Manuel Marino

Producer, Composer, Beatmaker

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7 Reviews (3 Verified)
Manuel Marino on SoundBetter

Need just a few orchestral touches in your track? Get 50% off my usual rates when you don’t need a full arrangement!

With over ten years of experience in creating story driven branded entertainment, I am a Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist specializing in videogames, short films, feature films, web series, viral campaigns, educational talk shows, and advertising. My portfolio features projects like Beargo, Colorix, Elven Legends, Lux, The Falconers: Moonlight, and UFO: Alien Invasion, which has reached over 1.7 million downloads.

As a film music composer, I have scored feature films such as "Hell Trip" and the action drama "Thinner Blue Line", as well as numerous short films and commercials. As a songwriter, I have produced hundreds of tracks in a wide range of styles, including hip hop, pop, jazz, electronic, and funk. I also run my own independent electronic music label.

I am detail focused and dedicated, passionate about crafting music that leaves a mark. Feel free to explore my portfolio and reach out, I'd love to help bring your ideas to life and collaborate on your next project.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

7 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Manuel Marino
  1. Review by Bryan B.
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    Manuel worked with me last year to provide the orchestral bones on a track. He takes my raw ideas and glues them together. I came back to him with a similar gig and the result is as expected. He is fantastic to work with and can deliver cinema quality sound!

  2. Review by Bryan B.
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    I brought Manuel into my early project development team to help get our initial orchestral sound started. He was very quick to reply and delivered the bones for our song in just a few days so that we could start working with our singer. He brings an epic orchestral feel to his work and it was great working with him!

  3. Review by Flavien F.
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    Manuel is a good creator and knows how to create a song in your style .
    -dynamic
    -creative
    -adapts to everyone's style

  4. Review by Laurence Tong
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    by Laurence Tong

    Manuel is a very experienced and talented composer! I really thanks to his great contribution in the original soundtrack of my awarded short film "I Said" (https://vimeo.com/244450286). I definitely wish to work with him again in the future!

  5. Review by Alessio Falsetti
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    by Alessio Falsetti

    I worked with Manuel on several projects, both videogames and other type of productions. In every situation he has always shown himself to be very professional, helpful, friendly and quick to deliver. The passion he puts into his work is evident in the great musical production he has always shown.

  6. Review by Thomas M. Krystyan
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    by Thomas M. Krystyan

    I have met Manu during working on our indie game side-project. This initiative is probably one of the most important things to me and to my team, and Manuel put a lot of effort to prove his engagement, support, positive attitude, and proactivity in each of smaller or bigger requested music orders. Manuel's retrowave taste fits to our genre and my needs better than expected. Also, he is very open to cooperation and polishing the result. His talent to compose catchy, rhytmic and various retro or orchestral themes, makes our game (stylized to 80s and 90s) a bit closer to being finished.

  7. Review by Isaac Goodrick
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    by Isaac Goodrick

    As a Game Developer I had met Manuel through standard online mediums, I had quite a large order to fill and so I sought out Manuel Marino to complete my requirements.
    I find that the work provided by Manuel to be above my expectations on every occasion. I have asked Manuel for a variety of work including Sound Effects, Orchestras and Voice Acting, to which every audio created has amazed me.
    Every piece of work provided by Manuel is a masterpiece and I cannot think more highly of this man's work, his friendly demeanour, quality of work and attention to detail is exemplary.

Interview with Manuel Marino

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: One project I’m especially proud of is the soundtrack I created for "UFO: Alien Invasion," a videogame that has reached over 1.7 million downloads. Being part of a project that reached so many people and left a mark in the gaming community means a lot to me.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Right now I’m working on several projects, including music for a new indie videogame, some orchestral elements for a pop album, and a few tracks for short films. I’m also busy updating my music portfolio and experimenting with new sounds for my electronic music label. Every day brings something different, and I love keeping my creativity flowing!

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Both! I love using analog and digital together because each one brings something special. Analog gear gives warmth, character, and that "human" feeling, while digital tools offer endless flexibility, precision, and creative options. Mixing the two lets me get the best of both worlds, unique sounds with emotional depth, but also modern quality and control. For me, it’s all about using whatever works best for the music and the emotion I want to create.

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: My promise is to always listen carefully to your ideas, respect your vision, and give every project my full dedication. I guarantee open and honest communication, quick replies, and a real passion for making your music unique and memorable. Your satisfaction means everything to me, and I won’t stop working until you’re truly happy with the result.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: Probably the creative freedom and the joy of bringing ideas to life through music. Every project is a new world to explore, and I love the challenge of translating emotions and stories into sound. Making something that moves people or helps tell their story is incredibly rewarding for me. Plus, collaborating with talented artists and clients from all over the world always inspires me and keeps things fresh.

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: One of the most common questions I get is: “Can you make my song sound more cinematic or epic?” My answer is always yes! I love bringing that cinematic touch to any track, whether it’s with orchestral elements, dramatic builds, or unique textures. I always listen to what you want first, and then find the best way to add that special feel to your music. Another question is about the process and turnaround time. I usually explain that I deliver the first version within a week, and one revision is always included so you can be sure the music fits exactly what you have in mind.

