Kai Hartwig

Kai J. Hartwig is a composer for epic music mostly used in Trailer, Teaser, Computergames and Motion Picture Advertising. He was born and is located in Germany.

I was classically trained for about five years starting playing the Piano at the early age of nine. During the years I have played in several orchestras but very soon it was ovious to me that I did not have interest to play music already existing. My private teacher was not amused about that I can tell you.

Nevertheless it was clear for me that the hard training times where over and I started to look around how I could express myself with my own music further. As I always had a natural affinity to computers I discovered that they are capable to create nice music. So I started my first compositions on the Amiga 500 with a Tracker Software. But that also feels not right to me (too much numbers too less musical components).

The discovery of the first virtual orchestra library running on a software called Gigastudio was the answer to my questions – “great musical possibilities with a great sound at my fingertips”. The first first orchestral libraries was fast purchased and this was really the time where I could started to become a composer.

As I best learn by doing, the learning process of scoring and composing for a virtual orchestra was swift and smooth. Different articles from known composers like Hans Zimmer or Bill Brown and Jeremy Soule was devoured via Internet by me as well as all available literature about this (at that time) brand new topic.

The years did pass and I build up my skills step by step. Doing my first commercial jobs for computergame companies (ranging from PC Productions to Gameboy Games). Also I did my first compositions for Trailers and Shortfilms (like The Hunt, Code Guardian). Until today I have found my passion and that´s epic music – my most favoured niche.

The software and the libraries did get much better and more easy to use. Until today the soundquality of the available libraries is unbelievable and can compete with the big productions from Hollywood. Also known film composers like Danny Elfman, Jason Graves and much more are using the available standard music libraries in their works such as those from Project Sam and EastWest and I do too.

As time passed by I was able to establish a download shop for my music called Hartwigmedia. As I always did not agree to the view of some distribution companies to maximise their profits by selling unfair and overpriced licenses for poor music to their customers, I did take another approach for my music.

Developing a fair license model and sell my music for a good price that everyone can afford no matter if a newcomer to the filmscene or a professional production studio. This was only possible because I never became a member of a performing rights society like GEMA or ASCAP. And I will never be! This puts me also in the position to give away my music for totally free for non-commercial productions! Why? Because I think every production has the right to use professional music especially private productions that don´t want to break the law by using not licensed music.

For international distribution (and to get a more handy name) I also founded the Soundcritters Label for Motion Picture Advertising which is featured on the biggest sites for Trailermusic until today.

So I am happy at the end and feel  free. Free to compose whatever I want without the boundaries or limitations of a publishing company biting in my neck. With my loved wife and my beautiful son I will face the future and hopefully compose many epic and emotional music for your next productions.

Kind Regards