Meet Markel Badallo Latorre | Audio Engineer & Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Markel Badallo Latorre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Markel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Deciding to follow an unorthodox career like music or art is always a risk, but I would say that trying to create a business on an industry that is still under development and constant change, like the video game industry, is even more adventurous. Sometimes it feels like walking through an unexplored jungle.

However, I couldn’t be happier about taking this path. It might be risky and scary, but it is better than regretting not doing it, or having a job that you hate and doesn’t make you grow.
I also took a huge risk coming to the America, being the first member of my family emigrating, but it was worth it, so I think you have to be brave and follow your dreams.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So, the aim of my project is to find a new way to produce audio in video games and at the time converging it with the commercial record industry. The lines between all the sectors of entertainment are getting blurry and I want to be a part of that new future.

I am very excited about this project because Audio has always been forgotten in the game industry, specially in indie projects, and you can notice that even in greatly successful tittles, the quality of Audio & music production is poorly done. Our goal is to change that, and thanks to technology and our experience in all the steps of audio production: Sound Design, Music, Integration… we aim to get that AAA level of quality in smaller projects.
Audio production is a very detailed craft, you need to really know about it, and it can be very frustrating, so giving the developers the chance of forgetting about it, so they can focus on the rest of the parts of their game where they are experts on, is always appreciated, and the result is better.

To my way of thinking, the process of realizing what I wanted to do was pretty organic. I have been studying music since I was a little kid and I have been playing video games all my life. But the moment when everything clicked, was when I started the engineering degree. I noticed that, by getting proficient in some technical areas, like: music production, sound design, synthesis, integration or programming and then fusing it will my music knowledge, I could get a very interesting skill set. What ones was a dream, could become true.

It is being a long journey since I started, and I am aware that this is just the beginning, but some years ago when I was back in Spain, dreaming about being where I am now, with the tools that I have and working with such talented and amazing people, was unthinkable. That is why I am very excited about what is about to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA is huge, and I am new to the city, I have been living in Boston for the last 4 years and I recently moved here, so I am not an expert. But, one thing that I like about it, is the contrast between nature and the metropolis. If one of my Spaniard friends come to visit, first, I would take them to all the classic spots, like: the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Venice Beach… but then I would try to visit some places that would be exotic for them like the Death Valley.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, shootout to my family. As an artist is really appreciate all the support and love that they have given me since I was a little kid, and it is because of them that now I am who I am. A lot of people doesn’t get this kind of support and their artistic careers get frustrated.

In addition, shootout to Nacho Larraza, my partner in crime since the first day I landed in this country; we walked this path together and to Pedro Osuna, one of the most talented individuals I know, that has always supported me and that is as crazy as I am to join me in this entrepreneurial venture.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marklcoyotl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markel-badallo-latorre-1523a7152/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkLCoyotL

Image Credits
Drew Peterson