Based in Canada, Don Garbutt is a master of Electronic/Orchestral hybrid tracks with pounding rhythms, high-tech tones, and fat cinematic sound production. His clients include the History Channel, TSN, Nat Geo, Vision TV, CBC, Military Channel, and BBC. A synthesis expert, Don has worked with legends like David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Chubby Checker, Oscar Peterson, and Procol Harum, and he is Head of Electronic Music at the Harris Institute for the Arts.
Melodic strings warm the heart, with a positive, uplifting vibe. Garbutt's typical large orchestral sound makes this ideal for celebration, voice-over, elation mood and victory. Flowing strings and swirling orchestration are supplemented with powerful percussion and a great finale. Ideal for docs. Instrumental, Military, Victory
Ominous drums conjuring up a European campaign lead into rich orchestral density. This dark mood is battle music, epic combat with deadly consequences. Climactic and sonically rich, this track would suit Military production or even video game battle music. Strings, horns, timpani are driving hard. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
This is a stirring celebration of the heroes, with Elgar-like Pomp and Circumstance-style elegance. Trumpets lead the anthem, with a rousing key change leading to a victory statement at the end. The war is over, the good guys win, and all is well. Great for film or documentary about battle. Instrumental, Military, Victory
Swelling orchestra blast leads into a driving bass, percussion and orchestra sequence. Strings are intense and horns are dissonant and dynamic. Waves of energy roll as epic heroic pressure comes to a strong conclusion. The battle is on, and this energetic track propels you into the engagement. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Pulsing bass drives a sound-design-infested dark metal groove. Percussion is chunky and rugged, with panoramic fx and creepy drone tones. This is both military hard-core and organic. Energy pushes even harder at the mid-point, as the ambience and rhythm step it up. Great track for epic game play. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
This is a retro-sounding groove reminiscent of Jean-Jacques Perrey or Kraftwerk. Drum machine and analog sweeps add vintage color to the early '70s robot vibe. Gliding choir gives this a campy sci-fi feel. Relentless groove is good for driving games. Great for science/tech documentary. Instrumental, Science Fiction, Space Disco
Ominous sound design introduction leads to powerful drums and horns in Gladiator-style. Powerfully organic sounds transition to orchestra swells and climax with timpani and cymbals. Ideal for setting a mood of danger and anticipation. Great for documentaries or video game scene introduction. Instrumental, Military, Electronica
This is a moody buildup, orchestral with percussion. Full of looming uncertainty, tension is in the air, and things do not look good. Strings add worrisome intensity, with a dark, minor tone, ideal for a bleak look at the future. Instrumental, Military, Battle Prep Electronic
Marching to battle, this is a serious snare and bass drum track, which could also be useful for presenting arms, parade movement, or a short segue-way for voice-over. This is typical military fare, with nice stickmanship on snares and field drums. Stereo ambience is cinematic. Instrumental, Military, War Preparations
Intense orchestration with pounding drums and a slight high-tech edge, this track suits action scenes for film, TV or gaming. Organic percussion, tilted harmonies, ghostly piano, sweeping effects and a mounting string tension lead into bombastic orchestral punch. Driving rhythm and synth bass rock. Instrumental, Action, Intense Electro-Orch
Marching percussion lead into a stirring string and brass melody. Hints of Eastern Europe and a slight Bolero feeling colour this epic, determined composition. Full orchestral gongs, timpani, bass drums, cymbals, snares and toms make up the large percussion section. This is chilling and large. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
A spooky ambient track with a touch of bass trombones, this track builds suspense with a sound design quality and low bowed basses. Haunting bells and minor chords are darkly ominous. Good for video game scene transition or as underscore to dialogue. Mysterious, dangerous and tense! Instrumental, Dangerous, Dark Music
Strong brass, punchy electronics, driving percussion and rich orchestral strings are components of Garbutt's musical palette. This music evokes scenes of perilous adventure and gripping intrigue. Production depth and virtuosic performances show great scope of composition and quality sound design. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Sneaky, pulsing bass propels this track of ominous, dark tones. Sound design and stereophonic imagery make this a great ambience for gaming, investigation, stalking or war planning. Intermittent piano riffs flit throughout the spacious background. The droning mood elevates worry and distress. Instrumental, Dangerous, Apprehensive Music
Beginning with light processed ethnic action, this track morphs into a beautiful drone with string orchestra and piano melody. A brief musical interlude, the percussion is organic, and the mood is mysterious. You have descended into the valley, and the journey continues. Instrumental, Dangerous, Apprehensive Music
