Composer Sarah Schachner and the MANLEY FORCE®
1. You’ve composed soundtracks to several of the biggest video game franchises in modern times. What (and when) was your first introduction to video game scoring?
I grew up performing in bands and playing many instruments, so that skill set really came in handy when I moved out to LA and got my start working for other composers doing additional music. The first projects I worked on that really excited me were video games. After a number of years doing that, there was an opportunity to demo for one of the Assassin’s Creed games on my own, and I’ve been scoring games ever since.
2. How much of your audio production do you do yourself? And is it usually at home, or in commercial studios?
My default is to do it all myself. I play lots of live instruments on my scores and track them in my home studio. In the case that I’m recording with a live orchestra, or a specialty soloist, I’ll do that at a proper studio and then bring that audio back into my sessions and blend it with what I’ve produced. On a handful of game projects that Sony Interactive has been involved in, I’ve been lucky to have access to their Playstation studios here in LA and San Francisco.
3. How did you first hear about Manley Labs, and what does “Manley gear” mean to you?
I knew people that were using the Manley Reference Cardioid mic and always got great results on vocals. To me, Manley means reliably high end gear that enhances and brings out the best in whatever you’re recording. It’s also rare and great to see a company born from a woman’s technical genius.
4. When did you first try the FORCE mic preamp?
I wanted to upgrade my preamp and get something that would complement the solo strings I record. I had recently done a session with a guitarist who had the FORCE at his studio which sounded incredible and I knew I needed to have it.
5. You’re a Star Wars fan, right (aren’t we all)? Did this play a part in you choosing to buy a FORCE?
It was definitely a plus. Paired with the ARP2600, you could record a nice ode to R2-D2.
6. How does the FORCE help you in your work, and how would you describe the difference it makes?
Aside from synths, most of what I record live in my studio is acoustic and very close mic’d. Cello, viola, violin, ethnic string instruments, guitars, and light percussion, to name a few. I need to capture these performances sounding as good as possible going in before I do any creative processing and the FORCE gives me that elevated clarity and definition I’m looking for.
The warmth from the tubes is fantastic, and the massive amount of headroom gives me the flexibility I need with so many dynamic instruments. And the HI boost option on each of the four channels is great for those mics that need that extra push.
7. What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to have a career in film, tv or video game composition?
Find that thing that’s unique to you. Don’t rely on the endless sample libraries out there that everyone has access to. A little bit of human imperfection in your music can go a long way. If you play instruments, utilize those skills and develop a personal sound with your production as well as your writing. Composers today are expected to produce and mix their own music at a professional level.