How I Got Into The Game Industry (As A Sound Designer)

[@MarshallMcGee]

Had to fix the credits quickly! Sorry for reupload. Enjoy.

[@klarnorbert]

Too bad that Just Cause 3 sucked ass big time.

[@atomictraveller]

i started multitracking in 1991, in 2002 i started developing VST plugins. i won a kvr DC ($1200) for them, had thousands of purchases and many ks of users. no one will ever hire me for a sound design position. despite the fact that i know sound so well, i implement the processes that people use for design. reason for this is i don't like to milk people fo rmy plugins and feel its a public benefit. my egalitarian, humanist attitude extends beyond industry so that i like to help people and speak out about things. all of this is forbidden in industry. i'm xoxos. i've made VST that model the larynx using segmented reflective waveguid junctions, generalised synthesizers for friction and mass-spring interaction, maybe 5-600 finished VST over the last 18 years. but i've never, ever, ever got to the point where i feel i'd rather make money off people and keep them stupid about all the things they need to hear about. i can tell you how to implement any synthesis process, i can also tell you what the u.s.a. is doing in west papua for the last fifty years without your knowledge. there are 700,000 dead and 2000 tons of tailings from just one mine per day. fuck, imagine how good at synthesis people would be if, twenty years ago, steinberg had deided to help people be more intelligent than makke dollas offa them. you want stories i got the stories, the shit the other VST companies did to make your crap stupid and useless and expensive. i was there. i saw you all do it. and believe me, i'm not the only person the audio industry ever did shit to.

[@Seuthra]

I have my audio engineering degree but looking to switch it up with sound design for games and movies and make an actual income. Do you have any suggestions?

[@abdullahrex2171]

InstaBlaster.

[@olic9461]

* Professional audio engineers after this video's release wondering why they're getting thousands of emails from people who happen to be in their area and would love a tour *

[@fishcake588]

def gonna be me lol

[@WizardReel]

Cool story on networking. Especially your point "Don't just make friends because you want a job, people can smell that attitude from a mile away". Well said.

[@yifanwu5205]

Thank you, Marshall. As a just graduated M.M music technology student, I feel really hopeless to get into the industry. But this video makes me think that I am listening from an old friend who is from the industry, and I am very motivated now. Thanks!!

[@chasingwheels01]

Bro i am in same situation and really want to know where are you now ?

[@qingyaocui2357]

"Instead of going out to bars in Boston, I was sitting in my apartment trying to learn sounds from my fav games." This is excatly what I did when I was in Berklee. Last week, I just got my first job as a game audio designer. Cheers!

[@seven4280]

Congratulations

[@niemand854]

Hey man, you're one of the best KZbinrs i know. I dont actually want to go into Sound Design, but into Game Animation. But still i enjoy your Vids very much. Thanks for all the Insight you're giving us. Greetings from Germany.

[@metalaos974]

It's unusual and very honnest to acknowledge how much luck played a role in your success. Most of the time success stories make it sound as if hard work is automatically rewarded. "If you follow your dream and work hard enough..." well you might as well not succeed beacause luck is a major factor.

[@shimlaDnB]

the tour works REALLY GOOD. i got so much industry connections just from visiting one studio that i really liked,

[@nessisasquid]

I'm a visual artist, not a sound artist, but I found your story of emailing so many professionals and scoring that one studio visit really inspiring! Thanks for sharing it!

[@THEJOHNNYFLASH]

Thank you for sharing your story! This channel has taught me so much about sound mixing and I'm grateful for the content you create!

[@rafacastillo4300]

I majored in Audio Engineering yet I usually doubt my own skills in mostly everything but now I'm trying to get back on track, I'm making my demo reel, still feeling overwhelmed since I know it's not an easy path but things like your video keep me working hard and keeping my head up. Thank you for your advices and amazing channel!

[@RusSlay0r]

Thank you. I started off producing music, to loving audio engineering, to realizing I could implement my love for audio with my love for video games. It is nice to see that I am on the right track of contacting people that worked on games that I loved.

