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Game Music Composition: Make Music For Games From Scratch

Learn to compose music for any and every type of video game, from complete beginner to competent game music composer

Bestseller

Created byKarleen Heong

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Compose high quality, original video game music for any type of game and genre, for your own game or for someone else's game.
Start or further your career as a game music composer.
Understand some music theory, music composition, music production and general game music knowledge.

Course content

11 sections • 164 lectures • 20h 14m total length

Promo Video2:17
Course promo video.
Course Overview4:02
A quick gloss over the entire course and what you will learn in each section.
What You Need For This Course3:54
Learn what you need for this course, or rather what you don't need.
How to Get Help For This Course1:45
How to get help if you have questions or are stuck while taking this course.
How to Share Your Original Game Music3:20
Learn the simplest way of sharing your original game music and why you should do so.

Section 2 Introduction1:08
An introduction to section 2.
Video Game Music Basics4:36
Learn what makes video game music different from any other type of music.
The Composer's Thought Process5:54
What does a composer think about before even touching their computer?
Easy Composing Methods4:01
Learn some simple but effective ways of putting a game music track together
Section 2 Quiz
Section 2 Review Material0:02
Download the PDF slides used in this section.

Section 3 Introduction0:54
An introduction to section 3.
Installing FL Studio for Windows4:49
Windows users will install FL Studio in this lecture.
Installing FL Studio for Mac4:58
Mac users will install FL Studio in this lecture.
Alternatives to FL Studio1:01
Some alternative DAWs to consider if you don't want to use FL Studio.
Quick Tour of FL Studio Interface6:33
Learn the basics of getting around FL Studio
Differences between FL Studio 12 and 201:43
Just a quick note regarding FL 12 and 20.
How to Input Notes Using Only Your Computer10:53
Learn how to input notes with just your computer keyboard or mouse.
How to Input Notes Using a MIDI Keyboard (Optional)3:31
Students with a MIDI keyboard will learn how to connect it to FL Studio and use it.
MIDI Keyboard Recommendations (Optional)1:19
Which MIDI keyboard to get? (if you want one)
How to Install VST Plugins on Windows6:01
Learn how to get external sounds/instruments and plug it into FL Studio on Windows.
How to Install VST Plugins on Mac10:30
Learn how to get external sounds/instruments and plug it into FL Studio on Mac.
Section 3 Quiz

Section 4 Introduction0:50
An introduction to section 4.
Plan Our Town Theme5:46
Learn the process of planning a game music piece.
Music Theory 1: Notes, Chords and Scales4:13
Learn the core basics of music theory.
Write Our Harp Part10:56
Learn how to write music for the first instrument with chords.
Write our Flute Part15:48
Learn how to write a nice melody to complement the harp part.
Mix and Export14:14
Learn how to mix and export your town music theme - learn about panning and stereo field.
Share Our Town Music1:34
Sharing our original town theme to get feedback.
Section 4 Quiz
Section 4 Review Material0:20
Download the PDF slides and FL source project for this section.

