
I’m Don Patterson, a music producer and composer specializing in cinematic scores and soundscapes. I create emotional, story-driven music for film and TV. Let’s bring your vision to life with custom, professional sound that moves your audience. Let me know if you'd like variations!
I'm Don Patterson, a music producer and composer specializing in cinematic scores, orchestral sounds, and rich soundscapes for film, television, and radio. With over 30 years of experience, I bring a deep understanding of storytelling and sound design to every project, crafting music that enhances mood, builds tension, and evokes emotion.
Whether you're working on a short film, documentary, podcast, or commercial, I offer original compositions tailored to your creative vision. My style blends orchestral elements, modern production, and soulful melodies—perfect for moments that need to move people.
Clients appreciate my collaborative approach, fast turnaround, and attention to detail. I pride myself on translating your ideas into sound that resonates. From subtle underscores to dramatic themes and vocal layering, I create music that speaks to the heart of your story.
Let’s work together to bring your project to life with sound that leaves a lasting impact.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Credits
Languages
- English
Interview with Don Patterson
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: One project I’m especially proud of was creating music for a series of radio commercials. There’s something powerful about hearing your work come through the speakers, knowing it’s reaching thousands of people in real time. I was responsible for composing and producing the music, making sure it captured the right energy and tone to support the brand’s message. It was a fast-paced, detail-focused project, and hearing those finished spots on the radio was a proud and validating moment—it reminded me why I love doing this.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Right now, I’m taking time to sharpen my skills and explore new sounds and techniques. I’m experimenting with different orchestral and hybrid textures, refining my workflow, and building up a library of original compositions. It’s a creative season of growth and preparation—so when the next project comes along, I’ll be ready to bring my best work to the table.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: With digital, I can control the sound.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise to you is simple: I will treat your project like it’s my own. I’m committed to delivering high-quality, emotionally powerful music that elevates your vision and meets your deadline. You’ll get clear communication, professional production, and a creative partner who listens, adapts, and delivers. I don’t stop until you’re truly satisfied with the final result—because your success is my success.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I love most about my job is the ability to tell stories through music. There’s nothing more rewarding than creating a piece that moves people, enhances a scene, or brings someone’s vision to life. Every project is a new emotional journey, and I get to help shape how that journey feels. I also love the creative freedom—no two days are the same, and that constant challenge keeps me inspired.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How long will it take? How much will it cost. One of the most common questions I get is: “Can you make something that sounds like Paul McCartney?” My answer is: Absolutely—I can capture that style, mood, or energy. I always ask what specifically stands out to them in the reference—whether it's the instrumentation, pacing, emotional tone, or overall vibe. From there, I create something original that aligns with that vision while making sure it fits the unique needs of their project. The goal is to deliver something inspired, but never generic.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The biggest misconception is that composing music is just about inspiration or “playing around” with sounds. In reality, it’s a highly focused process that involves storytelling, technical skill, and a deep understanding of emotion, pacing, and sound design. People often underestimate how much thought goes into crafting music that supports a scene, builds tension, or moves an audience. It’s not just about making something that sounds good—it’s about making something that feels right and serves the bigger picture.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask a few key questions to make sure I fully understand their vision and deliver exactly what they need: What’s the purpose or story behind the project? - Are there any reference tracks or styles you have in mind? - What emotions or energy do you want the music to convey? - What’s your deadline and final format requirements? - How involved do you want to be during the creative process? These questions help me align my creative approach with their goals so we can create something powerful, effective, and uniquely yours.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: My advice is: be clear about your vision, but stay open to creative collaboration. The more you can share upfront—like reference tracks, emotional goals, or story context—the better I can tailor the music to fit your needs. At the same time, trust the process. A good composer isn’t just following instructions—they’re bringing something original and emotionally impactful to the table. Look for someone who listens well, communicates clearly, and cares as much about your project as you do.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Guitar, Piano and laptop/.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been composing and producing music for over 20 years. My career started with a deep love for film scores and storytelling through sound. I studied music theory, arrangement, and production, and gradually built my skills by working on independent films, trailers, and digital media projects. Over time, I developed a cinematic style that blends orchestral and modern elements, and I’ve continued to grow by collaborating with directors, content creators, and other artists. It’s been a journey of constant learning, and I’m just as passionate today as when I started.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I describe my style as unique. My style is cinematic, emotional, and story-driven. I blend orchestral elements with modern textures to create music that feels big, immersive, and evocative. Whether it’s a subtle ambient cue or a high-impact trailer track, my focus is always on enhancing the narrative and creating a deep emotional connection through sound. I aim for music that not only sounds great—but feels alive.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Paul McCartney, Richard Carpenter and Robert Lamb.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: One tip I always share is: focus on emotion before perfection. It’s easy to get caught up tweaking EQs and chasing a “clean” mix, but if the music doesn’t move people, none of that matters. Start by capturing the emotional core of the piece—whether it’s through melody, harmony, or dynamics—then refine the production around that. A raw but emotionally powerful idea will always beat a polished track that feels empty.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I usually work on string, cinematic, orchestral, and ambient music—especially for film, trailers, and digital media. I specialize in creating emotional scores, dramatic builds, and immersive soundscapes that support storytelling and visual content. I also work on hybrid styles that blend orchestral elements with electronic textures, giving projects a modern, dynamic edge.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is creating emotionally resonant music that tells a story. Whether it's a cinematic score, trailer cue, or ambient piece, I have a deep instinct for matching sound to emotion and building tension, energy, or atmosphere exactly where it’s needed. I’m able to translate a client’s vision into music that elevates their project—and I do it efficiently, with a polished, professional sound every time.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring cinematic depth, emotional storytelling, and a producer’s ear for detail to every track I touch. Whether it's building a sweeping orchestral arrangement, adding atmospheric textures, or crafting a powerful hook, I focus on enhancing the emotional core of the song. My background in film scoring helps me shape music that moves people—and my technical experience ensures it sounds just as good as it feels. I don’t just create sounds—I help bring your vision to life in a way that’s both dynamic and unforgettable.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My typical work process starts with understanding the client’s vision—whether it’s for a film, trailer, game, or branded content. I begin by discussing the mood, pacing, and emotional arc they’re aiming for. From there, I sketch out musical ideas, often starting with piano or strings, and then build the arrangement using a mix of virtual instruments and live elements when needed. I share drafts along the way to get feedback and make adjustments early in the process. Once the direction is locked in, I move into final production, mixing, and mastering to deliver a polished, broadcast-ready track. Collaboration and communication are key—I make sure the final music not only meets expectations but elevates the project.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is a hybrid setup designed for both creativity and precision. I work primarily on Roland, Korg and Yamaha . For vocals, effect machine, East West and live instruments, I have a quality condenser mic, audio interface, and treated space to ensure clean, professional recordings. Whether I’m scoring orchestral pieces or producing modern cinematic cues, my studio is fully equipped to handle it all with flexibility and clarity.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Paul McCartney, Rich Carpenter and Robert Lamb
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: As a music composer and producer, the most common work I do for clients involves creating original, emotion-driven scores for film and TV.
- Production Sound MixerAverage price - $300 per day
- Composer OrchestralAverage price - $70 per song
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- Classical GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $70 per song
You are licensing this work for limited commercial or personal use. 2 revisions, non-exclusive licensing, and on-time delivery. Credit as "Music by Don Patterson." Extra terms discussed per project.
- Paul McCartney
- Richard Carpenter
- Don Henley
- Slinger Drums
- Yamaha
- Korg T3
- Studio 7
- electronic drums
- Tailor 12 string agostic
- Feather agostic 6 and 12 string