Welcome to my portfolio
Game Music and Audio
I am available for contract work. Feel free to contact me if you need help for your next project - I am offering services for ...
Audio Tech
The inner workingsCar-racing game, first person shooter or puzzle game? Special non-linear music needs? I can help you with the audio concept for your project, create prototypes and consult you on the tech needed.
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Game Sound
The Fourth DimensionI can tracklay your videos, record vocals, add music or create and implement sound effects. I have a huge sound library and experience in various SDKs and tool chains and always keen to learn a new one.
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Game Music
Challenge meDrum and bass, trance, pop or some slow-paced, pounding dub - my music was in games such as Need for Speed Shift PSP or Trackmania Sunrise. I am always on the look-out for a new challenge.
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About
... a short story
Music, Games and Technology
I was there - right from the start. Since early childhood I felt the irresistible force of computers, music and games. I used one of the first MIDI sequencers on the Commodore 64 - we're talking 1986(!), upgraded later to Cubase on Atari ST ("Cubeat" at that time) and then off to the world of PCs and beyond.
It took me a further two decades, a computer science degree, a higher diploma in music production to add all the bits together and follow my calling.
The Industry
In 2004 I took my first step into the games industry as a programmer on Max Payne at Rockstar Vienna. This huzzle and buzzle of highly talented creative individuals working towards a common goal got me hooked instantly. Still every morning I pressed my nose against our audio guy's studio window thinking "This is all very cool, but I would love to do THIS".
Until, in 2005, I finally acted on this thought. I broke camp in Vienna, moved to Guildford near London to study Music Production at the ACM and see where all this will lead me to.
Like a wise owl swooping over the alps, Zsolt soars over the world of audio. As well as being able to lay down a fine tune, Zsolt is blessed with incredible technical skills. Equally capable of making a nest with the engineering end of audio or cuddling up to the creatives, you can but look and marvel at this finely balanced creature.
Finally, the puzzle was complete. I started in the audio department of Electronic Arts in and I stayed with them for a further 5 years, taking on various audio roles as needed by the project - audio programmer, technical sound designer, composer or music editor.
I am back in Vienna now - for good - and "Electronic Arts" is a cosy memory from the past. I have the greatest respect for all the insanely talented people I met and I am greatful for all the valueable lessons I learnt. I have learnt from people living and breathing games audio. I was part of teams utilizing all their skills and latest in technology, sacrifizing weekends to achieve the best possible games music and sound.
- Black - nominated for Best Audio at 2006 BAFTA Video Games Awards - wins Best Art & Sound at the 2006 Develop Industry Excellence Awards
- Burnout Paradise - won several awards in 2008 - 2008’s Most Decorated Driving Game
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - BAFTA-nomination for composer James Hannigan
Portfolio
Games
For the first time in the Harry Potter series, we made combat music smoothly increase in intensity as the combat escalates. Composer James Hannigan did an awesome job creating beautiful and effective musical content. I was the lead music editor on this project and in charge of coming up with the music concept and make it work. Here is a podcast with the Philharmonia Orchestra on how the music was recorded.
- Even though we worked to an aggressive time-scale my aspiration was to make the engines sound as big and in your face as possible in order to cut through even on PSP speakers:
- I developed an engine audio editor that exported the engine data straight into game data, so we could iterate the engine audio quickly.
- Creation and implementation GUI sounds
- Composition of some in-game, in-game video and marketing video music
- Orchestral Recordings with Bratislava Radio Orchestra and London Philharmonia Orchestra
- Music Editing and Implementation
- Tracklay and sound design of various marketing videos, e.g. Half-Blood Prince launch trailer below:
- Creation and implementation of 30 unique car engines
- Creation of logic and content for skids, surface sounds, boost, scrapes
- Implementation of workflow and tools
- Implementation of presentation sounds
- Speech
- Ambiences
- Collision Sounds
May, 7th: a portrait is broadcast on Austrian National Radio, together with an interview and some of my newest tracks. Here is the page on the FM4 site.
FM4 Connectd - Zsolt Marx Interview
Portfolio
Songs
I proudly present my second album - "Zwei". A collection of songs that cover 5 years of my life - love, life, doubt, anger, separation and multiplication. Rather than just telling the flow of events they shrinkwrap my inner states throughout this time - an emotional diary, a picture book of my intrinsics. Lyrics, melody, arrangement, vocals, production by myself, unless denoted else.
May, 7th: a portrait is broadcast on Austrian National Radio, together with an interview and some of my newest tracks. Here is the page on the FM4 site.
FM4 Connectd - Zsolt Marx Interview
ACM is the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, a sleepy little town south of London. In a feature-packed year we learned the ins and outs of contemporary music production.
It's my time Jumping'Eins' means 'One' in German. The past years of my life in words and music.
Awards
Games
Audio awards and nominations won by our games:
Burnout Paradise (Criterion audio team)
- 2006 Develop Industry Excellence Awards Finalist "Burnout Paradise": Audio Accomplishment
Black (Criterion audio team)
- 2007 AIAS Finalist : Achievement in Original Music Composition
- 2006 IGN XBox & PS2 Best Use of Sound, IGN Overall Best Use of Sound, Develop Industry Excellence Awards Best Art & Sound & BAFTA Nomination Best Audio
- 2005 IGN Best Audio at E3
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (EA BrightLight audio team)
- 2010 BAFTA Nomination
- 2010 IFMCA-Award: "Best Original Score for a video game or interactive media"
Contact
Get in touch
Drop me a line
Contact info
Magdalenenstrasse 23/2
1060 Vienna
Austria, Europe
Phone: +43 664 480 5660
E-mail: 
Website: www.zmarx.com