Section 5 Introduction1:36
An introduction to section 5.
Plan Our Game Character Theme5:01
Learn the way to plan a game track based on a game character.
How to Get Unstuck When You're Stuck for Ideas12:31
Learn some great inspirational hacks to get your creative juices flowing.
How to Choose Instruments that Sound Good Together5:34
Learn how to select instruments that sound good together in your composition.
Music Theory 2: Keys, Major and Minor18:31
Learn how to use any musical key you want and enhance your composing abilities tenfold.
Write the Melody For Your Chosen Key Part 16:06
Finalise plugins for our project and decide which instrument to play the melody and which plays the bassline or chords.
Write the Melody For Your Chosen Key Part 28:27
Learn how to write a good melody using melody shaping and more techniques.
Write the Melody For Your Chosen Key Part 310:26
Learn my improvisation process to come up with a melody that sounds nice and then record it.
Editing Our Melody For Timing: Quantizing, Snapping, Beats, Bars and Steps13:14
Learn how to edit your melody so it’s completely in time. Learn how to quantize using snapping. Learn what beats, bars and steps are.
Editing Our Melody For Feeling: Note Velocity6:00
Learn how to make your melody sound natural as if played by a human rather than dull and mechanical as a computer plays it.
Section 5 Mid Section Quiz
How to Add Bassline and Chords to a Melody5:04
Learn the steps to add an intriguing bassline and/or chords to your existing melody.
Simple Trick in FL Studio to Help You4:12
Learn a neat, simple hack in FL Studio if you have trouble remembering what notes are in the scale you’re using!
How to Write a Good Bassline for Your Melody21:20
Watch my entire improvisation and composition process for composing a good sounding bassline to the melody we created earlier.
How to Build Chords from Our New Bassline14:20
Learn exactly how to use your existing bassline to create a chords part from that. Learn about strummed chords and broken chords.
Finish the Composition and Add Drums11:26
Finish the last layers of our Character Theme and learn how to add drums and percussion.
Mixing 1: Duplicating Tracks Technique10:36
Learn how to duplicate your tracks with this new mixing technique.
Mixing 2: How to Tweak Plugin Parameters8:18
Learn how to adjust the knobs in all your plugin instruments to get the sound you desire. Learn about dynamic effects and the use of Reverb, Chorus and Delay.
Mixing 3: How to use Equalisation to EQ your instruments13:20
Learn how to Equalise your instruments and how to make your composition gel together into a nice mix.
Mastering Basics: Learn the final phase of Music Production9:05
Introduce yourself to mastering using EQ, compression and limiting. Learn the process of making a track ready to release to the public.
Best Audio File Formats for Game Engines and Game Soundtracks10:53
Learn which audio file formats are the most suitable for Game Engines and which are best for Video Game Original Soundtracks. Export your game music track for all these purposes.
Section 5 End of Section Quiz
Section 5 Review Material0:22
Download the PDF slides and FL source project for this section.

Section 6 Introduction1:17
An introduction to section 6.
Introduction to 8-Bit Music6:52
Learn exactly what 8-bit music is, how 8-bit music came about and which of your favourite consoles are 8-Bit.
What 8-Bit Sound Do You Want?7:03
Decide on a computer chip or console or game to emulate for your original 8-bit game composition.
Analyse Your 8-Bit Game Track13:53
Pick your favourite 8-Bit game music track and study how it’s put together.
Quickly Plan Your Original 8-Bit Tune5:29
Use what you learned in your analysis and plan your 8-bit theme’s structure, instrumentation and most importantly, which instruments fit on which audio channels for your chosen 8-Bit chip or game console.
Set up FL Project for 8-Bit Composing6:56
Learn how to set up FL Studio’s Channel Rack to emulate the exact audio channels as those on your chosen 8-bit computer chip.
Build the Intro8:04
Build the first section of your 8-bit song. Reinforce your composing skills, knowledge of keys and learn the layering technique by structure.
Build the Main Section10:11
Build the main section of your song – the “memorable” part. Learn the method of composing bass and melody simultaneously, and watch the instructor’s exact composition process of putting a song together piece by piece, layer by layer in a repeated cycle of improvise, practice, record and edit.
DPCM Samples in VST Plugins11:05
Learn how to use DPCM samples in your VST plugin if available. Learn how to use Noise Channels and white noise SFX in 8-Bit composition.
Build the Cooldown9:35
Learn how to build a good transition section between the end of the previous section to loop back into the start of the song and make your song truly seamless.
Making a True 8-Bit Sound10:56
Learn how to dehumanise your song and make it sound completely computer-made as if made by the 8-Bit chip itself.
Pure 8-Bit Authenticity: Mixing to Mono8:24
Learn how to mix your stereo track down to mono with Audacity for the true 8-Bit sound. Learn how to emulate the splitting of 8-Bit chip’s audio channels into stereo via hard panning.
Section 6 Quiz
Section 6 Review Material0:18
Download the PDF slides and FL project source file for this section.

