Some examples of my sound design projects! Please wear headphones for the full effect.
A brief reel of some of video game sound design projects, including re-imaginations of SFX in various existing games, Wwise integration in Unreal Engine 4 and Unity, and using the acoustic guitar as a source for all SFX. It also contains footage from “Farmer’s Marcat”, an upcoming farming game where I am doing all programming, art, and sound.
Merlin
Merlin is a wavetable synthesizer that has been a passion project for the past couple of years. Merlin allows for custom wavetables, MPE, an impressive mod matrix, and up to four oscillators, envelopes, and LFOs.
The built-in wavetables include simple waves such as sine waves and more complex ones, which come in the form of .wav files created in MAX/MSP. There are a multitude of simple waveforms for the LFOs to pick from, and the filter is a ladder filter modeled after classic hardware synth algorithms. Each oscillator can have up to 8 voices, which can be detuned and panned around a stereo spread.
Currently, I am working on adding elements of randomization and granular synthesis. Right now, the randomize button randomizes every parameter for craziness. Check it out here!
Plumverb
A free convolution reverb audio plugin - it allows the user to use convolve their input signal with any impulse response they have or using the pre-packaged IRs that come with Plumverb. More will be added as I record them!
This plugin using a non-uniform convolution algorithm, allowing for larger convolution sizes while still remaining latency free. It also includes the ability to reverse the IR, adjust the length and size, and includes three filters: a low-shelf, peak, and high-shelf filter.
Introducing... MooseScratch!
A brand new audio plugin developed by myself in C++ using the JUCE framework, this versatile effect traverses a strange zone between a modulating delay and a glitched-skittering looper. MooseScratch was designed for performers trying to interject randomized loops into their sound, as well as producers and sound designers looking for methods to create wild / out samples and sound effects.
This is still an early version, with many more sonic options to be added shortly. Please inquire at matthewokun@gmail.com if interested in trying out this brand new effect!
Graphical elements created by Rachel Ellis.
“Sight, Sound, and Strength”
This “silent disco” installation was commissioned by the Usher Syndrome Society and their “Sight, Sound, and Strength” events. Usher Syndrome (USH) is a rare genetic condition that causes hearing and vision loss, sometimes leading to complete deafness and blindness. I developed an interactive experience, using Max/MSP, Ableton Live, FM headphones, and a receiver, to simulate the effects of hearing loss and how it effects music.
In order to understand how to best represent this, I worked closely with people who have USH, and did extensive research to determine what constitutes different levels of hearing loss.
catsR_people2.com is a computer music piece for Cat + Computer (Max/MSP/Jitter + Ableton)
There was no retroactive scoring for this: all audio was generated in real-time using motion tracking (the CV external library for Max) in Jitter to control an Ableton synth and various samples and procedures. All cat sounds came from the cat, Moose.
A quick and simple generative Max patch I put together for a brief lecture I gave for a "History of Improvisation in Music Class” at the New England Conservatory about the role of computers and technology in improvised music.
This was an example I made of a non-interactive computer improvised patch- there are no real-time inputs from a human besides pressing play.
Original Music & Production
beside me here
Jazz-tinged indie pop, written by the singular songwriter Jolee Gordon. I play guitar on all the songs, as well as bass and pedal steel on a few.
Verisimilar
Solo live album of experimental songwriting, featuring electronics, guitar, and voice. Verisimilar aims to obscure the separation between the acoustic and the electronic.
Outlive the Sun
Epic, Boston-based compilation raising money for Cosecha, going directly to undocumented immigrants currently facing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 virus.
Horse Pony
Bombastic, experimental punk music. Loud and abrasive, but fun and will make you dance. Hold on tight for a crazy journey exploring many different atmospheres and worlds.
BRD BRD
A collage of improvised, experimental solo guitar music, using custom-developed software designed by myself. Every sound is completely live and generative.
Home for the Summer
A folk album by Elise Leavy, featuring the tenor guitar and accordion. Completely recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by myself.
Okun/Morris Guitar Duos
An everything-but-the-kitchen-sink fully improvised guitar duo record. Ventures out to somewhere else completely, but weaves a traceable web to lead the way back.
Ceramic Words
Debut songwriting album, featuring detailed arrangements for a multitude of performers and instruments. Entirely self-recorded, and explores a variety of styles.
Woodward
An album by Thomas Davis of piano songs and improvisations, mastered by myself. WOODWARD is a luscious, detailed, and intimate collection of art songs.
This piece was composed as an alternate soundtrack for the film “Diva,” directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix. mo.metro_Count was written as a dream-like substitute for an iconic chase scene, using a descent into the subway as a drop into a surreal subversion of typical chase scene music. It features a traditional Japanese Koto, working in tandem with a digital synthesizer + sequencer created by myself to reflect themes from the original score
Composed for an ensemble consisting of koto, custom developed Max synthesizer, bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, electric guitar, nylon string guitar, violin, viola, and four voices.
Original music composed for specific video games, showcasing three different styles:0:00 A swelling, cinematic style, fit for scoring cutscenes and non-gamep...
Different musical concepts and explorations for various types of video game music.
Matthew Okun is a thoughtful and adventurous guitarist, composer, and audio software engineer. As someone who practices many different disciplines and explores a variety of mediums within sound and music, Matthew aims to synthesize his diverse interests into a cohesive practice.
An active freelance performer, Matthew has played all over the United States in many styles, from big band jazz at the Newport Jazz Festival and pop music at Philadelphia’s Kung Fu Necktie, all the way to free improvisation at the Stone in NYC and folk music in Boston’s Symphony Hall. He has performed not only as a guitarist, but as a vocalist, bassist, and drummer as well.
Beyond performance, Matthew is an experienced recording artist, engineer, and producer. He has played on many recording projects, such as playing electric bass with the band Bird.Bird at Ghost Hit studios in Holyoke, MA and jazz guitar with Tiny Circus in Peabody MA. Matthew has produced and recorded several albums, including Elise Leavy’s Home for the Summer, Margarine’s Sleepover Songs, and his own solo songwriting and guitar projects, Ceramic Words, Verisimilar, and BRD BRD. He mastered the piano-based songwriter album Woodward by Thomas Davis, and mixed the improvised album Duo Impromptu Vol. 1 by Jonathan Bousquet and Matthew Okun.
As an audio software developer, Matthew created a “silent disco” installation for the Usher Syndrome Society, which involved creating custom software using C++/Max to simulate the effects of Usher Syndrome. His largest project has been the development of a software synthesizer called “Merlin”, which has been in development for a couple of years. He also regularly creates custom audio plugins, primarily using the JUCE framework for C++. He is currently developing a mobile rhythm game, and cute farming game as well.
In addition to extensive experience as a private lesson teacher, Matthew taught his own curriculum at the esteemed Charles River Creative Arts Program. Throughout the years, he taught Beyonce cover bands, guitar workshops, and sound art. He spearheaded a contemporary program through Boston Public School’s Summer Early Focus Program, where he taught summer school students how to express themselves through creating beats and electronic music on iPads. He also teaches at the Plugged In Band Program, where he has spearheaded music technology and composition programs, as well as international exchange programs with Moroccan and Lebanese students. He also teaches at the esteemed West Los Angeles School of Rock, where he directs shows of student performers.
Matthew received a Bachelor’s degree in guitar performance in New England Conservatory’s Contemporary Improvisation department, where he studied privately with Carla Kilhstedt, Anthony Coleman, and Joe Morris.
Matthew is currently located in Los Angeles, CA, with his cats Roman and Hummus.
