Available to hire
Hi, I’m Gary Spinrad. I’m a dynamic audio professional with extensive experience leading sound design and composition across major AAA franchises, including multiple Call of Duty titles. I specialize in crafting immersive, emotionally resonant soundscapes and building adaptive audio systems using Wwise and Pro Tools.
I’ve mentored cross-disciplinary teams, streamlined creative pipelines, and delivered cinematic-quality audio that deepens narrative and boosts player engagement. In leadership roles at Free Range Games, Nightdive Studios, 343 Industries, and other studios, I’ve driven creative vision, collaboration, and production efficiency while maintaining high sonic fidelity.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Principal Sound Designer at Free Range Games
January 31, 2025 - July 8, 2025Led sound design on an unannounced open-world RPG using Unreal Engine 5 and Wwise. Designed modular environmental and reactive audio systems to support large-scale immersion.
Senior Sound Designer at Nightdive Studios
April 30, 2023 - July 8, 2025Brought legacy reboot System Shock to modern platforms with native UE4 audio integration. Supported pipelines and polish across gameplay and narrative content.
Senior Sound Designer at 343 Industries
January 31, 2021 - July 8, 2025Contributed to the final shipping milestone of Halo Infinite. Owned UI and Edit Mode sound design and supported gameplay polish across teams.
Audio Director at Big Red Button Entertainment
June 30, 2020 - July 8, 2025Directed all audio for an unshipped VR experience based on a major film IP. Oversaw voiceover sessions with celebrity talent and created spatial ambiance and reactive audio systems.
Freelance Sr. Sound Designer at Whitemoon Dreams
July 31, 2019 - July 8, 2025Sole audio creator for Transformers: Saviors of Metroplex on PC and Oculus platforms.
Audio Director at Zero Transform
May 31, 2017 - July 8, 2025Led full audio production on Proton Pulse for Oculus, Vive, and PSVR. Created adaptive tonal audio systems responsive to music key and pacing.
Senior Sound Designer at Sony Bend Studio
June 30, 2015 - July 8, 2025Defined the audio identity for Days Gone. Built scalable audio systems for weather, AI hordes, creature states, and interactivity. Collaborated across departments to streamline audio integration and develop custom audio tools.
Senior Sound Designer at Treyarch (Activision)
February 29, 2012 - July 8, 2025Shipped multiple Call of Duty titles including Black Ops, World at War, and Modern Warfare. Directed live weapon shoots, built scalable weapons audio systems, and scripted cinematic content.
Audio Director at Microprose
February 29, 2004 - July 8, 2025Sole composer and sound designer for Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes (Xbox). Directed voiceover, music, and full audio integration.
Composer / Sound Designer at Sierra Online
June 30, 1999 - July 8, 2025Composed and implemented scores, designed and integrated sound effects for titles including SWAT 3, Leisure Suit Larry's Casino, and Phantasmagoria II.
Principal Sound Designer at Free Range Games
January 1, 2025 - October 22, 2025Led sound design on an unannounced open-world RPG in UE5/Wwise. Designed modular environmental and reactive systems supporting large-scale immersion.
Senior Sound Designer at Nightdive Studios
April 1, 2023 - October 22, 2025Brought legacy reboot System Shock to modern platforms with native UE4 audio. Supported pipelines and polish across gameplay and narrative content.
Senior Sound Designer at 343 Industries
January 1, 2021 - October 22, 2025Final push for Halo Infinite shipping milestone. Owned UI and Edit Mode sound, supported gameplay polish across teams.
Audio Director at Big Red Button Entertainment
June 1, 2020 - October 22, 2025Directed all audio for an unshipped VR experience based on a major film IP. Oversaw VO sessions with celebrity talent, created spatial ambiance and reactivity systems.
Freelance Sr. Sound Designer at Whitemoon Dreams
July 1, 2019 - October 22, 2025Sole audio creator for Transformers: Saviors of Metroplex (PC/Oculus).
Audio Director at Zero Transform
May 1, 2017 - October 22, 2025Full audio lead on Proton Pulse (Oculus, Vive, PSVR) - Created adaptive tonal systems responding to music key and pacing.
Senior Sound Designer at Sony Bend Studio
June 1, 2015 - October 22, 2025Defined audio identity for Days Gone - Built scalable weather, AI hordes, creature states, and interactivity - Collaborated across departments to streamline audio integration and custom tools.
Senior Sound Designer at Treyarch (Activision)
February 1, 2012 - October 22, 2025Shipped multiple titles in the Call of Duty franchise including Black Ops, World at War, and Modern Warfare - Directed live weapon shoots, built scalable weapons systems, scripted cinematic content.
