Just scroll down to see the “DAW of the Future” The debate of MAC vs. PC has long been a problem among digital composers. On the one hand, Apple’s MAC OS provides so many usability enhancements over its Windows counterpart that it is easy to see why so many composers would prefer the clean and uniform interface over the often messy and disgruntled Windows experience (although, with the advent of Windows 8 and metro, this may be changing). The other [...]

The first ever non-GDC G.A.N.G. Demo Derby is coming up on October 15th, and I’ve been asked to join the insanely talented Wilbert Roget, Dren McDonald and Jeff Essex on a panel to give feedback on a submission of demo reels from across the world. The Game Audio Network Guild (or, GANG) is a great resource for composers, sound designers, and voice over actors to collaborate, share success stories, tips, tricks, and hang out. GANG also offers a lot of [...]

Dies, Nox et Omnia (feat. Ryan C. Connelly and Danielle Messina) by Josh Whelchel Dies, Nox et Omnia Sheet Music (Voice only) This is something I wrote for the recent NiGHTS: Lucid Dreams album recently released by OCRemix.org. “Dies, Nox et Omnia” is an arrangement of “D’Force Master,” the theme of the wicked Wizeman from whom all nightmares are spun into being. One of the larger challenges I had with arranging this piece was the limited material I had to [...]

Here are the first 8 drafts of the OCRemix/Poolside song “Shine Tonight.”  Complete with crummy autotunage.  This is to celebrate tomorrow’s release of CHILDREN OF THE SUMMER, the first Poolside album. Shine Tonight by Poolside (please buy our album!)   Shine Tonight (D1) I woke up with this in my mind for some reason, so I put it down with some drafty super auto-tuned singage.  You can hear lyrics that changed, and a lot of the source.  The lyrics were [...]

Following the video of my “Free Lance Game Composition” panel is my talk on Indie Game Music.  I’m joined by Danny Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt), Andrew Aversa (Return all Robots), David Saulesco (Eternal Daughter), and Justin Johnson of Radio Free Gamer.  We talk about what we think makes a good indie soundtrack and take questions from the audience about our craft.  Danny and I (Josh) are both on the audio jury for the Indie Games Festival 2011, and everyone [...]

At MAGFest 9 I was privileged to host two panels and sit on one other.  I’ll go into more detail about the entire experience later, but in the meantime I’d like to share the first of my two panel videos with you.  Here is “Life of a Freelance Game Composer.”  With me are David Saulesco and Danny Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy) who help give additional insight.  My panel was followed by another video by Zircon, Will Roget, Jimmy Hinson, and Jill Aversa [...]

A few days ago I promised my twitter-people that when I reached 500 followers I’d put up a “Power of the Meat” remix kit.  I delayed in this process just a little bit so I could also include an INSTRUMENTAL and KARAOKE version of the song.  Now you can dress up as Meat Boy, Bandage Girl, or Dr. Fetus (or all three if you’re feeling ambitious) and sing along! (Go down a little further to get the REMIX KIT and [...]

Mastering, and preparing audio for in-game use is the usually last of the most important steps to preparing a soundtrack.  Without the proper polish, even the best music can sound dull, and besides, there certainly has got to be SOME reason people get excited about “remastered” albums. When I finish putting together a track for a game (or any track, really), I’ve got a well-mixed version that I wouldn’t mind listening to, but I often have to crank up the [...]

Mixing and Mastering is tough.  And it’s annoying, too, because you sit down and write all of this really great music, but at the end of the day it can really all go to waste if it doesn’t have that “right sparkle.”  And no, I don’t mean over-compressed limit-breaking overdriven mixes are the only way to get a good sound (see what I did there?).  Still, nearly every mix can use some sort of sonic adjustment, and this holds true [...]

Let’s talk Gear, ya know? But before I do that, I wanted to let everyone know that I’ve got limited edition GunGirl 2 Soundtrack CDs on sale for $8!  I’d really mean a lot to me if you’d stop by and pick one up to support future endeavors of mine, or as a “thank you” for reading this blog.  It’s got some incredibly sexy artwork by Amanda Appiarius along with a photograph of the team taken by Lauren Walsh. But, okay, enough [...]