Spooky intro leads to a tense mood of strings and running bass notes. This is dark and foreboding, with horns and orchestra. Mysterious droplets of piano are echoed in the string melody, and hints of power lurk in the brass. Chord clusters evoke a stressful worrisome feeling. Great for underscore. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Scary vibes underly this droning soundscape. Hints of bells float through an electronic ambience, punctuated by a mean concert bass drum, contrasted by a recurring theme melody on harp. This orchestral mood is perfect for game stalking, worry, stress, foreboding and sinister lurking tension. Instrumental, Dangerous, Apprehensive Music
Creepy electronic tones hint of dark, futuristic drama, with an element of stress and motion. The percussion is grooving, but the squeeks and squawks are mysterious and alien. Bass pulsates throughout, and the space is cybernetic and full of imagery. This rhythmic mayhem would suit CSI or game play. Instrumental, Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Action Moderate
Float into space with this relaxing sound-scape. Electronic and organic textures stretch to infinity in this time-stopping dream of beauty and majesty. Hints of voice and bells color this perfect cosmic adventure. This is perfect for space, meditation or undersea film/docs and game ambience. Instrumental, New Age, Atmospheres
The skies have cleared, and the sun is shining strongly. Success has been achieved, and joyful celebration will begin. Strings are strong, and brass is noble and heroic. This track is well-suited for dramatic conclusion, military battle aftermath, warm and comforting. Perfect for episode conclusion. Instrumental, Military, Victory
This is a tense, energized, yet worrisome percussion/drone piece which would suit any military battle scene, chase sequence or action situation. Drums are relentless, and the overall feel is organic and firm. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Investigative drama, this is a moving groove with percussion and upright bass. It works well for discussion underscore, pensive moods, stalking, working through a problem, or even Reality TV background music. With bass, percussion and drone, this piece is minimal, yet thought-provoking. Instrumental, Dangerous, Dark Music
Heroes are home, battle is over and the day is done. This is peaceful, mellow, but melancholy, with a reference to the troops in the end phrase. Piano takes us along for a rich bath of sonic wonder, with orchestra hints hovering in the background. Great for softness, sweetness and heart. Instrumental, Military, Victory
This track has the ominous low bass tones of a pulsing synth, accompanied by industrial metallic clinks and clanks. Large drums add the feeling of power, relentlessness and a no-turning-back situation. Creepy low strings and horns give the gravity of the track, excellent for docs or game darkness. Instrumental, Military, Battle Prep Electronic
This is dramatic Orchestral theme music. Electronic tension mood leads to a triumphant melody, energized by a relentless string pattern. Strings then take the lead and hand off to horns with a touch of sadness, then a triumphant return to the main theme. This is deal for action, battle and pride. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Percussion, heroic horns and strings introduce a tense mood which hangs with anticipation. This would make a good underscore for talking heads or panoramic scene shots. The mood is dark and foreboding. Instrumental, Military, Battle Prep Electronic
Emotional strings relate victory, but undertones of tragedy persist. Rich, anthemic nobility leads to a dark conclusion. Rich orchestration includes percussion, strings, horns and powerful dynamics. A dramatic key change leads through a processional celebration, notwithstanding the cost of war. Instrumental, Military, Victory
A stately, stirring theme is played on horns, with a warm feeling of weariness, conclusive victory and heart. The drums convey Zimmer-esque organic power. Noble and heroic yet tragic, this track has rich, emotional expression, with hints of choir supporting the large orchestral density. Instrumental, Military, Victory
This track suits a scene of finality, with noble and heroic imagery. Rich orchestration tells a tale of majesty with horns, strings and choir. A dash of piano adds melancholy and subtlety, a lovely punctuation to a rich, flowing track. War is over, but casualties have been high. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Triumphant and stirring, this is heroic gallant success music. Horns are regal and strong, with string ambiance providing an ethereal backdrop. This would accompany the return of the war heroes, bold and rich with heart. Instrumental, Military, Victory
Bass drives a thick orchestral density, with twists and turns ideal for dramatic battle sequences. Strings and organic percussion push to a climax in this cinematic battle track. Key changes add further tension and strings drive to the conclusion. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
This punchy power-track is ideal for action sequences, whether sports, military, car chase or high-speed adventure. Grooving drums, chunky guitar, relentless energy are features of this track. This track begins with swooping guitars, tense cellos and cinematic largesse rock-orchestral power. Instrumental, Sports, Extreme Sports Music
