The Composer Guide.
Embark on your musical journey with the ultimate starting point for composers.Discover a wealth of resources, including free libraries, training footage, tutorials, and a treasure trove of other valuable goodies. Your path to creating beautiful compositions begins here.
Events
Active events.
Coming soon...
If you want to stay updated with our latest competitions, giveaways, etc.Be sure to follow @rubenofficialmusic
Past events.
The anti-piracy movement
In response to a recent conversation about piracy and access, I’m launching an initiative to support talented composers—especially those in developing countries—by partnering with companies to give away professional libraries legally. Each month, one winner will receive a paid library in exchange for scoring a provided video clip.No shortcuts. No handouts. Just a real chance to grow your sound and your career.Full story, context, more information in the tag!
Score the universe
Launched in collaboration with Melodysheep, this competition invited composers to score an emotional, cinematic video clip with complete creative freedom. With over €3,000 in prizes and support from top industry partners, it welcomed entries from all experience levels—encouraging bold, original storytelling through music.Judging is now underway, with winners to be announced at the end of August.
About us
The creators.
The Composer Guide was started by Ruben Camacho, a composer from Costa Rica who now moves between Europe and Central America. He created it to solve a real problem—too many young composers spend hours digging through scattered resources, lost in a world that often feels gatekept and overwhelming.The Composer Guide changes that. It’s here to make things easier, clearer, and more accessible—so you can focus on making music, not endlessly searching for where to begin.In 2025, Carson Zuck joined the team to help grow the vision and take the project to the next level. Exciting things are on the way.
Support us.
Currently, The Composer Guide is run by just two team members—Ruben and Carson. As you can imagine, maintaining a platform like this comes with significant costs. While we're passionate about what we do and are committed to keeping it going, any support along the way is deeply appreciated.As a token of our gratitude, all supporters will soon be featured on our upcoming Supporters Wall!And to say thank you in style, every supporter will receive a high-quality heavyweight tee—so you can rep the TCG team with pride!
Resources
Sample libraries
Explore our handpicked collection of free sample libraries, crafted by some of the most talented sample library developers in the world.If you notice a broken link, incorrect information, or have a library you'd like to submit, feel free to reach out via Instagram: @rubenofficialmusic
Foley
SFX Plugins
Piano
Synths & Textures
Misc
Strings
Woodwinds
Atonal Percussion
Tonal Percussion
Drums
Guitars
Orchestra
Choir
Harp
Brass
Organ
knowledge of the month
knowledge of the month
An amazing youtuber by the name of Camus goes nuts with Serum 2
Tutorials
Orchestral programming
How To Write Music When You've Got Writer's BlockWriter's Block Sucks (But You Can Fix It Pretty Easy)Never suffer WRITER'S BLOCK again!How to END writers block for music composersBeat Writer's Block and Write Fast (Easiest Method)HOLLYWOOD Composer explains how he destroyed WRITER'S BLOCKCREATIVITY: How to Deal with Writer's Block
How to make money as a composer
Ways To Make Money As A ComposerComposer Chat: Can You Make a Living as a Composer?How To Earn Money Making Music57 ways to earn money in the music industryHow Much to Charge as a Media Composer3 Steps to Get Your First Job as a Video Game Music ComposerHow to Make Money as a Composer (Easy Ways to Start)How To Find Custom Scoring Gigs As A Freelance Composer
Composers composing
Creating inspiring cue's within minutes - Spitfire AudioAvin a look at Hammers by Spitfire Audio - Daniel JamesThe Crystal Castle - Pacific Strings DAWcast - BlakusWriting Film Music in 20 Minutes - Dan Keen
Orchestral programming
Orchestration Basics: The Instrument FamiliesThe Key to Realistic-Sounding Performances: ArticulationsIMPORTANT Orchestral Programming TipsOrchestration Hacks (5 Quick Tips)MORE Orchestration Hacks (5 Quick Tips)EVEN MORE Orchestration Hacks (5 Quick Tips)
Music production
The Complete Guide To Master SerumTutorials about film musicScoring To Picture: Day OneLearn music theory in half an hour
Communities
The Society of Composers
and Lyricists (SCL)
The Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) is the premier community for professionals in film, TV, video games, and musical theatre, with a distinguished 76-year history. As a hub for industry collaboration, SCL offers valuable insights into the creative, financial, and technical aspects of music composition. Committed to improving working conditions, SCL actively engages with global leaders in the field. Whether you're an industry veteran or emerging talent, join SCL to connect, grow, and contribute to the evolving landscape of music composition for visual media.
Composers Diversity Collective
The Composers Diversity Collective is a community that has formed with the goal of addressing the industry's challenges in locating culturally diverse music creators, music supervisors, sound engineers, and musicians.
Their primary objectives include increasing the collective awareness among its members, fostering connections between professionals, and working towards dispelling misconceptions surrounding the stylistic range of minority composers.
Cascadia Composers
Based in Oregon, Cascadia Composers is the largest local chapter of the National Association of Composers USA, uniting over 100 members across genres—from chamber and jazz to film, game, and world music. Known for its inclusive, vibrant community, the organization champions diversity and supports new music through high-quality concerts, collaborations, and resources for professionals, educators, and students alike.
The Ivors Academy
The Ivors Academy stands as the professional association for songwriters and composers in the UK.
It represents a diverse community of highly skilled songwriters and composers across various musical styles. Their collective efforts play a crucial role in shaping the musical landscape around them.
Opia Community
A travelling festival series, a record label and a community hub made up of creators, thinkers, art lovers and everything in-between.
Built around an idea by artist Ă“lafur Arnalds, creating platforms and spaces that bring people together, inspiring curious people through creativity and collaboration.
Alliance for Women Film
Composers (AWFC)
The Association of Women Film Composers (AWFC): a dedicated community supporting and celebrating the work of women composers in film, TV, video games, and multimedia projects. Their commitment to advocacy and education aims to increase visibility and equality within the industry.
Proudly hosting the industry's inaugural directory of women film composers, the AWFC provides filmmakers and decision-makers a unique platform to discover and collaborate with fresh talent. Join this movement that champions diversity, amplifies voices, and contributes to a more inclusive landscape in the world of composition. The AWFC is an ally in advancing the collective impact of women in the realm of film and media.
American Composers Forum
The American Composers Forum (ACF) envisions a world where living music creators are celebrated and essential to human culture.
As catalysts in a vibrant ecosystem, ACF connects composers, artists, advocates, and audiences to support and promote contemporary music.
They actively foster equitable opportunities, providing direct funding, mentorship, and emphasizing inclusivity across various identities and perspectives, guided by core values such as Leadership, Anti-Racism, Courage, Support, and Curiosity.
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