
  • Hum, Buzz & Glitch Sound Effects Massive Soldering Play Track 426 sounds included, 15 mins total $29.99

    MASSIVE SOLDERING – 426 files of solder sound effects, from several component repair sessions. From quick zips and zaps, to burning, sizzling and melting sears. Massive Soldering comes in at over 15 minutes, of metallic hisses and harsh bubbling. Bring the power of metallic vapors to your next project. Recorded at 192kHz and 32bit, using microphones capable of recording ultrasonic frequencies. Massive Soldering filenames are in the Universal Category System format with additional Metadata baked-in.
    Don’t need a Massive amount of Solder sound effects? We offer ‘Mini’ sound effect libraries as companions for all of our ‘Massive’ sound effect libraries. All recordings are unique to each library with no overlap. Go Mini today, and upgrade to the corresponding Massive library later, when you need more of that particular sound effect.

    40 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Hum, Buzz & Glitch Sound Effects Mini Soldering Play Track 50 sounds included, 2 mins total $6.99

    MINI SOLDERING – 50 files of solder sound effects, from several component repair sessions. From quick zips and zaps, to burning, sizzling and melting sears. Mini Soldering comes in at over 2 minutes, of metallic hisses and harsh bubbling. Bring the power of metallic vapors to your next project. Recorded at 192kHz and 32bit, using microphones capable of recording ultrasonic frequencies. Mini Soldering filenames are in the Universal Category System format with additional Metadata baked-in.
    Looking for a Massive amount of Solder sound effects? We offer ‘Massive’ sound effect libraries as companions for all of our ‘Mini’ sound effect libraries. All recordings are unique to each library with no overlap. Go Mini today, and upgrade to the corresponding Massive library later, when you need more of that particular sound effect.

    30 %
    OFF
    Add to cart
  • Foley Sound Effects Cards and Dice Play Track 930+ sounds included $14.99

    Cards and Dice is a winning collection of tactile tabletop sounds. Shuffle, riffle, deal, flip and fold through two distinct decks — one old and soft, one crisp and snappy.

    Roll D20s, D6s and mini D6s by hand or with a dice tumbler across felt, wood and cork tabletops.

    Stack, slide and scatter poker chips with satisfying weight and precision.

    Perfect for games, animations and interface feedback.

    Includes 930 files recorded in 24bit / 96khz.

    25 %
    OFF
    Add to cart

   

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