James Dean

Hello@akauaudio.co.nz

Soundcloud.com

AkauAudio.co.nz

James Lockrey - Chaos Theory Games
Working with James has been fantastic. Whether it's crafting toe-tapping jazz, inventing the haunting sounds of a crab choir, or nailing the perfect ping for a UI button click - JD just gets it. We've thrown all kinds of weird and wonderful audio challenges his way over the years, and he always delivers with skill and style.
Ben Markby - Mighty Eyes
James has been the backbone of our audio team for nearly seven years—and by 'audio team,' we basically mean James! A multi-talented one-man band, he delivered across the board, from music to SFX. His exceptional talent, paired with a solid grasp of technical development, made him indispensable in our productions. An absolute pleasure to work with.
Sam Ramlu - Mad Carnival / Method Studios
JD's a maestro when it comes to sound design - he just gets it. I can trust him to consistently deliver while continuing to surprise and delight. His music hits just the right emotional connection, his SFX are always spot on, and he can sing (!). He's fun, collaborative, and our go-to audio guy.
Sam Barham - Balancing Monkey Games
James is an Audio Magician. Our first game - Before We Leave - won the New Zealand Games Award for Best Sound in 2020 in large part because of his work. He is easy to work with and has no problem taking the reins or collaborating with others.
Bonita Dean - James' Mum
I don't really know what he does. He just seems to play video games?

Crab God

Music Composition and SFX Supervision

Wanderer - Hand Of Fate Minidoc

Music compostion and implementation

How Was Your Day?
Sound design and Music Composition

Wanderer - Astronaut Pin Puzzle

Sound design, music composition, dialogue and implementation

Beyond These Stars

Sound Design and Audio Systems

Wanderer - Playstation Trailer

Sound design, music composition, dialogue and mix

Beyond These Stars

Sound design, dialogue and Tech audio (Unity + Fmod)
Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate

Sound Design, Music compostion and Implementation (UE5 native)
Crab God

Music Composition + SFX Supervision. Nominated AGDA Excellence in Music
How Was Your Day?

Sound Design and Music Composition
Icarus

Sound Design + Implementation (FMOD + UE4)
Before We Leave

Sound Design and Audio Implementation. Won Excellence in Audio NZ Games Awards 2020
Wanderer VR

Sound Design, Voice Casting, Voice Recording, Composition and Implementation (UE4 Native)
Aurory

Sound Design Support
Bustin' - A Toilet Paper Game

Audio lead, sound design and music
Postcards From Aotearoa

Sound design and Music
Oat The Goat

Voice Record, Sound Design, Music Mixing and General Audio Technical. Axis Silver Award for Sound Design and Music
Kangazoo

Sound design and Music
Millenialz

Sound Design & Composition
My Moni

Sound Design for Mobile Money LIteracy App
Armistice Illuminate

Sound Design, Foley and Mix for this projected outdoor event.
A Hole - Short Film

Sound Design, Music Editing and Mix
NZ Police Recruitment Video

Sound Design, ADR and Music Editing
Ani - Short Film

Sound Design, ADR, Music Edit and Mix
Sealord - Be Like A Fish

Sound Design, Music edit and Mix
HPA - Best Mate

Sound Design, Dialogue edit and Mix
A J Hackett - Live More, Fear Less

Sound Design, ADR, Music Edit and Mix