Jack Menhorn

Sound Designer

Jack Menhorn is Sound Designer for video games. Also Editor in Chief at DesigningSound.org and a panelist on Game Audio Hour

 

Jack Menhorn
www.linkedin.com/in/Jackmenhorn
Monroe, WA
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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Versatile Audio Professional with over a decade of experience delivering high-fidelity soundscapes for both AAA and indie titles. A rare blend of leadership maturity and technical agility, having operated as both a Department Head and Principal IC. Expert in bridging the gap between aesthetic vision and technical implementation within complex game audio pipelines.


TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Middleware: Wwise, FMOD Studio

  • Engines: Unreal Engine 4 & 5, Unity

  • DAWs & Tools: Reaper, Ableton Live, Adobe Audition, iZotope RX, Pro Tools, Logic

  • Version Control: Perforce, Git

  • Programming/Scripting: Python (Code Academy Certified), LUA


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Undead Labs LLC | Principal Sound Designer | 2022 – Present

Project: State of Decay 3


  • Lead the sound design and technical implementation for core combat systems, including firearms, melee weapons, impacts, and creature (freak) vocalizations.

  • Architected haptics and rumble design to enhance tactile player immersion.

  • Manage and maintain the project’s Triton Acoustics integration, overseeing occlusion/obstruction, reverb, and portaling technology.

  • Serve as a technical consultant for sound and haptics on unreleased Microsoft hardware.


Formosa Interactive Seattle | Audio Lead | 2021 – 2021

Project: Towerborne


  • Established the audio foundation as Department Lead, creating comprehensive sound design guidelines and style guides.

  • Supervised music systems and implementation in collaboration with the project’s composer to ensure cohesive audio branding.



Obsidian Entertainment | Lead Audio Designer | 2020 – 2021

Project: Avowed


  • Provided leadership and high-level sound design direction for the title's 3 audio outsource contractors.



V1 Interactive | Lead Sound Designer | 2017 – 2020

Project: Disintegration


  • Exercised Audio Director level responsibilities, designing and implementing approximately 90% of all in-game sound effects.

  • Developed dynamic combat and story chatter systems; managed voice processing and VO pipelines.

  • Managed internal and external contractors for music, VO, and SFX to ensure quality and milestone delivery.

  • Directed the final mixing and design for story cinematics.



Boss Key Productions | Senior Sound Designer | 2015 – 2017

Project: LawBreakers


  • Executed technical sound design utilizing Unreal Engine 4 and Wwise for PC and PS4 platforms.

  • Additional weapon, foley, and music sound design.




Freelance Sound Designer | 2007 – Present

Collaborated on over 25 titles across iOS, PC, and Console.


  • Draw Steel Codex (MCDM Productions): Designing sound and implementing audio features for virtual tabletop application.

  • Warlord: Awaji (Darkmatter Games): Designing sound and implementing audio features.

  • Nova-111 (Funktronic Labs): Composed all music and handled full implementation in FMOD Studio. Selected for PAX 10, Indie Megabooth, and Indiecade.

  • Oddworld New ’n Tasty (Just Add Water): Designed creature voices (Elum/Slog) and processed celebrity voice talent.

  • Leap Motion: Developed music and sound design for various VR and motion control projects (Orion VR, Blocks VR).

  • Star Trek Rivals / Robots Need Love Too (Elephant Mouse): Provided high-quality sound design and editing for mobile platforms.


AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

G.A.N.G. Awards: Nominated for Best Handheld Audio and Best Indie Audio (Nova-111)

VGMO Awards: Nominated for Independent Composer of the Year (2015)

G.A.N.G. Awards: Nominated for Best Handheld Audio (Ravensword: Shadowlands, 2013)



EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Composition | Greensboro College, Greensboro, NC


Robots.