Why Work Directly With An Original Soundtrack Composer?

Joff Winks & Nick Moorbath - Evolution Studios, Oxford. © Joff Winks 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Why work with a composer?

I write and produce original soundtrack music for video games. In this post, I'd like to share some reasons for working directly with an individual composer instead of licensing music from publishers.

This year at the Develop conference in Brighton, I got chatting with an attorney from one of the UK’s leading entertainment law firms. For an original game music composer like me, this discussion was particularly informative concerning music law and the world of video games.

The attorney mentioned how a studio that one of his departments was working with had run into long delays clearing the rights for music used in their video game. The rights to the music, controlled by different publishers across various territories, were proving costly and time-consuming to clear. 

You see, a piece of music may involve several writers, all of whom may have different publishers in different territories. In this case, all the parties involved have to agree to give permission and agree on a price for the licensee to use the music in their production.

Smart Insights.

As the conversation concluded, the attorney said, “You know, you have quite an advantage over large music publishers. You can write, record, and license an original composition with one simple contract!” 

Develop Brighton - July 2023 © Joff Winks 2023 - All Rights Reserved.

This comment got me thinking about why game studios and developers should consider working directly with a game music composer versus licensing music from publishers.

Pros & Cons.

These days, there are many ways to source music for video games, but there are pros and cons to consider, and the complexity, cost, and time investment will vary greatly, depending upon the approach.

Consider a music library. It may contain tens of thousands of tracks, meaning lots of choices! The downside is spending time researching, shortlisting and selecting the tracks. Of course, a music supervisor can help speed up the process of choosing tracks, but working with a music supervisor also adds additional cost.

Now, let's consider licensing music from music publishers. Working with Publishers makes it possible to use famous tracks by well-known artists, and the upside is this might bring additional kudos to a game. By lending their name to a soundtrack, a musician can increase the media exposure of a game. However, as previously stated, clearing the rights to the music can be time-consuming and often very expensive!

Simplicity & The Joy Of Creativity.

Working with an original video game soundtrack composer eliminates many problems. A composer can tailor each cue to fit the scene, removing the need for post-production editing. All the music written for the game is licensable for use with the game in a simple contract, which is quick and easy. Additionally, by negotiating an exclusive contract, the soundtrack may only be associated with the game, creating a unique sound identifier for the project.

The last point I want to make is an important one! Working directly with a composer, bouncing ideas back and forth, and developing a creatively satisfying game together is a joy that's hard to beat!

Working with a video game music composer can save time, money, and frustration. Eliminating the legal requirements for obtaining rights clearance simplifies the process of getting music into a project, and the opportunity to develop a soundtrack is a unique creative opportunity. 

Choosing a composer for your video game is an important decision. Having the best original soundtrack for your game is essential to creating compelling, memorable experiences. And I know that allying with like-minded people who share a desire to craft brilliant, original work is a recipe for success.

If you're developing an original IP and want to discuss music, drop me a line and let’s work together!

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