Tom Salta: Crafting Epic Game Scores with Sonnox Plug-ins

Tom Salta is living the dream of many gamers-turned-musicians, winning awards and acclaim for his music in some of the hottest video game titles. Known for his dynamic, high-energy scores for games like Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 1 & 2, Ubisoft's Red Steel, Sony's MLB 2006, and EA's Need for Speed Underground 2, Tom Salta has carved out a strong niche in the highly competitive world of video game music. With a background that spans working with icons like Peter Gabriel and Whitney Houston to scoring movie trailers for Harry Potter, Salta’s unique blend of melodic creativity and technical expertise consistently delivers first-class results.

Current Projects and Background

Currently, Tom is working on several Tom Clancy titles along with at least five other game projects and movie trailer music. "I'm also finally underway with a second solo record," he adds. Tom's journey into the professional music scene began as a keyboard tech and lead sound designer on tour with Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston in the early 90s. "That experience helped launch my career, but after working with them, Mary J. Blige, and TLC, I realized I didn’t want to end up just touring." Transitioning to the studio, Tom produced for various artists, leading to notable projects with Peter Gabriel, Whitney Houston, and Cher.

Transition to Video Game Music

Tom’s pivotal career shift happened while playing Halo on Xbox. "I realized I should be doing music for games like this," he says. "Games are more liberating to write for than the confines of popular music, where you're always worrying about commercial appeal." To break into the industry, Tom created an album of licensable high-energy electronica under the alias Atlas Plug. "The album Two Days or Die was my transition into game composing," he explains. 

Games are more liberating to write for than the confines of popular music, where you're always worrying about commercial appeal

Microsoft licensed multiple tracks for Rally Sport Challenge 2, and a Volvo ad campaign used one of his songs from the game, providing valuable exposure and credibility. Every song from the album has since been licensed across games, movie trailers, and TV shows, firmly establishing Tom in the gaming world.

Production Setup

Tom primarily works with Logic Audio but also uses Pro Tools. His studio, while combining some hardware, relies heavily on software. "I have a Mini Moog and some Roland 1080’s hanging around, but it’s pretty much all software now," he notes. His preferred tools include instruments from Spectrasonics and Native Instruments, offering a wide range of inspiring sounds. "I don't like feeling stale or doing the same thing over and over," Tom adds.

The Sonnox Suite: A Game-Changer

Tom was introduced to Sonnox plug-ins through a friend, and they quickly became indispensable in his production process. "I really liked the Inflator, Dynamics, and EQ," he says.

The Oxford EQ: Musical and Sweet

Tom appreciates the Oxford EQ for its subtle, sweet sound that reminds him of high-end hardware EQs. "When you tweak the high end, it gives you a quality sparkle that feels musical, not just technical," he explains. He uses it universally across his projects, often applying it to the Master Bus to enhance the overall mix.

Oxford Dynamics: Flexibility and Simplicity

Impressed with the Oxford Dynamics, Tom finds it comparable to classic hardware compressors like the LA-2A and Fairchild. "It's one of the most hardware-like compressors I’ve heard," he remarks. The Dynamics plug-in’s flexibility allows Tom to switch on different modules like compressors or limiters as needed. "You can tweak within the same plug-in but also keep it simple with basic controls like Threshold and Output Gain," he says. Tom recently used the Dynamics to achieve a vintage '70s sound on a game score, which he describes as "magical."

The Inflator: Adding Energy Without Compression

Tom uses the Inflator on the stereo mix to add energy and power without compressing the sound. "I don’t use it subtly; I prefer slamming it," he says. The Inflator enhances loudness and dynamics, making it ideal for his high-energy compositions. "It’s an energy enhancer that I rely on in every project."

Looking Ahead

With multiple high-profile game releases on the horizon, Tom Salta continues to push the boundaries of video game music, leveraging his deep understanding of both traditional and cutting-edge tools. Whether scoring a blockbuster game or crafting music for a movie trailer, Tom’s approach remains the same: to create memorable, dynamic soundscapes that elevate the projects he works on.