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: The biggest misconception is that creating music, especially orchestral or cinematic tracks, is just about pressing a few keys and letting the software do the rest. In reality, it takes a lot of skill, creativity, and attention to detail to make digital music sound truly emotional and real. Every part, from the arrangement to the tiny imperfections that make it feel human, is carefully crafted. My goal is always to give each piece its own character and soul, not just a "preset" sound.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: I usually ask a few key questions to get to know your needs and ideas: What is the main purpose or mood of your project? Do you have any references or examples of music you like? Are there specific instruments or styles you want to include or avoid? What is your ideal deadline? Is there a story, message, or feeling you want the music to communicate? Are there technical requirements or formats you need? I love listening to my clients and making sure I understand their vision before starting. Good communication always leads to the best results!

  17. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  18. A: My advice is to be as clear as possible about your ideas and expectations from the start. Share your vision, references, and any examples you love, it really helps me understand what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request changes, because your satisfaction is the most important thing. Also, trust the creative process: sometimes a new perspective or suggestion can lead to something even better than you imagined!

  19. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  20. A: On a desert island, I’d bring my main keyboard (can’t live without it!), a powerful laptop with my favorite DAW and plugins, a good pair of headphones, my bass guitar, and a solar charger to keep everything running. With these, I could create music anywhere, even under the palm trees!

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: My style blends cinematic orchestral sounds with modern elements, often mixing traditional instruments with electronic textures. I love creating powerful, emotional music with deep, rich tones and dramatic melodies. My tracks often move across different moods and themes, keeping things dynamic and surprising. People say my music has a unique "storytelling" quality, always aiming to evoke strong feelings and leave a lasting impression.

  23. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  24. A: I would love to work with Hans Zimmer because his approach to blending orchestral and electronic sounds is truly inspiring. I admire how he brings emotion and intensity to every soundtrack, always creating something fresh and memorable. Working with someone like him would be a dream, both for the chance to learn and for the creative energy he brings to every project.

  25. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  26. A: I usually work on orchestral soundtracks for films and videogames, but I also create music for short films, web series, and commercials. Besides that, I often collaborate with Hip Hop, Metal, Rock, and Pop artists who want to add orchestral or cinematic elements to their tracks. This lets me move between classical, modern, and experimental styles, always focusing on creating something unique and emotional.

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  28. A: The things my fans often notice and love about my work are the powerful, deep, almost rock inspired violins, as well as the rich low tones I use. I’m known for being able to create a wide variety of themes, sometimes exploring a broad musical spectrum even within the same composition.

  29. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  30. A: I bring emotion, atmosphere, and a cinematic touch to every song. My experience as a composer for film and games helps me create music that tells a story and adds depth. Whether it’s orchestral elements, powerful synths, or unique arrangements, I love making each track stand out and feel memorable. I’m all about enhancing the mood and giving your music that special, professional sound.

  31. Q: What's your typical work process?

  32. A: My work process always starts with listening carefully to your needs and vision for the project. I like to discuss your ideas, references, and goals to be sure I understand exactly what you want. Once we agree on the direction, I’ll create a draft and share it with you for feedback. After your input, I’ll refine the music and send you an updated version. Usually, I deliver the first version within a week. One revision is always included, and I’m always happy to communicate throughout the process to be sure you’re fully satisfied with the final result!

  33. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  34. A: I work with keyboards, guitars, and basses to craft unique soundtracks using a blend of digital and analog sounds. I’ve developed a custom made orchestra, specially configured to sound incredibly realistic. This orchestra is perfect for soundtracks, and it also shines when used in Hip Hop, Metal, and Pop tracks, whether to support melodies or to create memorable intros and outros!

  35. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  36. A: My story began many years ago during the amazing mp3.com era! In just a few months, I became one of mp3.com’s top artists under the name Vanethian, and was featured in the well-known FLASHBACK2000 compilation. Since then, I’ve composed music for over 100 videogame soundtracks, commercials, short films, and much more.

  37. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  38. A: My main role is as a Film and Game Music Composer, creating soundtracks specifically designed to sync with video. That said, I’m also often approached by Hip Hop, Metal, Rock, and Pop artists who want to add my orchestral elements to their songs, so my work is quite versatile!

  39. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  40. A: Most digital orchestras just use recordings of orchestral instruments played on a keyboard, which often sounds too "perfect" and a bit robotic. My custom made orchestra, instead, captures the natural imperfections you hear in real performances, like little noises and "errors" that come from real musicians playing together. For example, real violins never sound exactly the same because every player adds their own small variations. These human touches create that beautiful "choral" effect we all love in real orchestras, and I’ve found a way to bring that feeling into my music.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: I love the Greatest Film Music Composers, like John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Danny Elfman, Alan Silvestri, Howard Shore, Basil Poledouris, Wendy Carlos, Vangelis.

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Commercial Demo by Manuel Marino

I was the Mixing Engineer, Composer, Producer in this production

Terms Of Service

Typically, one revision is included. Standard turnaround time is one week per song.
Additional costs may apply for:
Third-party live musicians
Rescoring or re-recording
Music editing
Vocalists

GenresSounds Like
  • Vangelis
  • Hans Zimmer
  • Ramin Djawadi
Gear Highlights
  • Oberheim MC 3000 Midi Master Keyboard
  • Alesis Pre Amps
  • Tascam Gear
  • Steinberg I/O
  • Yamaha Piano
  • Ibanez and Hamer Guitars and Basses.
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

Need just a few orchestral touches in your track? Get 50% off my usual rates when you don’t need a full arrangement!