[@CornichonSoundDesign]

I was feeling quite down and unmotivated about sound design, but watching this has inspired me. Great work man.

[@jameyr5531]

I'm working on my application for Digital Extremes. You're entirely right about connecting with people That's something I really need to work on.Thanks again Marshall for the great videos over the years, I'm always excited when you release a new one for us

[@tb_eest]

Oh my, good luck on Warframe

[@jameyr5531]

@@tb_eest Thank you sir!

[@SeanofAllTrades]

You're a genuine inspiration, sir. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@ya.viene.el.guanaco]

This video was such a motivational boost for me to keep pursuing this field of work! My greatest fear has always been that I have too little experience compared to all the other talent out there, but you showed that hard work and dedication eventually pays off.

[@pxldj]

Excelent as usual (again) 😊! Connections are essential in every area, the white noise tip is pure gold

[@dohrok]

I'm a Dubstep producer who is really just interested in everything when it comes to sound, and video game audio has been peaking my interest lately. I found your channel recommended through the GameAudio subreddit and I'm incredibly pleased to have found this. It's been incredibly useful not just with information on game audio but general sound design techniques I would not have normally thought to try. I look forward to implementing some of these tips into some cool bass sounds for music but more so as I dive more into game audio and build my own portfolio. Thank you for these videos sir.

[@ProphetAudio]

Thanks for another super inspiring video Marshall, uuge fan I actually just completed a similar path to yours by working on a KZbin channel and doing audio on a documentary as my major project for university. And now I’m trying my best to meet new people but it’s so motivating to hear how persistent you were when you finished school Peter

[@xXAMP105Xx]

I felt very similar in college. I just graduated from college with a degree in Game and Animation and ended up doing all the sound design for nearly every project throughout my learning career. Learning on my own is a challenge but watching your videos over the past 4 years helped my experience greatly. Thanks for your story Marshall. Hopefully I could work with you down the road.

[@Saggrotan]

Thank you for sharing your story. I think luck plays a role, however it's about the persistence to give that luck a little more extra room to grow into a real chance. I'm working in the industry myself - in another role. I love your videos, keep it up Marshall!

[@christophergreene13]

Thanks for sharing your story and bits of insight and gained wisdom. It’s comforting to know the pieces of discouragement are universal and just part of the process sometimes; just have to keep making cool sounds and push through. Keep at it man, love your work!!

[@MagusSerling]

Hey Marshall. I'm a sound designer in the animation field, I've always wanted to sound design a game, and this was a great story to hear. Thanks for telling. I'll be watching more of your stuff soon!

[@ahsukfagwwgbfakywgfkagwkfg]

Game audio seems like such an interesting niche in terms of KZbin videos. There are plenty of channels on KZbin about game design and art design, but this series is definitely interesting.

[@Gugusie]

Again another geniune discussion about what motivates you and good advices for people interested. The tips are a great way to demonstrates how much diverse background for this kind of job can be important :D

[@Darkest-Light]

Thanks a ton for this! I've a passing (but avid) interest in Sound Design but personally have no aspirations to enter Game Audio Design as a career (have an entirely different one in mind!) but this was inspiring nonetheless, and you've definitely sold your career to me; if that presentation for your school President didn't work, this certainly would! I hope many aspiring sound designers, nascent or venerated, watch this video to rekindle their love for their craft-- no, everyone should! It's a wonderful template for driving forth a career and a swelling testament to the benefits of networking know-how, cementing yet again, why you're my favourite person on KZbin. I wish you everything good in the World.

[@AmitDebnath09]

Modern warfare sound video (which was awesome btw) led me here and now I feel better equipped to excel in my craft. Thank you and more of your stories please!

[@TachyBunker]

I had never considered contacting studios myself! Thanks for this video, see you soon hopefully!

