James Orr is an Australian film composer, music producer and sound engineer/designers, with an extensive portfolio of productions across film, television, documentaries, exhibitions, and live installations. Working out of Melbourne, he first cut his teeth as an audio engineer and co-writer with Golden Globe winning composer Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance, Gladiator, The Insider). He contributed to a range of scores and albums, taking on writing, production and mixing duties, the culmination of this led to the first Paul Currie’s 2017 feature thriller ‘2:22', the score of which was nominated an APRA Screen Music Award. Since then, his work has reached various continents and genres, establishing him as a versatile and creative voice in both the Australian music scene and beyond. He has worked with a range of artists in a variety of roles, including Hans Zimmer, Daniel Johns, Harry Gregson-Williams, Sparklehorse, Ancient Astronauts, Tim Rogers , Dave Graney, Raul Sanchez, to name a few. He is currently the keyboard tech and backup keyboardist for seminal British-Australian band, Dead Can Dance. He produces music and remixes for German indie label Switchstance Recordings under the moniker Fixed Error, releasing a blend of funk, breaks, hip-hop and dub, described by David Cecil of East African Records as music “that you can get lost in for weeks ... a high-concept, precision-cut musical odyssey that is packed in equal measure with original ideas and funky dancefloor energy”. Outside of this, he regularly involved himself in undertakes education and tutoring in music and studio production methodology, working with young creatives looking to develop their technical abilities in the studio. He also make regular contributions to sample pack releases and is currently developing his own brand of boutique library releases.

James Orr

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James Orr is an Australian film composer, music producer and sound engineer/designers, with an extensive portfolio of productions across film, television, documentaries, exhibitions, and live installations. Working out of Melbourne, he first cut his teeth as an audio engineer and co-writer with Golden Globe winning composer Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance, Gladiator, The Insider). He contributed to a range of scores and albums, taking on writing, production and mixing duties, the culmination of this led to the first Paul Currie’s 2017 feature thriller ‘2:22', the score of which was nominated an APRA Screen Music Award. Since then, his work has reached various continents and genres, establishing him as a versatile and creative voice in both the Australian music scene and beyond. He has worked with a range of artists in a variety of roles, including Hans Zimmer, Daniel Johns, Harry Gregson-Williams, Sparklehorse, Ancient Astronauts, Tim Rogers , Dave Graney, Raul Sanchez, to name a few. He is currently the keyboard tech and backup keyboardist for seminal British-Australian band, Dead Can Dance. He produces music and remixes for German indie label Switchstance Recordings under the moniker Fixed Error, releasing a blend of funk, breaks, hip-hop and dub, described by David Cecil of East African Records as music “that you can get lost in for weeks ... a high-concept, precision-cut musical odyssey that is packed in equal measure with original ideas and funky dancefloor energy”. Outside of this, he regularly involved himself in undertakes education and tutoring in music and studio production methodology, working with young creatives looking to develop their technical abilities in the studio. He also make regular contributions to sample pack releases and is currently developing his own brand of boutique library releases.

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James Orr is an Australian film composer, music producer and sound engineer/designers, with an extensive portfolio of productions across film, television, documentaries, exhibitions, and live
installations.

Working out of Melbourne, he first cut his teeth as an audio engineer and co-writer with Golden Globe winning composer Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance, Gladiator, The Insider). He contributed to a range of scores and albums, taking on writing, production and mixing duties, the culmination of this led to the first Paul Currie’s 2017 feature thriller ‘2:22’, the score of which was nominated an APRA Screen Music Award.

Since then, his work has reached various continents and genres, establishing him as a versatile and creative voice in both the Australian music scene and beyond. He has worked with a range of artists in a variety of roles, including Hans Zimmer, Daniel Johns, Harry Gregson-Williams, Sparklehorse, Ancient Astronauts, Tim Rogers , Dave Graney, Raul Sanchez, to name a few. He is currently the keyboard tech and backup keyboardist for seminal British-Australian band, Dead Can Dance.