Section 7 Introduction2:23
An introduction to section 7.
Adaptive Music and Non-Linearity4:35
Learn what 'adaptive', 'interactive' and 'dynamic' music mean, what ‘linear music’ and 'non-linear music’ is and be introduced to the techniques of non-linear music.
How to Make Adaptive and Non-Linear Music6:52
Be introduced to the techniques of horizontal re-sequencing and vertical orchestration and see both in action.
Setup FMOD and Unity6:10
Set up the two programs we will need to make non-linear music.
Introduction to Vertical Orchestration Project0:58
An intro to the first FMOD technique we will cover.
Music Theory 3: Tonal and Atonal Music4:18
Learn two important music terms and how to use them.
Write Vertical Orchestration Track 1: Peace4:37
Write our first VO track in preparation for FMOD.
Write Vertical Orchestration Track 2: Restricted Area4:14
Write our second VO track in preparation for FMOD.
Write Vertical Orchestration Track 3: Detected By Enemy8:00
Write our third VO track in preparation for FMOD.
Write Vertical Orchestration Track 4: Conflict with Enemy14:11
Write our fourth VO track in preparation for FMOD.
Reverb, Mix and Export13:55
Learn what reverb is then mix and export our entire VO music piece.
Introduction to FMOD Interface12:27
Get introduced to FMOD, an audio middleware used with game engines.
Use FMOD to make our track Non-Linear19:19
Use FMOD to put your VO tracks together and finish with a non-linear music piece.
Unity 2020 UPDATE1:31
Updated instructions for the latest version of Unity
Create our Unity Scene11:42
Use the Unity game engine to create a game scene from scratch, in preparation for our game music.
Integrate FMOD music into our Unity scene10:55
Complete our game scene with our FMOD non-linear music.
Section 7 Mid Section Quiz
Introduction to Horizontal Re-Sequencing Project7:52
An introduction to the second half of this section and FMOD technique number 2.
Write Horizontal Re-Sequencing Track 1: Exploring the Field9:24
Write the first track of our HRS project.
Intro to Chaos Region and FL Studio Markers3:39
Learn how to use FL Studio's markers and be prepared for track 2 of our HRS project.
Write Horizontal Re-Sequencing Track 2: Chaos Region3:09
Write the second track of our HRS project.
How to Compose Transition Bars11:10
Learn a very important concept in composing non-linear music.
Write Horizontal Re-Sequencing Track 3: Battle Scene6:39
Write the third track of our HRS project.
Write Horizontal Re-Sequencing Track 4: Invincible State11:04
Write the fourth track of our HRS project.
Move our Horizontal Adaptive Music to FMOD14:31
Convert our HRS project to non-linear music in FMOD.
How to Make Perfect Transitions Between our Tracks11:17
Learn how to make your sequences smooth.
Design and Implement Your Transition Sequences10:25
Implement your transition sequences in this lecture.
FMOD's AHDSR Sound Envelope11:14
Learn the very basics of sound envelopes.
Prepare our Horizontal FMOD music for Unity Integration8:03
Finish up our project in FMOD in preparation for Unity.
Integrate Horizontal FMOD Music into Unity scene15:39
Integrate our HRS non-linear music into our Unity game scene.
How to Share Your Game Scene with Non-Linear Music2:28
How to share your non-linear music track with and without game scene.
Section 7 End of Section Quiz
Section 7 Review Material0:02
Download the PDF slides used in this section.

Section 8 Introduction2:32
Introduction to Section 8
Introduction to Mobile Game Music12:01
Listen to some prominent mobile music tracks and find out exactly what mobile game music is.
Plan our Mobile game track and Idea Jump-starting3:56
Learn an easy trick to get ideas and mood flowing for your composition.
Music Theory Revision in 5 minutes5:02
Revise everything about music theory we have learned so far in case you have forgotten.
Music Theory 4: Note Values and 4/4 Time8:05
Learn about note values and duration and 4/4 time.
Music Theory 5: Dotted Notes6:28
Learn about dotted notes and how to calculate them.
Music Theory 6: Time Signatures12:02
Learn about time signatures in music
Flesh out our Mobile Game Track Plan4:57
Further develop our plan our mobile game music.
Section 8 Mid Section Quiz
Compose a Motif: the Building Block of Music8:53
Learn how to write the most basic cell of music.
Develop your Motif into a Phrase8:50
Learn how to develop your motif into a phrase.
Develop your Phrase into a Theme: 2-Phrase Checkpoint9:36
Learn how to develop the second phrase from your first phrase.
Develop your Phrase into a Theme: 4-Phrase Checkpoint5:55
Learn to compose the second half of your theme, giving you a complete 4-phrase theme.
Chord Progressions Part 19:04
Learn exactly how chord progressions work and why they are so important in music.
Chord Progressions Part 29:15
Learn exactly how chord progressions work and why they are so important in music.
Work out All Possible Chords for your Key8:41
Find all the notes of all basic chords of your key
How to know WHEN to change chords7:00
Learn the signals in a melody that tell you when you should change chords.
Write a Chord Progression to your Melody/Phrase16:18
Learn exactly how to fit a chord progression to your melody using a systematic and practical approach.
Finish your Mobile Game Compositional Sketch9:16
By the end of this lecture, you will have a complete sketch of your composition's theme comprising melody + entire chord progression.
Mobile Game Track Plan Development and Instrumentation6:19
Fully develop the mobile game music plan and learn how to allocate the parts of your compositional sketch into defined instruments.
Compose your Mobile Game Track: Arranging5:00
Compose your entire mobile game track by using some arranging techniques.
Compose and Arrange the Mobile track from Sketch: Phrase 1-214:32
Learn the exact steps to developing your composition from sketch to full instrumentation and arrangement.
Compose and Arrange the Mobile track from Sketch: Phrase 3-413:38
Learn the exact steps to developing your composition from sketch to full instrumentation and arrangement.
Mixing Checklist and Spectrum Analyzer12:35
Learn how to use a spectrum analyzer during mixing and learn all the things you should do when you mix.
Simple Hack to Boost Final Track Volume8:23
Get industry-standard loudness with this simple production trick.
Section 8 End of Section Quiz
Section 8 Review Material0:02
Download the PDF slides used in this section.