[@prod_4484]

As a producer I genuinely hear your passion for game sound design, and I agree we do have to shed more light on the topic that is sound design. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@mekannatarry1929]

Defenitely inspiring; I have delved more and more into the subject over the years, and did a few basic projects, but I don't have anyone to talk about it in depth, my main drive for getting a job either in gaming, or any medium really, is to simply learn more while meeting folk with the same interests along the way.

[@stijnboeren3943]

Man, you're an inspiration. In your case you definitely didn't get in the industry because of luck, it was persistance and courage that led you there.

[@FerroAudio]

This video actually inspired me to go meet the game audio devs of the Angry Birds games and by far it was the best experience I ever had. They pushed me to a right direction and I feel like moving from movie audio to game audio could actually be the way I would personally enjoy doing sound design. Thanks Marshall!

[@samuelmoon3739]

I'm not in the creative/sound design industry, but your story and tips I found to be universally helpful. Thanks

[@AntonSherar]

Thank you so much for this. This was really inspiring and motivating

[@flashfilibuster5382]

This is one of the greatest videos I've watched. Thank you for making it and thank you for sharing your story, a lot of insiders are reluctant to do that as it shows weakness and can make them appear anything other than perfect.

[@colinhawks2469]

I’m so glad that I subscribed to this channel...the gap between uploads may be a journey, but my goodness the quality! Love it!

[@cerulean5881]

that idea of remaking the audio from an animation clip or video is brilliant! i'm totally going to try do that

[@patrickbrown3000]

Thank you for making this video. Its been very inspiring and gives me hope. Ive been looking for work for a little while but its nice to know that it should pay off with some hard work. everywhere I go I hear the same thing. Networking is number one. I look forward to your content always. thank you again for everything you produce.

[@WelrodYT]

Inspiring video, I feel so lucky to be a junior sound designer and lead audio on 2 projects right now. Even more inspiring when I see you picked that UMF Skrillex intro who is just ... NASTY, and that scene from INSIDE. If you come near Montreal someday, I'll be happy to meet you ! Keep it up !

[@anthonynelson1699]

I've recorded my own music for years, and due to my love of music, film, gaming, and the sound design/recording process for all three, I've just fallen in love with your channel. Fantastic work, my friend!

[@Echelon111999]

Yoooo Marshal i owe you man, I watched one of your videos few days ago and i learned something that totally changed my audio editing. You said that by duplicating the sound and moving the 2nd one an octave or two down, it would give the sound a low end or a richer sound. And that my friend, works like magic for gun sounds (i design gun sounds for games) thank you again and good luck in your work.

[@Manzi.]

What a great video, this is so interesting. This was so much more motivating that I expected. Onwards and upwards dude

[@Odaun]

Honestly I had never really considered Game Audio before much, but thanks to this video I think I want to look a little further into it, so thanks for the motivation to do that!

[@MacCarell]

Man you are a really positive and strong person, and your passion comes across and makes ur vids super cool to watch. Here's hoping I get a couple stories like yours one day

[@gingerbreadgirlprod]

I've been doing notch EQ to kill offending frequencies on dialogue, but never thought to patch it with white noise. Killer tip. Thanks!

[@Hyoga3D]

Great story! And the part of getting obssesed with the work is so true, I know that by experience hahah Thanks for doing this awesome channel!

[@Curiacity]

I would love more videos like this, giving tips on how to get started as a sound designer. - From someone still beginning this journey in college.

[@ZedEdge]

It's funny - as much as I'm passionate about the game industry and sound design, I'm actually quite content working as a visual artist at the moment. This video is definitely insightful and inspiring, but for me it's also just pleasantly entertaining. Looking forward to whatever you've got next. :)

[@TankyFrank]

Thank you for taking the time to put this together I just started audio production schooling and this is just what I was looking for, subscribed and will watching much more now. AND TAKING NOTES!

[@HedOnFire]

Hey Marshall! I'm a freshly graduated student from an audio-centric program and I found your video very informative. I've been working day in and out trying to make connections (to varying degrees of success) and get more involved within the game audio community. I had never thought to make a folder of white noise to have as a source of sound for design, which seems so obvious now! Just wanted to leave a message to say thanks for the great video, it really was inspiring!

