Microsoft

What Can We Do For You?

January 27th, 2015 | By Lance Hayes

WP_20130830_011

Over the years I’ve had the good fortune to work on projects of all sizes for developers and publishers such as Microsoft, Activision and Nintendo. To assist me I’ve assembled a crack team of audio professionals and contractors. I’ve worked with the best on projects ranging from composing 8bit to orchestral soundtracks, creating original sound design and field recordings to implementation and more.

As an independent contractor I’ve spent years crafting audio that fits perfectly into titles so my team and I are focused on delivering great audio experiences. With award winning talent from projects that span next gen consoles, handheld and PC titles our skills range across the entire spectrum of audio disciplines, (a list of some of the titles we’ve worked can be found here). We specialize in bringing the sound of the games we work on to life.

We’re available for new projects, no game is too big or too small, Indie to Fortune 500. Please contact djdm at djdm.com for more information to make your project’s audio stand out!

For the latest updates about the studio please see our Twitter and Facebook pages.

 

Complete Video of AES Lecture Available Online

January 12th, 2015 | By Lance Hayes

Forza 5 OST Lecture

Lance Hayes Speaking at Microsoft Research

 

Update: The PNW AES Section report featuring notes about my Forza 5 presentation is live on the national AES site.

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My session from last weeks PNW AES section January meeting at Microsoft Research was a lot of fun with great questions from the audience. The meeting was well attended by AES members, game audio pros and students. Thanks to everyone that came out!

The video of the talk billed as, “a detailed look at how the soundtrack to the one of the first next gen video game soundtracks for the Xbox One was conceived and executed” is now online here. And, thanks to Microsoft Research, it’s free to view.

This session was lively as well as a little bittersweet as its likely my last public Forza 5 talk. I discuss my work as the lead composer on on the launch title for the Xbox One as well as the cross country recording process so there are audio and video examples and a live demo of the game. I cover composing, adaptive audio, how the soundtrack was prototyped and wrap up by taking questions from the audience.

So if you have an interest in my work on the Forza franchise, next gen game scores and or game audio this talk is for you. Enjoy!

(Special thanks to Gary Louie, Rick Chinn and Ivan Tashev from PNW AES for hosting and coordinating this special event)

Microsoft Research recently reorganized their lecture library, moving all of the talks to YouTube. Here is the new link to the video:

 

Lance talking about FM5 at the PNW AES meeting

Speaking Engagement: PNW AES Section

November 18th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

Following the score for Forza Motorsport 5 Original Soundtrack at Skywalker Ranch

Following the score for Forza Motorsport 5 Original Soundtrack at Skywalker Ranch

UPDATE 01/03/14: Click here for the Facebook event

I’m looking forward discussing and dissecting my work on the Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack for the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Audio Engineering Society over at Microsoft Research on Thursday, January 8th, 2015 at 7:30pm.

If you want to know more about scoring, adaptive concepts and music for AAA video games then this session is for you. There’s more information from the AES site below. Hope to see you there!

From the AES site:


 

NOTE: anyone can attend this meeting regardless of their status as an AES member.
AES MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED.
PNW AES Section
January Meeting Notice
The Forza Motorsport 5 Original Soundtrack
An Insider’s View
Presented By
Lance Hayes – DJDM
Thursday, January 8th, 2015, 7:30pm
Microsoft Research, Building 99, Room 1919
14820 NE 36th Street, Redmond, WA 98052

Directions to MS Research In 2013, the AES PNW Section learned all about the sound effects for “Forza Motorsport 4.” Meeting Report

Now, we can see how the music score for the franchise update is created and recorded from Lead Composer, Lance Hayes.

This will be a detailed look at how the soundtrack to one of the first next gen video game soundtracks for the Xbox One was conceived and executed. Augmented by notes, images and video, Lance Hayes will detail the process of creating the 180 minute soundtrack using live orchestra and electronics from initial concepts to the composition phase to nation-wide recording at top facilities to final implementation and then on to release of the game and the soundtrack double album.

The Seattle Times recently ran an article on Microsoft’s Turn 10 Studios,: Screen racers: Microsoft’s Turn 10 Studio drives innovative games


Lance Hayes is an award winning composer working in media, advertising, television, and video game soundtracks. Some of his projects include composing and producing music for “Nike+ Kinect Fitness,” the Stranded Music for the mega hit video game “Gears of War 3,” music for “Xbox Fitness” and scoring the original soundtracks to the sensational “Forza Motorsport” series including the Xbox One launch title “Forza Motorsport 5”. Additional clients include Activision, The Discovery Channel, Warner Bros., Best Buy, National Geographic, Harpo Inc., MTV, VH1 and many others.He takes pride in his work as an educator teaching the Game Audio and Composition track for both the Summer Intensive and the Masters of Music program at Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program and was nominated for a GANG Award for his educational “Next Level” series blog for Andertons Music UK.

As an in demand teacher and lecturer Lance has had the good fortune to present sessions at The Game Developer’s Conference, PAX Dev, Seattle Composers Alliance, AES, SynthFest NW, The Art Institute, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Berklee School of Music Video Game Music Club, Decibel Festival Conference and more.

