Scoring & Sound Design for Film & Theater Productions

My musical philosophy is simple: "My role is to serve the story".

Matthew Ulm

Film Composer, Sound Designer & Audio Architect 

Chicago, IL

 

I can serve as the musical backbone and sound architect for your independent film or theater project.  Collaboration is the heart of my process that allows me to construct a custom sonic architecture from initial conception through to the final mix.

Film & Video Scoring

Audio Production /
Custom Sound Design

Theatrical Sound
Design & Foley

I craft custom scores for each production’s needs. Each score should enhance the story, not over power it. It’s role is to help the viewer feel the emotion of that scene, moment, or shot. From concept to final master, everything tracked and mixed in-house.

From standard effects libraries to fully custom Foley, I build the audio world your project calls for — whether that’s a thunderstorm, a crowded bar, or a sound that doesn’t exist yet.

Need a dedicated space to finalize your mix? From dialogue cleanup and ADR to the final stereo or surround mixdown, my control room is optimized for precision editing and collaborative director reviews. Bring your project and let’s finish it together.

I use a variety of live and software instruments for sound design and composition.

The Space :: Richmond House Studios

Built to handle indie budgets without sacrificing premium sonic quality. Richmond House Studios is a multi-room, acoustically treated tracking and mixing environment designed for complete post-production control.

  • Dedicated Isolation Booth: Optimized for pristine voiceover, ADR, and solo instrument tracking.
  • Live Drum Room: A dedicated space for tracking authentic, acoustic percussion.
  • Full-Stack Production: Driven by industry-standard tools (Ableton Live, Native Instruments, Sound Forge Pro) to deliver broadcast-ready stereo mixes.

Whether you need a gritty electronic score, a full rhythm section pocket, or full theatrical Foley production, everything is tracked and mixed here

  • no third-party studios,
  • no handoffs,
  • no surprises!

Clips and Sounds ::

-→ Need to create some sort of reel.  Maybe score another scene from a different movie?

-→ Spotify playlist of sounds from ‘Matthew Ulm” Account

Contact Me ::

Use that WPForms plugin you have to build this.  You will need to setup an email address for the domain.  into@1bluebass.com, or score@1bluebass.com.   Maybe both.  They canbe sent to the 1bluebass@gmail.com account.

Theater & Film Production Resume

Film Scoring & Composition

  • WITNESSES | Composer | Short Film | 2026

THEATRE PERFORMANCES & PIT ORCHESTRA

  • WIFE MATERIAL | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company | 2019
  • PROXY | Pit Orchestra | Underscore Theatre Company / Stephanie Rohr | 2019
  • TONYA AND NANCY: THE ROCK OPERA | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (at Chopin Theatre) | 2017
  • THE STORY OF A STORY: THE UNTOLD STORY | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (at Chopin Theatre) | 2016
  • THE GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company | 2015
  • THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (at Chopin Theatre) | 2014
  • FIRE: THE CHILDREN OF THE 1% | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company | Dir. Alex Higgin-Houser | 2014
  • PR0NE: THE CASTING COUCH MUSICAL COMEDY | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (at Chicago Dramatists) | 2014
  • THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (at Chopin Theatre) | Dir. Alex Higgin-Houser | 2013
  • LIBERAL ARTS: THE MUSICAL | Bass Player | Underscore Theatre Company (Second Stage) | Dir. Alex Higgin-Houser | 2013
  • KIWI BLACK | Composer / On-Stage Musician & Actor | Columbia College Chicago (at DCA Storefront) | Dir. Chuck Smith | 2001

THEATRICAL SOUND DESIGN & FOLEY

  • PLAYBOY OF THE WEST INDIES | Sound Designer | Congo Square Theatre (at Chicago Dramatists) | Dir. Chuck Smith | 2003
  • THE MOUSETRAP | Sound Designer | The Theatre Building Chicago (Belmont) | c. 2002
  • A SOLDIER’S PLAY | Sound Designer | Congo Square Theatre (at The Theatre Building) | Dir. Chuck Smith | 2002
  • TOASTING GEORGE | Foley Artist & Sound Designer | Strawdog Theatre Company | Dir. James Zoccoli | 2001
  • KIWI BLACK | Sound Designer | Columbia College Chicago (at DCA Storefront) | Dir. Chuck Smith | 2001