A collection of all works by Stephen O'Connell.

Stephen O'Connell | Portfolio of Complete Works

Not all music written by Stephen O'Connell is for film, TV, game or other screen media, and not everything fits the loop-based model of library music. However, the enjoyment of creating music is not limited to a specific style or purpose, so for those works that he writes outside of his screen media projects you will find them here.

Stephen O'Connell | Cinematic and Contemporary Works

Stephen O'Connell | Showreel

Created by Stephen O'Connell: "Inspired by Christian’s electric celeste sparkle library video, the idea of creating a swarms/sparkles library with delay pedals came to me a few days later. As one of my favourite effects to muck about with, I had a number of delay pedals at my disposal and I thought it could be cool to try and get the swarms texture to be largely played by these delays instead of plucking the strings. My aim was to create a shimmering wall of guitar plucks that filled the soundscape with a beautiful texture, working well as a background layer with movement and interest. The result… well, I will let you be the judge of that. There were a lot of ups and downs in its creation, moments of joy at the first notes ringing out and stabs of doubt when the combination of notes didn’t seem to be working. Ultimately, I feel that this intriguing idea, while not fulling shaping up how I expected, still produced something interesting and a little inspiring.

Please check out the user guide for some details on the MIDI CC and user controls, or click on the Instrument Info button to check them out. As with many of my instruments, I love the idea of morphing the controls over time to create subtle or dramatic shifts in the texture, so these controls have been scripted into the instrument for ease of use/programming. If you don’t want these controls, just comment out that area or delete that part of the “on controller” section of the script."

Download it for free here: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/kaleidoskye/

Kaleidoskye

Original film score and sound design for Andrew Huang's Spacetime trailer. Available from his website or through The Cue Tube.

Spacetime Title Sequence for Andrew Huang's Mission (2021)

You can hear the dry grass, the scrapping metal and the wind through the rafters in every strike of the performer's bow. 

An intensely detailed and intimate library, Spitfire Alternative Solo Strings provide an amazing experience, creating the expressive uniqueness found in the most unconventional stories of independent cinema. It is a pleasure to hear the scratchy rawness of the samples shining through and the many articulations on offer provide a well rounded tool for many different styles.

Weathered Past (2021)

Demoing my latest library for Pianobook, MelloSaw, this piece took me in quite a different direction than I intended, but I'm pleasantly surprised. While it isn't the retro 80s synth cinematic piece I wanted to demo for this library, it is a great example of how you can use it within your own musical style. It has a lot of flexibility built in. 

DOWNLOAD MELLOSAW FOR FREE: <Link coming soon, awaiting upload to Pianobook>

The MelloSaw Patches used in this demo track include: 

- Distorted pitch bending lead that enters halfway through. 
- Main arpeggiated line throughout the piece. 
- A string synth patch faded in and out in the first half of the piece. 
- A tape brass synth patch in the final stages of the piece. 
- A heavily distorted pitch bending riser and drop at the start and middle of the piece (layered with other elements). 
- A sparkly tape warped and delayed background texture in the first half of the piece, with automation on the tape delay's time and feedback controls. 

Other library uses include: 

- Evolution Sounds: Bowed Cello and Violin
- Strezov Samples: Freya Choir
- Heavyocity: Symphonic Destruction Braams
- Native Instruments: Rise and Hit, Battery, Action Strikes
- Waldorf Synth STVC (Hardware)

Photo Credit: Michael Olsen @mganeolsen via Unsplash

Enigmatic Waves (2022)

Apricity... Feeling the warmth of the sun in winter. How fitting for the feeling and mood of this track. 

The idea of this track was generated using Kaleidoskye, a new sample library I've developed, free on Pianobook. It is a sparkling, swarm library of delayed guitar textures, a great pad and atmospheric tool for media scoring. Check out the link below. 

KALEIDOSKYE: Link pending availability on Pianobook. Will be updated soon. 

Photo: Alain via Unsplash.

Apricity (2022)

The Legend of Vox Machina lives on in a new Amazon Prime series! This is my take on how I would approach writing a main theme to an animated action series like this.

Legends (2022)

You And I As One (2023)

Myths Of The Tigris (2023)

A demo track featuring Berserkr, the new library from Keep Forest that combines punk and folk drums for an epic sound.

Photo by Shahin Khalaji via Unsplash

Fire And Blood (2023)

Radiance (Full Version) (2023)

Legacy (2023)

A Breath Of Life (2024)

Score Relief 2021, hosted by The Cue Tube, provided me with an open slate when scoring to the short animation from Blender Foundation, titled Spring. With such a focus on the dramatic journey this young woman has to go through to drag her land out of winter and into spring, it gave me a chance to explore a more textural score, with a slightly dark and mysterious edge. With all creative decisions entirely down to me, I chose to embody the wonder and mystical nature of the ritual and go down a different path than others may have travelled with their scores.

Apricity (2022)

Stephen O'Connell | Composer