[@jaimeimjeax228]

I'm totally down to hear more stories from you and sound design for games since I think is what most of us in your channel love and aim to do as a profession :D great video

[@KeksuzzZ]

Thank You a lot for you show! It is the most useful one i have found in network. Thumbs up!!! Waiting for your new sound design tips.

[@JamesSmith-cv9di]

Hey man, I'm starting school next month to get an audio engineering cert. I've always loved video games and specifically how important good sound is to them. To be honest, I'm really nervous about the future and finding a decent job in an industry I love, but this video has really helped encourage me to pursue that dream against that nervousness, thanks a bunch man, truely inspiring.

[@gloriuspaprikachips]

This is great, thanks for the video! Very interesting and inspiring to hear your story and I appreciate how honest and genuinely you tell it.

[@eliaspagnani2827]

[@branm5459]

Glad I saw your story, some of the colleges I’m applying to have courses related to video games

[@georgiasomething2064]

this was really really useful thank you so so much. I've been looking for someone like you to help me in beginning to make sense of my journey to come after leaving education

[@brandonbec8064]

Hey, just wanted to say thank you! This video really helped me and inspired me to take up audio design. It's something I have been thinking about, but wasn't sure where to go with it. I have always wanted to get into the video game business and alot of your tips are going to help me in my future career. So again, thank you.

[@ajryangameaudio]

That's an awesome story Marshall, thanks so much for sharing - what you're doing is what I want to do so I appreciate the advice and will take it on board!!

[@soundsbydane361]

Great video and description on how you joined an AAA studio. Everywhere I go to look for advice either gives a vague answer or doesn't answer at all lol.

[@emmanuellagumbay4676]

Hey Marshall - I've been watching your videos for awhile now. They're super insightful. I'm surprised we haven't run into each other at events like GameSoundCon or GDC yet. Maybe someday. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@sethburke2626]

I am very glad you made this video. Thank you for sharing your path to success.

[@joelvibes375]

This video was really motivating and the tips can be applied to alot of industries which is also great

[@scaryscotsman]

Absolutely awesome man!! I love your work and its a real encouragement to get some advice on this topic! Cheers :D

[@laptopolist]

Wonderful. Gonna play this for my game audio students tomorrow.

[@ZachHeyde]

Dude, how have I JUST found this?? My buddy Frank Tedesco cued me into this--I had no idea that the Skrillex track was an inspiration for you! Really appreciate you sharing (and for the incredibly kind shoutout :) )

[@SlimedogYT]

This was super informative. Your videos always motivate me and this one was just as effective if not more so

[@importedloser]

Marshall please keep making videos like this, up until now I thought the only person that was struggling to make connections and meet people in the industry was me (I know, how narcissistic)

[@hewhoisme4343]

Nothing short of an amazing video

[@cookedbyEL]

Thank you so much for this video man. I'm motivated to explore the field even more with some of the tips you mentioned in the video. I'm South African sound engineer graduate and I've explored music production, vocal mixing etc but I've always wanted to create and mix some of the sounds from games and as expected it's a tough industry to break into. Although this is a 2 year old video, the information seems timeless. Thank you, I'll keep on pushing

[@Teflora]

I'm gonna be next week in japan to the bitsummit! And while I don't necessarily NEED another job as sound designer, I wanna take it more serious to present myself as a professional and maybe something will come around. This motivated me alot, so thanks! :)

[@Clomry]

Really nice video. I think the advices you gave can be hepful for anyone trying to get into a niche industry like sound engineering or sound design. It's really motivating ! BTW, I love both this video style and your sound design tips/tutorials videos.

[@tylorlayfield6862]

Love the content. Wanted to subscribe after seeing the first video. Reading the comments and your genuine replies sealed the deal. You're an amazing creator and better person. Thank you for doing what you do. I think that this was an awesome video idea. People are so quick to make excuses and tell themselves it won't happen. You said that your story was luck but really you just took that little bit of will power and went outside of the box. And you made it happen. You're awesome man. Keep inspiring. And congratulations !

