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about: 

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Dren McDonald founded Nerdtracks in 2009 and has composed/produced a lot of music for a lot of different mediums. His music is in over 75 video games (much of it he implemented himself, and designed the dynamic music systems), but also theme parks, advertisements, film and TV. Recently a lot of his work can be found in AR and VR experiences, specifically with his knowledge of Spark AR Studio, Unity and Quill. This section used to be a lot longer, but also, a lot more boring. Before nerdtracks Dren ran a record label, toured in a band, and he's also taught a little bit at UCSC/SFCM (music and audio for games). 

Daria Novo is a composer, conductor, vocalist & orchestrator who is a frequent collaborator with Dren. If there's a recording session happening for anything 'nerdtracks', Daria is sure to be there, either as a performer, orchestrator or conductor. She also composes for games, theater and libraries (such as the Facebook Sound Collection), and teaches at SFCM when there's time. 

DISCOGRAPHY (Dren)

AWARDS | NOMINATIONS

2017 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in an Indie Game: (nominee) Gunman Taco Truck

​2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Audio in a Handheld Title: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash

2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in a Casual Game: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash

2016 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game: (nominee) Gordon Ramsay Dash

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Indie Game Audio (WINNER) Gathering Sky 

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game (WINNER) Gathering Sky 

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Game Audio Article (WINNER) Audio Journals: Gathering Sky (Gamasutra)

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Interactive Score (nominee) Gathering Sky 

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Music in a Casual Game (nominee) Gathering Sky 

2015 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Handheld Audio (nominee) Gathering Sky 

2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Remix/Cover Song (WINNER) Grasswalk (Plants vs. Zombies) 

 

2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Soundtrack Album (nominee) The String Arcade 

 

2014 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Sound Design in a Casual Game (nominee) Diner Dash 2015

 

2012 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): Best Audio in a Social, Casual or Indie Game (nominee) Ghost Recon Commander

 

2011 GDC Online : Best Audio in an Online Game (nominee) Ravenwood Fair

 

2010 Game Audio Network Guild (GANG): “Distinguished Service Award”  (WINNER)


2011 IndieCade Best Audio (nominee) Skulls of the Shogun

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