He produces music and remixes for German indie label Switchstance Recordings under the moniker Fixed Error, releasing a blend of funk, breaks, hip-hop and dub, described by David Cecil of East African Records as music “that you can get lost in for weeks … a high-concept, precision-cut musical odyssey that is packed in equal measure with original ideas and funky dancefloor energy”.

Outside of this, he regularly involved himself in undertakes education and tutoring in music and studio production methodology, working with young creatives looking to develop their technical abilities in the studio. He also make regular contributions to sample pack releases and is currently developing his own brand of boutique library releases.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Composer/Producer at Soundling
January 1, 2017 - November 17, 2025
Scoring to various visual media, electronic music production and artist producing, remixing, synth programming, developing and contributing to loop and sample packs.
Studio Engineer/Co-Composer at Lisa Gerrard
January 1, 2007 - November 17, 2025
Mix engineer and music collaborator on many award-winning feature films, documentaries and TV. Contributed musically and as mixer on numerous recordings and live performances.
Keyboard/S/BACKLINE Tech at Dead Can Dance
January 1, 2012 - November 17, 2025
Regular keyboard tech for the band’s touring show. Implementing and running dedicated keyboard setups.
Studio Engineer / Co-Composer at Lisa Gerrard
January 1, 2007 - November 17, 2025
Mix engineer and music collaborator on many award-winning feature films, documentaries and TV. Contributed musically and as mixer on numerous recordings and live performances.
Keyboard/S Backline Tech at Dead Can Dance
January 1, 2012 - November 17, 2025
Regular keyboard tech for the band’s touring show. Implementing and running dedicated keyboard setups.
Keyboard S/Backline Tech at Dead Can Dance
January 1, 2012 - November 17, 2025
Regular keyboard tech for the band's touring show. Implementing and running dedicated keyboard setups.
Keyboard/S-BACKLINE Tech at Dead Can Dance
January 1, 2012 - November 17, 2025
Regular keyboard tech for the band's touring show. Implementing and running dedicated keyboard setups.
Audio Engineer / Sound Designer at Lisa Gerrard / Cloverdale Downs Pty Ltd
January 1, 2007 - November 21, 2025
Audio engineering and sound design for high-profile projects, collaborating with creative teams and developing studio workflows.
Keyboard Technician / Keyboardist at Dead Can Dance
January 1, 2012 - November 21, 2025
Live and studio keyboard support, tuning, rigging, and performance coordination for touring and recording.
Producer / Remixer at Switchstance Recordings
January 1, 2022 - November 21, 2025
Produced and remixed tracks across genres and contributed to scores and albums.
Library Composer at Melodie Music
January 1, 2024 - November 21, 2025
Composes library music for film and TV; creates cues across genres.
Sample Developer / Loop Creator at Evolution Series / Loopabit
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Developed samples and loops for library libraries and plugin platforms.
Guest Lecturer / Workshop Instructor at Collarts Academy of the Arts
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Delivered lectures and workshops on music production, sound design and studio practice.
Skills Development Instructor at NDIS
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Instructed clients in audio production and studio methodology, enabling practical skills development.
Guest Lecturer / Workshop Instructor at Coll Arts Academy of the Arts
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Lectures and workshops to develop technical skills in composition, sound design and production.
Music Development Instructor at NDIS
January 1, 2024 - November 21, 2025
Educational instruction in music development for clients.
Producer / Remixer at Switchstance Recordings
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Produces and remixes for a variety of artists and releases.
Library Composer at Melodie Music
January 1, 2022 - November 21, 2025
Library composer contributing cues for various media projects.
Music Development Instructor at NDIS
January 1, 2020 - November 21, 2025
Music development instructor supporting inclusive education and creative programs.