[@louise1021]

You are so determined. An inspiration!

[@kreep8744]

thanks for this video will defiantly try harder to get into the industry now :)

[@thistle1923]

Hey! This stuff is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much this definitely helps out with cleaning up the scope at least a little. I'm in that panic phase of "what do I do now?". And this totally helps.

[@Zeis]

That was fantastic mate, thank you for sharing your story :)

[@crookedhollows7726]

Replacing removed frequencies with white noise at 8:10 thats GENIUS!

[@MaKAudioGuy]

This was fantastic. Thank you for spending the time on making these. Would love to make some videos myself at some point. You're an inspiration. KEEP DOING IT!

[@finfamous2546]

tips at the end were awesome, you should definitely do a massive tips list

[@cubvmusic]

Thanks a lot! So inspiring! It's a relief to see that we all go through similar anxieties in audio career path 🤣

[@lobsterboy64]

I'm a video editor, and you just made me love sound effects even more

[@jameslyonheart7928]

Man, it looks like making Sfx for my animated movie is gonna be hard. But these videos really help the drive to do it!

[@Readysetheal]

Urgh. I don't know why stories like this make me feel like shit. Sure, I could be "working on my craft" right now, but instead I try to divert my attention by binging youtube, because tomorrow is another 24h shift on a dead-end job full of misery and self-hatred. I can work on my personal projects through the day off and then come back to my job with feeling that I didn't get any rest. I can play videogames through the day off and come back to my job with a feeling of guilt over zero progress. The fact that no place in my country teaches anything related to videogames doesn't help either. I wish I had more time, or at least that I could get rid of that sinking feeling of next working day.

[@MarshallMcGee]

Sorry to hear you’re going through that man. I totally understand what you’re saying about budgeting your time off. Don’t feel guilty. There are plenty of days that I get home from a particularly long day and have to put aside the waveform editing and just relax and play some games or bake some bread or something. We all need to have a dialogue with ourselves and be honest about self care and free time. I don’t prescribe to the “work 24 hours a day and achieve your goals and kill yourself to get there”. Those 2am mornings I’m talking about in the video happen maybe once every couple months. Doing that every day is unsustainable. I will say though that if you can set small, achievable goals that push you along your way to a better career or even your dream job, a small amount of self imposed pain along the way can be well worth it, just don’t overdo it and learn when you need time off, we all need a break.

[@Readysetheal]

@@MarshallMcGee Thank you. I... I really needed that. Sorry for the blubber above. Glad it worked out for you. Putting foot in the door is the worst part, or so I heard.

[@halrees6963]

