How can I learn more about using Wwise in Unity and pushing through Github?

Question

Hi,

I am a composer and a complete novice at Wwise, Unity, Github and programming in general. I recently graduated from University studying composition and want to start a career as video game composer.

I recently participated in the Global Game Jam 2021 and for the first time, created a new Wwise project and successfully implemented a new dynamic soundtrack into a video game. We haven’t published it yet. It’s been going pretty well, but I’ve had real trouble in using Github and Github LFS to push my changes through to the rest of the team, possibly exacerbated by me being a Mac user and them on Windows.

I think I’ve got it working now. I removed the Wwise project from the Unity folder and changed the soundbank path to go to the streaming assets folder in the Unity project. Wwise sounds seem to be working for the others now.

I’ve scraped by from reading forums, consulting manuals, YouTube videos etc. But every resource I’ve encountered seems to assume a certain level of base knowledge that I simply don’t have. I basically just tinker with things until they work but have no understanding of how or why they work, so feel pretty vulnerable.

What’s the best way to learn the basics? I’ve gone through a fair amount of the AK manuals, which are great but I often find them quite hard to understand. Are there teachers out there that could give me lessons? The other problem is figuring which information I do need to know versus what I don’t need to know. My ultimate goal is to write music for video games so how do I figure out that base level of knowledge required to work with developers?

Apologies for the vague and rambling nature of this question. Just feel a bit lost at the moment so hoping to reach out for some advice.

Best wishes,

Mikey

Answer 1

Hey Mikey, 

Not vague at all. This is a great question! 

Just to make sure, did you try going through the certifications as well? Unless that's what you mean by "AK manuals"? 
Each certification covers its own category of most common features, work methods, etc. Wwise 101 is the fundamentals in Wwise. The 2XX courses (201, 251) are extended knowledge on top of that. And 301 covers the Wwise Unity Integration, but we recommend doing 101 first. 

For your "Are there teachers out there that could give me lessons?" then yes absolutely! Take a look at the Creators Directory page. There you'll find a long list of schools that teach Wwise. 
If you're interested in 1:1 teaching, you could also go to Certified Users, filter by Wwise-135, and have a look for someone in your timezone. Those with a Wwise-135 certification are users who have not only completed the Wwise-101 / Wwise-110 course, but also an Instructor exam which is Audiokinetic's approval of teaching Wwise. 

Let me know if this is helpful.

Comments

Hi Mads,

Thank you so much for your kind and considered response.

I've done the 101, 201 and 251. I didn't realise that the 301 covers the integration so that would be a priority for me I think.

Thanks it's really helpful to know a way of finding teachers. Google searches weren't bringing up much. I feel like I'm at a point where I need to be able to speak to someone directly and ask questions directly in order to progress before I consider taking a course again.

All the best,

Mikey