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How to Make Horror Movie Music

Have you ever watched a horror movie and felt goosebumps on your skin thanks to the spine-tingling soundtrack playing in the background? It’s the music that sets the mood and heightens the tension, making the horror movie experience all that more thrilling. If you’re interested in composing your own horror movie music, then this is the blog post for you.

Horror movie music is not just about making scary noises or producing a bizarre sound. It should create and build a tension that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. Horror movie music must be able to set the scene and increase the suspense, making viewers feel like they are right in the middle of the horror experience.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Make Horror Movie Music

Horror music is a fundamental element of a horror movie. It sets the scenes and creates fear in the hearts of viewers. Good horror music can terrify viewers just as much as a gruesome scene. The soundtrack creates suspense, making the audience scared and anxious.

Asides from horror movies, making horror music is also fun. You get to experiment with sounds and create jump scares. You can express yourself, explore different ideas, and let your creativity get the better of you.

In this blog post, we’ll provide you with three methods for making horror movie music. We’ll also give a bonus tip, answers to FAQs and list a few things to do if you can’t get a hang of the techniques.

Method 1: Creating a Basic Horror Score Using Analog Equipment

Creating a basic horror movie score using analog equipment is a fundamental technique. It allows you to use an instrument and capture an imagined sound that can then be edited on a computer. Here are the steps:

  1. First, turn on your analog synthesizer. Most synthesizers have a default sound, but you can create a unique sound by manipulating the settings.
  2. Manipulate the synthesizer’s amplitude envelope. This allows you to alter the sound’s attack, decay, release, and sustain. For a horror movie, you might want to increase the attack time and lower the decay and sustain, creating a quick, startling sound.
  3. Increase the oscillator. This will increase the pitch of the sound and allow you to add more texture. You can also add a filter to the sound. A filter enables you to select which frequencies are audible and which aren’t. Selecting a low bandpass filter will reduce high frequencies, making the sound deep and full.
  4. Record the sound. Use a digital audio workstation (DAW) or other device to record the sound. Press the record button and wait for the sound to play.
  5. Edit the recording. Trim the audio to your preferred length. Silence any unwanted noise at the beginning and the end of the sound. Also, consider adding other sounds that create suspense.
  6. Export the sound and use it in your horror movie or edit further.

Pros:

  • Analog equipment provides a unique sound
  • The technique is cost-effective.
  • You can experiment with various devices and instruments to create endless sounds.

Cons:

  • Learning how to use the equipment effectively can be challenging.
  • Creating a timbre from the ground requires hours or even days of experimentation.
  • Analog equipment may not produce the sound you want.

Method 2: Creating Horror Music Digitally Via Synthesizers and Virtual Instruments

Digital horror music has advantages such as control. You can create horror music digitally using a synthesizer plugin on your DAW or virtual instruments like Native Instruments. Below are six steps to create horror music digitally.

  1. Begin by opening your digital audio workspace, such as Ableton or FL Studio.
  2. Choose an instrument such as a synthesizer plugin or a virtual instrument such as Spectrasonics Omnisphere or Kontakt.
  3. Select a patch and then modify it to create something unique. In modern plugins, you can manipulate the sound and find effects like reverb, delay, and others.
  4. Add effects like reverb or delay to intensify the sound. This can change the tone and create suspenseful sounds.
  5. Finally, use your notation software to record your ideas or MIDI keyboard. You can draw in notes if you are not good at playing a keyboard.
  6. Edit the music as necessary to achieve your desired sound.

Pros:

  • Digital instruments are versatile, allowing you to modify sounds to suit your needs.
  • You can edit your music in real-time.
  • This method has a low barrier of entry since you can use free plugins and virtual instruments.

Cons:

  • You’ll need to have a basic knowledge of music theory to create good horror music.
  • VSTs can be costly.
  • The process can be time-consuming and tedious.

Method 3: Creating Horror Movie Music Via Sampling

Another method for creating horror movie music that is highly effective is the use of samples. Samplers enable you to manipulate recorded sounds creatively. Here are seven steps to implement this method:

  1. Begin by creating your horror music score’s basic structure and timeline. Plan out your horror scene and where the music will play most prominently.
  2. sample sounds that pertain to horror such as screams, chains rattling, and eerie ambient sounds.
  3. You can create your sounds by recording foley sound effects of various things like knives scraping etc.
  4. Record and edit the sounds you sampled using your favored audio editing software.
  5. Create a new track within your DAW.
  6. Import the processed samples into your DAW, then place them into the timeline.
  7. Edit and adjust the sound samples to suit your requirements.

Pros:

  • You can manipulate sound to create something unique.
  • The process is quick and easy once you get the hang of it.
  • You can add as many or a little sample as you like to get your desired effect.

Cons:

  • If the samples used are from a licensed source, there can be legal complications.
  • Editing samples can be time-consuming.
  • The quality of samples can vary.

What to Do If You Can’t Make Horror Movie Music

Not everyone will be able to create good horror music right away. Below are a few fixes:

  • Learn music theory. Horror music often involves the use of classical thirds and fifths, and a good understanding of music theory can be helpful.
  • Listen to variations of horror movie music and take notes. Once you’ve done that, attempt to recreate it.
  • Experiment with different samples, FX plugins, and instruments. There is no right or wrong way to create horror music.

Bonus Tip: Using Foley Sounds to Add to the Horror Experience

If you are creating a horror movie from scratch, including foley sounds can enhance the viewing pleasure. For instance, you can add realistic elements to the horror movie, that would come across as real and more terrifying to audiences.

5 FAQs

Q1. Can Fretless Instruments Be Used to Make Horror Movie Music?

A1. Yes, fretless instruments provide flexibility when it comes to manipulating sound. Examples of such fretless instruments are the bass or electric guitar.

Q2. How Can I Create a Suspenseful, Creepy Sound Effect?

A2. You can create a suspenseful, creepy sound effect by using simple techniques such as recording an audio sample with a high reverb, then adding effects like EQ filters or plugins. Also, try experimenting with panning the sound in different positions to make it sound more disorienting.

Q3. How Can I Make My Horror Movie Music Stand Out?

A3. Making horror movie music stand out requires time spent exploring techniques and being creative. Try experimenting with different genres, sub-genres, and mashups. Also, explore different tools, plugins, and instruments until you find your signature sound.

Q4. Do I Need Expensive Equipment to Create Horror Movie Music?

A4. No, you don’t. You can create horror movie music with readily available equipment like a computer, digital audio workspace, and free plugins.

Q5. How Long Will It Take Before I Can Compose Good Horror Movie Music?

A5. It depends on your knowledge of music theory, creativity, and how often you practice. Anyone can compose good horror movie music with patience, practice, and learning.

Final Thoughts

Creating horror movie music offers a unique opportunity to let your creativity run wild. Horror music can create complex emotions by being terrifying, suspenseful, or sometimes uncomfortably funky. By practicing using these methods and tips, you’ll soon be on your way to making the next iconic horror movie soundtrack.