@@Readysetheal Dude, know that pain, 7 years in a call centre before finally cracking my first full time sound design/composition job. I think that feeling you have there is not only common but completely normal when you're working toward a goal with no well worn path. It's the part of the "just keep going" advice that isn't really talked about. Feeling like there's not enough time or energy in a day. Feeling like the job you have to do to survive is at complete odds to your goal. Not knowing what comes next. Thinking "Should I change goals and head toward something more "viable" because if I have to do this deadshit job every day, I might as well do something that pays better". Doing 3 month long projects for "experience" and at the end of each one wondering what happens now because no-one is calling to take advantage of all the great experience you've just got. All that and more will happen. Our man Marshall's advice is super solid, give yourself an emotional break man, there's enough pressure in life without also beating yourself up over "wasted time". Play some games, watch some videos, decompress, get outside and stare at the horizon for a while. Take that time you need to balance yourself because you can't sprint up Everest. Couple of big game changers for my journey: Figure our your ideal dream goal and work backwards from there. Want to work on the next GTA? What skills/experience would you need to do that? Do you have them? If not what's the step before that? Perhaps get work on an AAA title. Do you have the skills/experience for that? If not what's the next step before that? Perhaps getting experience on any game, indie/student... keep working backwards to where you are right now and that is your path wherever that might be. This will at least take away some of that uncertainty that plagues us all because you can now measure your progress. Do a little first thing every day. If you have a shit, energy sucking job try and carve out a little time in your day when you still have energy and work on one of the goals skills you've discovered in the step above. Maybe that means waking up an hour earlier in the morning and setting yourself a mini mission before work starts. Maybe that means finish work, come home, eat, play some games to get you hyped about what you want and then doing a half hour mission then. Whatever it is stick to the time limit you've set yourself and don't go over it. The idea is to work quickly and cut it before you grind so the thirst stays with you. A little bit each day adds up. Get involved! Like Marshall said in the vid, go to events and make genuine connections with people. Go to game jams, game schools, game developer meet ups, game conventions. Great thing is you all have one big thing in common, you love games! It might be a bit harder now with all the plague going on but even online forums and communities can be a great way to start getting into it all. Cut out the crutch. This one may not apply to you but it if it does it can be a big change. I was addicted to lifting. I was super into strongman and powerlifting and it was my escape and sense of purpose I used to get through having a crap job. Thing was it was eating up ALL my mental RAM. Like 90% of the day if I wasn't in the gym I'd be thinking about how to tweak a workout, lift or my diet to get the most out of it. I only clicked onto the fact it was getting in the way when I was about to do a Peter Dinklage; quit my job and not do any paid work unless it was audio, when my girlfriend at the time said to me "is it reaaally the job that's getting in the way of this or is there something else that might be worse?". So I decided to quit going to the gym until I got a paid job in audio instead. After 9 of the most productive months of my audio life I landed the job I have now. As mentioned this one may not be applicable to everyone but if there's something in your life like that, ditching it can be a game changer; it gave me the time and energy to figure out and do the previous 3 things and do them well. Most importantly, like mentioned before, give yourself a break from time to time. This is obviously 2 years later but if you're still on the path I hope it helps!

[@Readysetheal]

@@halrees6963 hey, pal, thanks for that comment, late or not! I'm currently saving up for my project, so even if it won't be profitable, I'll still have something tangible that can help me land on a similar job later.

[@owencoopersfx]

I like the white noise library tip. I find myself creating and rendering some white noise snippets pretty often, and really I should just take some time to make a small library of different colored or modulated white noise to more quickly grab in the future. Thanks for the pointer :)

[@zbeast]

I love your videos... they are always informative. it's been very helpful for my sound projects...

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

Thank you! Just thank you! You know exactly why, so thank you!

[@bluposn3r]

Thank you Marshall! This is awesome 👌🏻

[@polyfawn]

This is so motivating I am excited to start this journey

[@Lukz243]

Not a sound designer, but I've loved your story (and I'll keep your advices in mind when entering in video game industry)

[@Jopter]

Man, what a journey! I can totally relate though- since I essentially did the same thing, haha. Being obsessed with something really does help getting you far!

[@cirodaniel_]

This was awesome!! Also cool your design passion started with edm 🙌🏻💯

[@joseandujarjr]

I'm feeling motivated!!! Thank you!!

[@maxfruhstuck6084]

Imma come back to this video in a couple years hopefully working in the AAA gaming industry thanks for the insight and information very helpful video :)

[@BookooZenny]

Thanks for this, Marshall.

[@kaibutterfield6576]

You are the reason I've started to practice game audio

[@louisfredgagnon]

It did motivate me! I was doing my homeworks on nuendo and finally decided to look for some video on the net about getting into the industry. Really appreciate the tips and can't wait to work with you one day, if possible! Louis, Sound Design for Movies and Video Games Campus Notre-Dame-De-Foy, Québec

[@tommunism48]

I really like the way that you sort of got yourself out there, I'm not someone that's super into sound design but I am an artist looking to do game stuff, y'know? I think I might try that myself, just with art right. Love the video!

[@timyeah]

First video I found from you. Going to binge watch your videos. Thanks 🙏

[@wingvicarious]

nice video. would love to see more real world kind of videos, keep up the good work