
Music in service of story — that’s my motto. I create original scores and orchestrations designed to add depth, drama, and emotion to your film, ad, or media project
I am a film composer and orchestrator with a background in arranging and composition from Berklee College of Music. My experience as a professional bassist in theatres, musicals, cruise ships, and studio recordings has given me a deep understanding of performance and collaboration with artists.
I offer original music for film, short films, ads, trailers, and media, as well as professional orchestration and arrangement services.
What I offer:
• 🎬 Original film scoring (short films, trailers, ads, games)
• 🎻 Orchestration & arrangement for any ensemble
• 🎧 High-quality mockups with professional sample libraries
• 🎼 Transcriptions and score preparation
My workflow is collaborative: I listen to your vision, deliver drafts for feedback, and make sure the final score fits seamlessly with your project. My motto is simple: music in service of story
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Interview with Jose A. Betancourt
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I’m especially proud of a short film teaser I composed music for, directed by Venezuelan filmmaker Jackson Gutiérrez. My role was to create the original score, designing orchestration, textures, and dynamics to enhance the story and emotional impact. I handled the full production using high-quality virtual instruments, ensuring the music supported the narrative and mood. It was rewarding to see how the music elevated the project and connected with the audience.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: At the moment, I’m working on composing music for short films and teasers, including orchestral and cinematic pieces. I’m also creating demo tracks for my portfolio to showcase my style and versatility in film and media scoring.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I’m still building my network on SoundBetter, but I pay attention to highly rated composers and producers here. When I find someone whose work aligns with a client’s needs, I would confidently recommend them based on their professionalism, quality, and style.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I primarily work in digital because it allows me to compose, orchestrate, and produce cinematic music efficiently using high-quality virtual instruments and plugins. Digital tools give me flexibility to experiment, refine ideas quickly, and deliver professional results. That said, I would absolutely incorporate analog gear if possible, as it adds warmth, character, and a unique organic quality that digital alone can’t fully replicate.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise to my clients is to deliver high-quality, emotionally engaging music that fully supports their project’s vision. I commit to clear communication, timely delivery, and adapting my work to meet their needs, ensuring a professional and collaborative experience.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I love most about my job is creating music that tells a story and evokes emotions. Being able to translate a director’s vision into sound, to enhance the narrative and connect with audiences, is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Clients often ask about my process, how long it takes to deliver a track, and whether I can match a specific mood or style. I explain that I start by understanding the project and vision, provide a draft for feedback, and then refine the composition to ensure it aligns perfectly with their needs. I also reassure them that I can adapt my style to fit the emotional tone and narrative of the project.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The biggest misconception is that composing music for film or media is just about writing pretty melodies. In reality, it involves storytelling, creating mood, orchestrating, producing, and ensuring the music enhances the narrative and emotional impact of the project.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I usually ask prospective clients about the mood, style, and story of their project, as well as the intended audience and any reference tracks they like. I also ask about deadlines, format requirements, and how they envision the music supporting the visuals or narrative. This ensures I can create a composition that fully meets their needs.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Clearly communicate your vision and style, and be open to collaboration — feedback is key to creating music that truly enhances your project.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 1. A laptop with Logic Pro for composing and producing. 2. Spitfire Audio Originals Orchestra library for cinematic orchestration. 3. A quality audio interface for recording and monitoring. 4. Studio headphones for accurate mixing and sound design. 5. A MIDI keyboard/controller for composing and orchestrating ideas
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been working as a professional musician for several years, starting as a bassist performing in theater productions, musicals, cruise ships, and recording sessions. Alongside performing, I studied music extensively, including a master’s in Arranging and Composition from Berklee College of Music, as well as courses in film scoring. Over time, I transitioned into composing for audiovisual projects, orchestration, and arranging, combining my performance experience with formal training to create cinematic and emotionally engaging music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is cinematic and emotionally driven, blending orchestral and electronic elements to create immersive soundscapes. I focus on storytelling through music, crafting memorable themes and atmospheric textures that enhance the narrative of any project.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with composers like Adele Etheridge Woodson, Alan Silvestri or Hildur Guðnadóttir because of their ability to create deeply emotional and cinematic soundscapes. Their work inspires me to push boundaries in orchestration and storytelling through music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always start by defining the emotional goal of the track. Knowing the mood and story you want to convey helps guide instrumentation, harmony, and dynamics, ensuring every element supports the narrative.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I usually work on cinematic, orchestral, and atmospheric music for film, TV, and media projects. My work often includes emotional scores, thematic motifs, and soundscapes that enhance storytelling and create immersive experiences.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is composing cinematic and emotionally impactful music that enhances storytelling. I excel at creating memorable themes, orchestrating for full ensembles, and producing high-quality tracks that fit the mood and narrative of any film, TV, or media project.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring cinematic storytelling, emotional depth, and professional orchestration to every track, delivering polished music that enhances the mood and narrative of your project.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My typical work process begins with understanding the client’s vision and the project’s needs. I usually start by discussing the mood, style, and timing, then create a draft or mockup of the music. After receiving feedback, I refine the composition, orchestrate it if needed, and produce the final track using high-quality virtual instruments. I ensure regular communication throughout the process so the music aligns perfectly with the client’s expectations.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: “I work from a professional home studio equipped with Logic Pro, high-quality virtual instruments including Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools, Native instruments and additional VST plugins for cinematic scoring. I also use a professional audio interface and monitoring system to ensure accurate sound. This setup allows me to create fully produced, orchestral and cinematic compositions for film, TV, and media projects.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I specialize in composing original music for film, TV, and digital media. My work includes creating cinematic scores, orchestral arrangements, thematic motifs, and atmospheric soundscapes tailored to enhance storytelling. I also provide mockups and fully produced tracks using high-quality virtual instruments, ensuring a professional sound that fits the mood and style of each project.

I was the Composer in this production
- Film ComposerAverage price - $200 per minute
- Composer OrchestralAverage price - $70 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $70 per song
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $400 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- Bass UprightAverage price - $70 per song
- Bass FretlessAverage price - $70 per song
2 free revisions per project. Delivery: short cue 5–7 days, full short film 2–3 weeks. Extra costs may apply for rush delivery, additional revisions, or large orchestral recordings.
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