Relentless driving bass and powerful guitar support this energized track which has a Pink Floyd feeling. Great for action adventure, it has a dark, complex character which incorporates contemporary sounds and orchestral density. This would be well suited for chase, action, battle and aggression. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Hard metallic percussion sounds with a pounding rhythm lead to a full-bodied action scene with soaring majesty. Driving bass and panning fx make this cinematic track ideal for a battle documentary, running sequence or dramatic groove. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Take a trip to a distant galaxy with this dreamy electronic vision. Blissful floating chords slowly ease through wonderful transitions to a beautiful conclusion. This is ideal for astrophotography, space animation, Hubble images or video game background texture. Vangelis-inspired electronics sizzle. Instrumental, New Age, Space Music
This track conjures up a bleak future cyber-world of dark discomfort. Electronic sounds swirl in 3-D sound, enveloping the listener in a cloud of moving shapes. Synth tones evoke images of machinery, metallic cyborgs and dystopian visions. Great for game drama, investigative scenes and sci-fi. Instrumental, Science Fiction, Sci-Fi Action Moderate
Slow, ambient but grooving, this track creates suspense and danger, with swooping electronics, ghostly tones and steady pulsing. Dark and spooky and high-tech, it is ideal for the aftermath of war, CSI crime scene investigation or a steadily growing conspiracy, espionage, murder mystery. Instrumental, Dangerous, Apprehensive Music
Building tension, powerful and driving, guitar, brass and orchestra push towards a powerful climax. Thematic and explosive. This is ideal for a chase, air battle or fight sequence. This piece is thrilling and energized. Big full strings cap off a dynamic, pulsing groove. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
This piece has the typical Garbutt orchestral palette, with driving drums, horns, strings and organic high-tech elements. There is a lurking spy-type mood which has a hint of Eastern Europe, melding sophistication with rugged intensity. Danger abounds, and strength of character is evident. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
This is a psychological stress scene, with military drums and percussive effects supporting some spooky low piano. It is perfect for war planning, stark video game terrain and minimalist tension. Great for investigative scenes or discussion background. A chime strikes early, and time has run out. Instrumental, Military, War Preparations
Military drumming suggests marching, although the intensity is more of waiting and preparing for the battle. There is a lingering string texture which exudes tension, with menacing cellos driving a relentless direction to the battle. Dark and foreboding, this is the soundtrack for stress. Instrumental, Military, War Preparations
Look out at the panoramic vista of beautiful mountain valley. A faint military memory suggests the aftermath of a battle: the dust has settled, the danger has passed, and a bright new world unfolds. The orchestra dreamily hovers and drifts around sustained bowed basses with light electronic flashes. Instrumental, Dramatic, Ethereal Music
Metallic and strong, this is a march with ominous overtones. Clanks and clunks pepper a groove with snares. Great for marching out, rolling out the troops and even game sequences of battle readiness. This would be a great backdrop to a general's speech, war room planning or big machines. Instrumental, Military, War Preparations
Fast percussion and a modern electronic edge makes this a flexible track for battle, game action and fast movement. Orchestral strings present a worrisome riff that explodes in a climax. This Zimmer-style track has some soaring guitar fx seated within the relentless percussive groove. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
You are flying through the cosmos, passing swirling galaxies and bizarre places. This would have been perfect for Kubrick's 2001 "through the star gate" sequence. Etherial but dark, this is a mind-bending trip into the unknown. This track is sci-fi or also great game ambience, creepy and organic. Instrumental, New Age, Space Music
Driving march-type military drumming takes you through texture changes and arrives at a huge orchestral frenzy. Strings are agitated and transition into a tension-building flurry of full orchestration. Cinematic density climaxes with charged horns and action excitement. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Moody, somber and dark, this orchestrally rich track describes a state of worry, despair and longing. Rich bowed strings support a lonely harp, with eerie background ambience. Tremolande strings and a solo clarinet speak despair and sorrow. Ideal for soap opera, video game, horror, or film drama. Instrumental, Dangerous, Dark Music
This is a stretched out moment of decision-making, with the haunting snare reminding one of the seriousness of the matter. This is great for documentary interlude or video game backdrop. Electronic drone adds tension and mystery. Instrumental, Military, Military Soundscape
This track jumps right into battle, with chunky strings and driving percussion. Crazy morphed drums lead to a bombastic peak, followed by a sound-design aftermath. This track is huge, full of energy, and vicious. This is ideal for military battle/suspense, international intrigue and mystery. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral
Eerie drone with crunchy electronic rhythm background leads to a huge orchestral swell as tension mounts to a climax. This is large, cinematic Zimmer-type majesty. Dark and foreboding, this piece is suitable for military prelude to action, air battle, troop movement, war room or runway takeoff. Instrumental, Military, Electro-Orchestral