about me
Hello! My name is Maxwell Elliott. I am a composer, sound designer, and musician with a lifelong passion for music and gaming. At a young age, I fell in love with video game music, and pursued learning the saxophone after hearing it in some of my favorite game soundtracks. Currently, I am studying Music Composition for Media at Duquesne University, and in my time here thus far, I have honed my skills as a composer writing music and sound effects for various games as well as a wide range of other media. My two greatest passions are music and games. However, my ultimate aspiration is to have the chance to incorporate compelling and impactful music into narratives, thoughts, and themes for any and all kinds of media.
Skills
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Audio Middleware - FMod, Wwise
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Game Engines - Unity (Essentials Certified), Unreal Engine, Godot/Redot​​
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DAWs - Logic Pro X, ProTools
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Notation Software - Finale, Dorico Pro
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AREAS
OF FOCUS
Music Composition
Through my work, I have developed a deep understanding of how music can enhance a player's experience and bring a game's world to life. I approach each project with a commitment to creating music that is not only sonically engaging but also deeply connected to the game's narrative and themes. Whether crafting a piece full of retro nostalgia, an epic orchestral score, or an atmospheric electronic soundscape, my goal is to create music that resonates with players and contributes to the overall success of the game.
Sound Design
In tandem with my experience writing music for video games, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of sound design as well. While music can define the mood of the game, sound effects create the space and environment. My philosophy remains the same in designing sounds that are perfectly suited for the specific scenario the player would be in, fusing realistic sounds with digitized ones to create wholly new sound effects. Whether it be soft ambient sounds of an environment, stingers that indicate secrets and achievements, or powerful impacts and movements, I believe in creating a consistent sound palate that meshes perfectly with the style and visuals of the game.
Audio Integration
One of the most crucial skills I have learned in my time working on games is the implementation of audio and music into the gameplay experience. When approaching the implementation process, I carefully approach the appropriate way to place the sounds in the game, ensuring to create parameters in the audio system that allow for a level of variation that always keeps the player engaged. Additionally, I always approach making the soundtrack as dynamic as possible within the middleware, allowing for the music that plays to never sound the same twice, emphasizing and prioritizing interactivity that always leaves players feeling rewarded.
Music DEMOS
All works shown are Composed, Synthestrated, and Mixed by Maxwell Elliott
ShoreShine City
Water Apparitions
Silent
Kill
power with pride
Deep, Cold Breath
Sound Design DEMO
All music and SFX in this demonstration were designed and implemented by Maxwell Elliott
(Credits to Extremely OK Games, Ltd. for creating Celeste, Lena Raine for the original soundtrack, and PowerUp Audio who did the original SFX and implementation for making the backend of Celeste available for reimplementation!)
Projects
Check out my pages/links here to see what I have worked on!
