Ryan Knaggs

The story behind the music

I was born in Burbank, California, and started studying piano when I was eight years old. From the beginning I was drawn to music instinctively.

I have perfect pitch, and as a child I often learned music by ear. That process trained my listening and memory early on and gave me a deep connection to how music communicates emotion.

In the early 1980s, my curiosity expanded beyond music into computer programming. As home computers began appearing, I started writing simple video games and exploring how software worked. That interest eventually led to a long career in software engineering. Over time I realised that programming and music share many of the same qualities—structure, logic, creativity, and
problem-solving.

A turning point came in 1993 when I experienced the soundtrack to the video game Myst. Its music showed me how powerful audio could be in shaping atmosphere and storytelling within interactive worlds. From that moment on, I became increasingly interested in writing music for visual media.

In 2011, as digital production tools became more accessible, I began composing more seriously. Encouragement from others in the field convinced me to pursue composition professionally and deepen my training.

I hold a Master of Arts in Professional Media Composition for Film, Television, and Video Games from the University of Chichester in collaboration with ThinkSpace Education. In 2024, I began a Master of Fine Arts in Video Game Music Composition and Sound Design at Arts University Bournemouth, focusing further on audio for games and interactive media.

Ryan Knaggs, composer specialising in dark, dramatic music for film, television, and video games.
Ryan Knaggs, composer specialising in dark, dramatic music for film, television, and video games.

Proud to have worked on

My work today

Today I compose dark, dramatic music for film, television, and video games. I work from my digital studio equipped with Dolby 7.1 surround sound, where I write and produce original scores that combine orchestral composition, sound design, and modern production techniques. My studio supports the full creative process—from composition and orchestration to editing, vocal recording, and immersive audio mixing.

My background in software engineering gives me a technical perspective that complements the creative process. I’m comfortable working at the intersection of music, technology, and interactive media, and I enjoy collaborating closely with directors, producers, and game developers to shape music that supports story, atmosphere, and emotional impact.

Whether a project calls for subtle tension, expansive cinematic scoring, or detailed sound design, I focus on creating music that strengthens the world the audience experiences. If you’re looking for original music, orchestration, or immersive sound design for your project, I’d welcome the opportunity to collaborate.