Audio Director at Microprose
February 1, 2004 - October 22, 2025Sole composer/sound designer on Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes (Xbox) - Directed voiceover, music, and full audio integration.
Composer / Sound Designer at Sierra Online
June 1, 1999 - October 22, 2025Titles: SWAT 3, Leisure Suit Larry's Casino, Phantasmagoria II - Composed and implemented scores, designed and integrated all SFX.
Principal Sound Designer at Free Range Games
May 1, 2021 - January 1, 2025Lead the creative and technical development of immersive audio, overseeing sound design strategy, asset creation, and integration to enhance storytelling and user engagement across interactive and cinematic media. Directed sound design for an unannounced UE5 open-world RPG, integrated audio with gameplay systems, mentored designers, and streamlined pipelines to ensure consistent quality across development stages.
Senior Sound Designer at Nightdive Studios
December 1, 2019 - April 1, 2023Designed, implemented, and refined audio systems that elevated gameplay, narrative, and player immersion; modernized System Shock reboot with native UE4 audio; aligned sound design with narrative and gameplay goals; streamlined documentation and workflow standards to boost cross-team collaboration.
Senior Sound Designer at 343 Industries
June 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021Delivered key audio systems and polish for Halo Infinite, owning UI and Edit Mode sound design, while collaborating across teams to ensure a cohesive, high-quality player experience through the final shipping milestone. Implemented adaptive sound cues for interactive menus and editing tools; streamlined integration workflows and documentation.
Audio Director at Big Red Button Entertainment
May 1, 2017 - June 1, 2020Led the full audio vision and production for an unshipped VR experience based on a major film IP, overseeing voice, music, and sound design to deliver a spatially immersive, cinematic experience. Designed spatial ambience and reactivity systems; managed audio budgets and vendor relationships to optimize resources under tight deadlines.
Audio Director at Zero Transform
June 1, 2015 - May 1, 2017Led the complete audio vision for Proton Pulse across Oculus, Vive, and PSVR, creating adaptive tonal systems that responded to gameplay rhythm and music pacing. Designed interactive soundscapes and collaborated with design and engineering teams to refine spatial mixing and performance.
Senior Sound Designer at Sony Bend Studio
June 1, 2012 - June 1, 2015Defined the core audio identity for Days Gone, implementing real-time adaptive audio behaviors in Wwise, and creating tools and pipelines to improve scalability, workflow efficiency, and cross-team collaboration.
Senior Sound Designer at Treyarch (Activision)
May 1, 2004 - February 1, 2012Shipped multiple Call of Duty titles, developed scalable weapon audio systems, scripted cinematic sound sequences, and collaborated with design, engineering, and animation teams to synchronize sound with gameplay and visual effects.
Audio Director at Microprose
January 1, 2000 - February 1, 2004Audio Director and sole composer/sound designer for Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes on Xbox, composing and producing over 60 original cues, leading VO sessions with 20+ actors, and implementing in-game audio integration for Xbox hardware.
Composer / Sound Designer at Sierra Online
June 1, 1994 - June 1, 1999Composed and implemented original scores for SWAT 3, Leisure Suit Larry's Casino, and Phantasmagoria II, delivering adaptive music and interactive audio with over 100 minutes of material; collaborated with development and art teams to align musical motifs with narrative arcs.
Freelance Senior Sound Designer at Whitemoon Dreams
January 1, 2019 - July 1, 2019Directed end-to-end audio production for a high-profile VR title; designed adaptive spatial and reactive sound systems; partnered with creative and technical leads to align audio with gameplay flow and narrative; managed budgets and external vendors.
Education
BA at Franklin & Marshall College
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1992Certificate at University of Washington
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1994BA, Music Theory and Composition at Franklin & Marshall College
January 11, 2030 - October 22, 2025Certificate, Sound Engineering at University of Washington
January 11, 2030 - October 22, 2025BA in Music Theory and Composition at Franklin & Marshall College
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Certificate in Sound Engineering at University of Washington
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026BA in Music Theory and Composition at Franklin & Marshall College
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Certificate in Sound Engineering at University of Washington
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Qualifications
MPSE Golden Reel Award - Best Sound Editing (CoD Black Ops)
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026NAMM TEC Award - Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Entertainment: Sound Production (CoD Black Ops)
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026MPSE Honors Membership / Golden Reel Awards
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Certificate in Sound Engineering
January 11, 2030 - April 9, 2026Industry Experience
Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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