Education

Bachelor of Music (Technical Production) at Victoria University
February 1, 2004 - January 1, 2007
Master of Arts (Anthropology) at Deakin University
January 1, 1998 - December 1, 2002
Certificate III in Small Business at Holmesglen Institute
March 1, 2018 - October 14, 2018
Bachelor of Music (Technical Production) at Victoria University Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) at Deakin University Geelong
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2003
Cert IV in Small Business at Holmesglen Institute Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2020
Bachelor of Music (Technical Production) at Victoria University Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) at Deakin University Geelong
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2003
Cert IV in Small Business at Holmesglen Institute Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2020
Bachelor of Music (Technical Production) at Victoria University, Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2007
Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology) at Deakin University, Geelong
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2003
Certificate IV in Small Business at Holmesglen Institute, Melbourne
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2020

Qualifications

Cert IV in Small Business
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2020
Honours degree in Anthropology (High Distinction)
January 11, 2030 - November 21, 2025
Cert IV in Small Business
January 11, 2030 - November 21, 2025
Certificate IV in Small Business
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2020

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other
    uniE621 Jane Got A Gun
    US feature film starring Natalie Portman & Ewan McGregor. A western, it follows a woman who seeks her ex-lover for help in order to save her outlaw husband from a gang out to kill him https://youtu.be/fm7qxI3gmpw?si=SfgAxB7SzV5IwDey IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140037
    uniE621 2:22
    Australian/US feature film about man whose life is derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 p.m. https://youtu.be/I6DKNWM6EVo?si=ZNYNxldQZb8Dr7t7 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1131724
    uniE621 Burning Man
    Australian feature film about an English chef who is trying to put his life and his relationship with his son back on track, while dealing with grief by surrounding himself with women and other self-destructive behaviors. https://youtu.be/P05zPFsDV1E?si=iYb7n4nzr7rBgfy4 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1570559
    uniE621 Deadbeat Ends Meet
    Australian animation series following housemates Milo (a frill neck lizard) and Indy (a dingo) as they navigate their ambitions and identities whilst reckoning with the cost of living and the pitfalls of the gig economy. https://youtu.be/mBPU6KeZP4w?si=YkkJ3KLGnkiaXE9Y IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34748315
    uniE621 Samsara
    US documentary. filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film. Samsara transports the viewer to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders. https://youtu.be/HCkEILshUyU?si=e-9WGGlhpVRquhTl IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802
    uniE621 Secret Bridesmaids Business
    Australian TV Mini-Series detailing the power of friendship comes to hand as three friends find this out through life and death situations. https://youtu.be/i1AbU_GTcaE?si=mG-U9xYJg2ZU6whs IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9893174
    uniE621 Untold
    Album release as Fixed Error. Produced, mix and wrote all tracks. Released by Switchstance Recordings in 2023.
    uniE621 Undertow
    Australian feature film "Undertow", released in 2018. Trailer: https://youtu.be/FVO803_FEV0?si=XQpfIXNQBI0TdPMq IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6342316
    uniE621 Twilight Kingdom
    Co-wrote, produced and mixed Lisa Gerrard's "Twilight Kingdom" album. Released by Air-Edel in 2014.
    uniE621 Time Addicts
    Australian black comedy/sci-fi about Denise and Johnny, two drug-dependent best friends, who heist a bag of time-travelling crystal in order to pay off their debt to a volatile dealer. Trailer: https://youtu.be/THMjruod8uI?si=tL-7uWaIwQyFbO03 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21081126
    uniE621 Balibo
    Australian feature film about war correspondent Roger East and the young Jose Ramos-Horta, as they travel to East Timor to investigate the murders of the Balibo Five in 1975. https://youtu.be/ZMw9gjiBU1o?si=4QJbNzyFmXiZKoKf IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1111876
    uniE621 Favourites
    AACTA nominated Australian short comedy film where two parents face an impossible choice when their family camping trip turns deadly. IMDb: https://www.twine.net/signin