Sky River Sound
Professional Sound Design and Field Recording
Sky River Sound is James Thatcher's sound design and field recording operation specializing in audio production for video games. I specialize in recording in nature and designing environmental ambience systems and wildlife sounds. I am also experienced working with sci-fi, weapons, creature, impact, and destruction sounds. I am skilled in using modular synthesizers, Wwise middleware, and game engines including Unreal 5 and Unity to deliver high-quality audio for your projects. I can work directly with development teams or deliver commissioned assets on a contract basis to bring your audio vision to life.
Game Audio Services by Sky River Sound
Game Sound Design
Having worked on game projects ranging from AAA to indie titles, I aim to see the end from the beginning, and this informs each decision made in the field and in the studio. I am skilled in field and studio recording, modular synthesizers, Wwise middleware, game engines including Unreal 5 and Unity and am experienced with different version control solutions including Perforce, GitHub, Unity and SVN.
Field Recording
I have provided field recordings for services such as Soundly and Artlist as well as a nature and cultural heritage project with the Snoqualmie Tribe. I am both equipped and experienced to record most any type of sound that you will need.
Commissioned Custom Sound Effects
Designed sounds are a great opportunity to add special impact to your game. I specialize in creature and sci-fi sound design and while much of my professional experience has been working with first person shooters, let's talk about your game and I'll let you know if I think I'm a good fit.
Nature Field Recording Expeditions
I have extensive outdoor and travel experience which allows me to safely record in remote and difficult to access locations, meaning I can grab the material needed to construct vivid in-game environments that pull the player into your world. I use techniques chosen for minimal impact to wildlife without compromising detail, definition or space. I have conducted expeditions in locations such as interior Alaska, Death Valley, Ash Meadows Nevada and throughout the wilds of the Pacific Northwest that I call home. International travel is also an option, reach out and let's discuss the worlds in your game and we'll find locations that will deliver the sounds your players need to not feel out of place in those worlds.
Sound Effects Libraries
Libraries of sound effects I have recorded and designed are available at: Sound Effects | A Sound Effect
Wwise Implementation
A specialty of mine is the design and implementation of interactive environmental systems including time of day, weather and "sweeteners" that help your player to feel fully invested in the world that you've created for your game. Other technical sound design services are also available as needed.