The Art of Finding Music in the Mundane
Petri Alanko, the composer behind the evocative soundtrack for Control Resonant, has provided insight into his creative workflow, emphasizing that the most compelling audio often stems from unconventional sources. Rather than relying on traditional studio settings, Alanko frequently captures ambient noises using his iPhone, a compact field recorder, or even a basic dictaphone.
According to Alanko, this habit of recording "a lot of stuff on a daily basis" is a core part of his process. He later reviews these captures, transforming raw, everyday sounds into the harmonies, rhythms, and melodies that define the game's atmosphere. "The weirder, the better," he noted, adding that in his creative world, there is no such thing as a sound that is too bizarre to be utilized.
Philosophy Over Prescriptive Rules
Having collaborated with Remedy Entertainment for years, including work on the original Control and Alan Wake 2, Alanko possesses a deep understanding of the studio's stylistic needs. He clarified that Remedy does not adhere to a rigid "audio bible" or a set of technical guidelines. Instead, their collaboration relies on what he calls "silent knowledge."
"With Remedy, it's about philosophy and the emotional layer," Alanko explained. He believes that the process is highly intuitive: "If it feels right, it is right. I rely on intuition and let it kick my ass with inspiration." He acknowledges that the creative journey is meticulous and often involves trial and error, where individual "misses" are refined until they harmonize with the broader vision of the game.
The Beauty of Flawed Audio
A fascinating aspect of Alanko's technique is his embrace of low-quality recordings. He famously suggests, «the worse the recording is, the better the outcome.» By deliberately using imperfect audio or manipulating sounds through extreme time-stretching and pitch-shifting, he uncovers hidden textures that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The composer describes a rigorous post-production phase where he uses specialized software to extract usable elements from flawed files. He then organizes these into groups—percussive, tonal, and atonal—allowing him to assemble custom instruments playable via a synthesizer keyboard. It is during this final synthesis that the auditory experience truly aligns with the visual presentation of the game, creating that "lightbulb moment" where the musical direction becomes clear.
Control Resonant is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.