Steve Malott
AES PNW 2014-2015 Section Chair

Forza Motorsport 5’s tribute to LaFerrari

April 3rd, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

I’m excited that the trailer I scored for Forza Motorsport 5’s tribute to LaFerrari has gone live. It was a thrill to have the opportunity to score these gorgeous shots of this amazing car.

Photo Op, Flash Forward from GDC 2014

March 26th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

GDC Flash Forward

Photo of Lance Hayes and Chase Combs taken last week at the Game Developer’s Conference during Flash Forward, the opening event that kicks off the Game Developers Conference. Select talks are given 45 seconds each to pitch their session to a live audience of about a thousand game industry peers.

Photo credit Kathryn Amyotte

Audio Media Looks at Forza Motorsport 5

March 9th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

AudioMediaMarchEd

The March edition of Audio Media features a fantastic article by brilliant FM5 co-composer John Broomhall on the music and sound of Forza Motorsport 5. I had a great time talking with John about Forza and he followed up with many of the other notable talents that helped create this hallmark installment of the franchise.

There are great interviews with T10 / Microsoft audio team members Nick Wiswell, Chase Combs, Mike Caviezel, John Wendl and more. If you love Forza, game audio and or cars have a look, there’s something in there for you.

If you don’t have access to the print version check out page 28 of the archived digital edition at the links.

PDF file of Audio Media March Digital Edition or you can look over the Yudu version here.

Good reading!

A Year of Highlights and Updates

March 3rd, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

Lance Hayes One Sheet 2013

 

Doing a little website housecleaning and since I’ve been having a busy year, I wanted to consolidate some related posts into one place.

In related news my Game Developer’s Conference 2014 updates are here.

Other site updates include new content on the Media and Music Page (If you want to skip the videos scroll to the bottom for music links). Also check out the newly revised Articles/Awards page as well as an updated Bio/Credits.

And finally, you may also want to check out Twitter and Facebook for more info as I’ll post breaking news and asides there regularly.

Cheers!

Xbox Fitness

January 31st, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

XboxFitness

Get out your sweatbands, and your leg warmers, “Xbox Fitness” for Xbox One is a hit. Using cutting edge technology to redefine work outs while the new Kinect sensor tracks your pulse ensuring you get a solid session in. With but rare exception, it seems to be a favorite title with early adopters.

I worked with Microsoft Studios on several tracks for the title, including the various themes that greets you when you start up the game. It was a fun project to work on as I got to flex my 7.1 surround music mixing muscles. I’ve uploaded one of the tracks from the project to my imaginatively titled “Game Music” playlist, along with other new tracks. Featuring the always brilliant Ian Dorsch on guitars and bass, have a listen to “Xbox Fitness Theme” at the link below. Cheers!

Speaking Engagement at Upcoming Game Developer’s Conference

January 8th, 2014 | By Lance Hayes

GDC_2014_01-616x133

I’m excited to announce that my talk “Checkered Flag: Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack Postmortem” with the venerable Chase Combs is one of the highlighted Audio Track lectures for this years GDC.

Here’s the session description from the GDC website:

Checkered Flag: Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack Postmortem

Chase Combs  |  Audio Content Lead, Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft
Lance Hayes  |  Owner, DJDM Dot Com Music Publishing
The Forza Motorsport 5 Soundtrack Postmortem pulls together two of the principles creatives from the Forza audio team for a detailed look at how the soundtrack was conceived and executed. Coming from diverse backgrounds, lead composer Lance Hayes and audio content lead Chase Combs will focus on their roles in the project, and how they fit into the larger scope to create the unique and remarkable soundtrack for one of the first next-gen titles. Augmented by notes, images and video, the discussion will start with the initial concepts to the composition phase to nationwide recording at top facilities to final implementation and on to release. Attendees will come away with information pertaining to the process and scope of scoring a large AAA title, as well as ways that next-gen technology is helping create fresh experiences in game audio.

Takeaway

Composer Lance Hayes and audio content lead Chase Combs dive deep into the groundbreaking Forza Motorsport 5 soundtrack. They will present detailed examples that show how it ties together the best of the past Forza aesthetics, while being enhanced by live orchestral scoring and innovative implementation that is utilized throughout the game.

Intended Audience

This session is for anyone interested in game scoring, live orchestral recording, game audio implementation and next-generation audio concepts. Advanced attendees will appreciate innovative perspectives and information regarding next-gen audio, as well as details about AAA soundtrack development.

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McDonald’s Forza Xbox One Ad Campaign Featuring Music by Lance Hayes

December 3rd, 2013 | By Lance Hayes


Whew, the title “McDonald’s Forza Xbox One Ad Campaign” is quite a mouth full. If you have a TV and live in the US then you may already seen the ads featuring a section of my track “Compression” from the Forza Motorsport 5 OST. It’s currently being used as the background in the McDonald’s Xbox One / Forza commercial titled “Legacy – Racing” as part of a prize give away including thousands of Xbox One consoles.

 

McDonalds Ad 01

The ads, in :15 and :30 versions, will undoubtedly be running nearly constantly between Dec. 3rd till the 23rd so give a shout if it comes across your screen.

As usual, there is more at Facebook and Twitter if you want the latest info.

Cheers!

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