Section 9 Introduction0:45
What we will learn in section 9 of the course.
Characteristics of RPG Battle Vs. Boss Battle Music8:40
Learn the differences and similarities between RPG battle music and RPG boss battle music.
Western RPG Vs. Japanese RPG Battle Music6:17
Learn the core differences and history of Western vs. Japanese RPG battle music.
Analysis: Final Fantasy X Battle Theme and Boss Theme10:56
A practical example of the difference between Battle and Boss themes.
Analyse your Battle Theme vs. Boss Theme2:38
Practice your analysis and determine for yourself the difference between boss themes and battle themes.
Music Theory 7: Modes - Beyond Major and Minor17:25
Learn how modes work, how they are formed, what mode matches what mood and how to use and form any mode in your head.
MIDI vs. Audio In Depth Comparison9:37
Learn what MIDI and audio are, the pros and cons of each and when and how to use them.
Recording Audio in FL Studio8:05
Learn how to record audio with a microphone into FL Studio.
Editing Audio in FL Studio's Edison Audio Editor16:50
Learn how to use Edison, FL's own audio editor.
Section 9 Mid Section Quiz
Plan our RPG Battle and Boss Themes11:54
Plan our 2 types of battle themes in detail.
Battle Theme: Composing Melody and Bass Simultaneously10:29
Learn this new improvisation technique to come up with compositional ideas for our RPG Battle theme.
Battle Theme: Refine Melody and Bass Harmonic Framework9:39
Refine our brainstorm from the previous lecture and finish our Battle theme's harmonic framework.
Battle Theme: Inner Voicings and Chords Part 18:26
Break down the harmony in your composition and discover which notes are important to your harmony and which notes are simply decorative.
Battle Theme: Inner Voicings and Chords Part 210:49
Break down the harmony in your composition and discover which notes are important to your harmony and which notes are simply decorative.
Battle Theme: Complete the Inner Harmony8:25
Learn how to go through your harmony and complete the 'incomplete' harmonic framework.
Different People Compose Differently: How Notation fits into the Process3:59
How different people compose differently and how music students vs non music students compose.
Battle Theme: Sort your Instruments4:14
Finalise your main instrumentation in preparation for allocating roles for each instrument in each section of our Battle theme.
Battle Theme: Structural Breakdown - Sections and Time Stamps7:33
Create a structural breakdown of your composition by completing the time stamps first.
Battle Theme: Structural Breakdown - Instruments and Roles12:18
Learn how to allocate roles to your instruments and how to switch roles in different sections of your composition.
Battle Theme: Arranging and Additional Parts4:08
Intro to arranging our project and where we are going from here.
Battle Theme: Arrange the Intro5:57
Arranging our sketch into multiple instruments for our intro.
Battle Theme: Arrange Main Theme Pt. 111:00
Arrange the next section: Main theme Part A.
Battle Theme: Arrange Main Theme Pt. 29:13
Arrange the next section: Main theme Part B.
Battle Theme: Arrange Mini Break9:10
Arrange the next part: Mini Break.
Battle Theme: Arrange Variation 1 Pt. 1 - Harmonise a Melody13:07
Learn how to harmonise a melody in the variation 1 part 1 section of our Battle theme.
Battle Theme: Arrange Variation 1 Pt. 2 - Modulation and Drum Kit10:11
Learn about how to change keys, the different parts of a drum kit and how to use them as we arrange part 2 of our Variation 1.
Battle Theme: Arrange Variation 29:01
Arranging Variation 2 of our Battle theme.
Battle Theme: Arrange Break (Transition)13:48
Finish the final leg of the Battle theme - the break transitioning back into the Main theme.
Battle Theme: Mixing Session 113:36
Mix your Battle theme.
Battle Theme: Mixing Session 214:44
Mix your Battle theme.
Preparing for Game OST7:19
Prepare our track for Game Soundtrack release.
Section 9 End of Section Quiz
Section 9 Review Material0:02
Download the PDF slides used in this section.

