JON LARSON SOUNDS
Game Composer and Sound Designer
About Me
Jon utilizes his background in computer science to get deep into the weeds of technical sound design and audio implementation; as comfortable in the DAW as he is in audio middleware and code. He brings a deep understanding of how technical game systems work, and how the audio can best be designed to support and enhance those systems.
A musician and performer for over 25 years, Jon is also a proficient singer, cellist, electric bass player, guitarist, keyboardist, and percussionist. He combines a foundation in classical training with a love of rock, jazz, and electronic music, with particular influence from Japanese video game composers. Jon is especially skilled at creating a cinematic soundtrack which supports the narrative, establishes the mood, and carries the action.
Jon Larson is a committed sound designer and composer based in Redmond, Washington. After completing a Computer Science degree at St. John's University, Jon began a second degree in Music and Sound Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology where he is currently a Junior. In the past two years, he has served as a music composer, sound designer, and voiceover artist for several game projects, as well as live community performances.
Biography
Hailing from Minnesota, Jon began his musical journey at a young age, learning the cello from age 3. He sang and studied music theory with the Saint John's Boy's Choir for six years, and later branched out into other string instruments, learning guitar and bass, as well as piano and percussion. He continued performing and playing music throughout his high school and college years, and graduated from Saint John's University in 2015 with a BA in computer science. After some years spent freelancing, he moved to Redmond, Washington to study Music and Sound Design at DigiPen Institute of Technology.
Jon is influenced by classic progressive rock bands such as Rush, Yes, and Genesis, as well as Japanese game composers such as Takeshi Abo, Shoji Meguro, and Masafumi Takada. He firmly believes in the power of audio to enhance and reinforce a good narrative, and to elevate a gameplay experience to greater heights.
In his free time, Jon loves to play video games, and enjoys livestreaming on Twitch. He's also actively involved in the Link to the Past Randomizer community, where he provides live commentary for tournaments and races. He also enjoys playing live music, and can be found at the occasional jam session or performance.
Selected Works
Below is a selection of my work over the years, from an arrangement of Tom Petty for solo bass and voice, to an atonal piano composition.
An oldie but goodie, my rendition of a bass solo written by the esteemed Michael Manring, which I taught myself way back in 2013. Recording is from 2021, using my Tom Clement custom fretless bass.
Voiceover Demo Reels
Character/Animation
Narration