Me
I’m a composer for film, television, video games and anything else you can think of. I enjoy telling stories through sounds and music and have a strong passion for combining music and visual media.
I also do quite a bit of programming, both for university assignments for my studies in mechanical engineering as well as making my own game prototype and software instruments.
When I’m not composing or coding I sometimes write words and sentences in the form of a science fiction novel that may not ever see the light of day. From 2016 to 2022, I have also written numerous soundtrack reviews and articles for Film.Music.Media.
Music
My passion for the interaction of music and moving images started well before I can remember. Since I started making my own music, this dynamic of both music and visual media has shaped and defined my approach in trying to come up with both new and familiar ways of approaching different genres of movies, tv shows and games. I have a particular fondness for combining my own samples and processed sound recordings with the tried and true sound of acoustic instruments and synthesisers that shaped my taste in music.
In 2022, I scored the short films Crossroads and Benighted Entries, as well as an as of yet unannounced video game.
Composer Demo Reel
More of my music can be found here
Programming
While studying for my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, I took a liking to telling computers what to do. This has led me to pursue several programming projects at university and I ultimately focused my bachelor’s thesis on programming a Matlab tool. Turning this newfound interest towards video games and music, I have created a small game prototype in Unity for which I have composed a dynamic soundtrack. I also work in KSP to create my own custom software instruments.
VIDEO GAME DEMO
I made this basic game prototype as a proof of concept demo for implementing interactive music and sound effects.
The music in this demo loops indefinitely while different sound layers are added according to one of four levels chosen by the player.
The layers for the individual levels can be transitioned to and from at any point during the loop, seamlessly moving from the menu into each of the levels and back.
You can find more info on this demo here
CUSTOM SOFTWARE INSTRUMENTS
Combining my love for music with coding, I have started turning some of my own samples and sound recordings into playable software instruments in Kontakt. My most ambitious instrument features several dynamic layers, as well as a mixer window and effects panel.
Writing
Besides writing reviews and articles for Film.Music.Media, I have also started writing a science-fiction novel.
FILM MUSIC ARTICLES
A Personal Reflection on 2020’s Scores | Article
An article on some of my favourite interactions between music and images throughout the year 2020
Film.Music.Media, March 16, 2021
Settling the Score | David Arnold & Michael Giacchino at the Royal Albert Hall | Concert Review
A detailed account of the events that unfolded at London’s Royal Albert Hall on October 18th, 2019
Film.Music.Media, November 2, 2019
SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL
This is an edited version of the first chapter from a science fiction novel I am writing. It has words and sentences in it. Perhaps I will finish it someday…
Penguins
I also draw penguins. A lot of penguins. Please don’t tell my therapist.
Leo Mayr 