Section 10 Introduction0:50
What you will learn in section 10 of the course.
Final Course Project3:21
Learn what the final course challenge is and recap the processes of music creation we have learned in the entire course.
Your Music Must Fulfil These Criteria1:29
What your final project theme should fulfil in terms of mood and game requirements.
How to Compose with Modes13:56
Learn how to use modes in your composition.
Publish your Final Project2:13
Publish your course challenge!
Extra Challenge 10:40
Learn the criteria for the first Extra Challenge.
Extra Challenge 20:37
Learn the criteria for the second Extra Challenge.
Extra Challenge 31:07
Learn the criteria for the third Extra Challenge.
Section 10 Review Material0:02
Download the PDF slides used in this section.

Requirements

Mac or PC capable of running FL Studio 12 or 20 or any other Digital Audio Workstation
MIDI keyboard is OPTIONAL

Description

The world's first comprehensive online course on Video Game Music Composing that doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Be one of the first to study the complex and often forgotten art of game music composition. This is the course I wish I had when I started out, and currently, there is still no complete course in game composing for this price. This course is the first and aims to be the absolute BEST.

Immerse yourself in the world of game music composing. Emerge a competent video game composer and be confident in your ability to make music for any and every type of game.

Every Game Type: Role-playing game battle themes, boss battle themes, casual mobile/smartphone game music, 8-bit chiptunes, indie and triple A adaptive and dynamic music, game character themes - this course covers it all. All with no prior music knowledge required.

Learn all the skills you need to successfully and confidently compose and produce music for any game. From music theory, composition techniques, digital audio workstation software, music production and even audio middleware for game engines, you will gather the entire skillset necessary to produce high quality video game music for any game project.

In this project-based course, you will learn interactively by following the instructor or going on your own to create any game music piece you desire. Almost every lecture has a challenge task, designed to test your abilities and hammer home those techniques you just learned.

Start simple. You won't be overwhelmed. Musical concepts and theory and production are gradually introduced to ensure you build confidence in your music-making abilities.

Go in depth, learn the tricks of the trade. This is not just an introductory course, but delves deep into advanced topics only professional game composers know. Audio channels, computer chips and more, explore the technical aspects of game music.

It's not just a composing course, it's an entire music production course. Learn the entire pipeline of music production, from idea development and composing, to mixing and mastering.

We will use and cover many types of software:

FL Studio: Complete beginners will learn how to use one of the most popular digital audio workstation programs. Advanced students can use their preferred DAWs.

FMOD: Learn to use this audio middleware effectively with game engines, and learn the two must-know FMOD techniques.

Unity 5: Learn to use the Unity Game Engine with audio middleware and set up a fully-functional game scene, complete with adaptive/dynamic music, made from scratch.

Audacity: Learn how to use this free, open-source audio editor to add additional polish to your music.

So let's dive right in, you will be surprised at how quick it is become a competent game music composer.

Who this course is for:

Indie and Solo game developers wanting to make professional music for their own games
Composers and music professionals looking to enter the video game music industry
Aspiring game music composers and amateur composers
Game enthusiasts who are curious to know how game music is made and learn how to do so
Anyone who wants to learn how to make music for video games

Game Music Composition: Make Music For Games From Scratch

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction to the Course5 lectures • 15min

Video Game Music and Composing Basics5 lectures • 16min

Introduction to FL Studio11 lectures • 52min

Project 1: Town Theme8 lectures • 54min

Project 2: Game Character Music21 lectures • 3hr 16min

Project 3: 8-Bit Chiptune Music13 lectures • 1hr 40min

Project 4: Adaptive Music with FMOD and Unity (Indie & AAA Games)31 lectures • 4hr 13min

Project 5: Casual, Social and Mobile Game Music25 lectures • 3hr 28min

Project 6: RPG Battle and Boss Battle Music32 lectures • 4hr 50min

Final Project: Course Challenge9 lectures • 24min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: