David Whittaker (video game composer)
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = David Whittaker
| image =
| caption =
| alias = DialogueGuru
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1957|04|24}}
| genre =
| occupation = Video game composer, sound artist
| instrument =
| years_active =
| website =
}}
David Whittaker (born 24 April 1957 in Bury, England[http://www.c64.com/interviews/whittaker.html C64.COM interview]) is an English video game composer. He is known for writing video game music in most of the 1980s and early 1990s for different formats.
Career
Whittaker cited David Bowie, Kraftwerk and Yazoo among his influences.{{cite web |title= David Whittaker interview|url=https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-065/page/n31/mode/2up |website=archive.org| access-date= 21 May 2025}} Before his video game career, he was in a new romantic band called "Beu Leisure". While composing music, Whittaker directly programmed music; instead of using music composition tools, he used a machine code monitor—then an assembler system or program—while including tools from Supersoft and Commodore. He frequently composed for the format on the Commodore 64 and was impressed with the Amiga's sound capabilities, later using sound effects in his compositions for Amiga.
On the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, his most popular compositions are in Lazy Jones, Glider Rider, Armageddon Man, Amaurote, BraveStarr, and Elektra Glide. His subtune 21 of Lazy Jones, commonly known as "Star Dust", was the basis for the electronic song "Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation. His compositions appeared in Amiga games such as Shadow of the Beast, Obliterator, Beyond the Ice Palace, and Speedball. Other formats he has composed for include Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Atari 8-bit computers, and MSX.
After working for eight years in the US for Electronic Arts at Redwood Shores, he joined British video game developer Traveller's Tales in Knutsford, Cheshire, working as Head of Audio in September 2004.
Discography
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Game[http://www.atarimania.com/list_games_atari-st-p_total-page-step-team_324-1-200-1739_S_G.html Listing of Whittaker's work on Atarimania.][https://www.hvsc.c64.org High Voltage SID Collection.][https://cpcrulez.fr/search-engine.php?s=gr7h&m=Whittaker&sk=iLPi&st=gg%3D%3D&yr=&lg=&z=GO Listing of Whittaker's CPC work.]{{cite web |url=http://www.lemonamiga.com/ |title=Home |website=lemonamiga.com}}[http://hol.abime.net/hol_search.php?N_ref_artist=9&Show_N_ref_artist=David%20Whittaker Listing of Whittaker's work on Hall Of Light.]
! Year ! System(s) ! Publisher ! Notes |
|---|
| 1st Person Pinball
| 1989 | Tynesoft | |
| 007: Licence to Kill
| 1989 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | Domark | |
| 11-a-Side Soccer
| 1989 | | |
| 180
| 1986 | Arranged music for Atari 8-bit Jason C. Brooke |
| Alfred Chicken
| 1993 | Amiga, Amiga CD³² | Sound effects on CD32 |
| Alien Syndrome
| 1988 | Amiga | Sega | |
| Amaurote
| 1987 | Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Atari 8-bit, ZX Spectrum | Mastertronic, | |
| American Turbo-King
| 1989 | | |
| APB
| 1989 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | Tengen | Also known as All Points Bulletin |
| Arcade Flight Simulator
| 1989 | |
| Archipelagos
| 1989 | Logotron | |
| Army Moves
| 1988 | Ocean | |
| ATV Simulator
| 1987 | Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum 48k | | Also known as All Terrain Vehicle Simulator |
| Aussie Games
| 1990 | | |
| Back to the Future Part II
| 1990 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| Bad Company
| 1990 | Logotron | |
| Ball Crazy
| 1987 | |
| Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax
| 1989 | | |
| Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior
| 1987 | | Also known as Death Sword |
| Battle For The Ashes
| 1995 | Amiga | |
| Beverly Hills Cop
| 1990 | Tynesoft | |
| Beyond the Ice Palace
| 1988 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | Elite | |
| Blazer
| 1987 | Nexus | |
| Blood Money
| 1989 | Amiga | Made sound effects, not music |
| BMX Freestyle
| 1989 | | |
| BMX Simulator
| 1986 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC | |
| BraveStarr
| 1987 | GO! | |
| Brian Lara Cricket
| 1995 | Amiga | |
| Brian Lara Cricket '96
| 1996 | Amiga | |
| Bronx Street Cop
| 1989 | | |
| Bubble Bobble
| 1989 | Amiga | Firebird | Arranged from the arcade game, original by Zuntata |
| Bubble Dizzy
| 1991 | | |
| Buffalo Bill's Rodeo Games
| 1989 | Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum | Tynesoft | Also known as Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show |
| Captain Fizz Meets the Blaster-Trons
| 1989 | |
| Carrier Command
| 1988 | Amiga | Rainbird | Menu music |
| Challenge Golf
| 1991 | Atari ST | On-Line Entertainment | |
| Cheap Skate
| 1988 | Silverbird | |
| data-sort-value="Chicken Farm, The" | The Chicken Farm
| 1986 | | |
| Chip's Challenge
| 1990 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| Chrono Quest
| 1988 | |
| Circus Games
| 1989 | | |
| Cloud Kingdoms
| 1990 | Millennium | |
| Colony
| 1987 | Mastertronic, | |
| Cosmic Pirate
| 1989 | Palace | |
| Cosmonut
| 1987 | |
| Custodian
| 1989 | Hewson | Working title: Kalashnikov |
| Dan Dare III: The Escape
| 1990 | |
| Dark Castle
| 1988 | Three-Sixty Pacific | |
| Days of Thunder
| 1990 | |
| Death Stalker
| 1989 | |
| Defcom
| 1986 | |
| Defender of the Crown
| 1987 | Atari ST | Cinemaware | Arrangement from Amiga version, original music by Jim Cuomo and Bill Williams |
| Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure
| 1988 | |
| Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk
| 1991 | |
| Dogs of War
| 1989 | Elite | |
| Double Dragon II: The Revenge
| 1989 | | |
| Dynamic Duo
| 1989 | Firebird | |
| E.T.'s Rugby League
| 1992 | Amiga | Sega | |
| Elektra Glide
| 1986 | English Software | |
| Elevator Action
| 1987 | |
| Emlyn Hughes Arcade Quiz
| 1990 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | |
| Emlyn Hughes International Soccer
| 1990 | |
| Enduro Racer
| 1987 | | |
| Epic
| 1992 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | Ocean | |
| Exterminator
| 1990 | | |
| Eye of Horus
| 1989 | Logotron | |
| Fantasy World Dizzy
| 1989 | |
| Fast Food
| 1989 | | |
| Feud
| 1987 | Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC | Bulldog | Arranged music for Atari 8-bit Jason C. Brooke |
| Fire and Brimstone
| 1990 | Firebird | |
| Fright Night
| 1988 | Amiga | Microdeal | |
| Fruit Machine Simulator 2
| 1990 | | |
| Future Sport
| 1989 | Atari ST | Actual Screenshots | |
| Garfield: Big Fat Hairy Deal
| 1988 | Softek | |
| Gazza II
| 1991 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | |
| Ghostbusters II
| 1989 | |
| Ghosts 'n Goblins
| 1986 | | |
| Gilbert: Escape From Drill
| 1989 | | |
| Glider Rider
| 1986 | Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | |
| Global Commander
| 1987 | Martech | Also known as The Armageddon Man |
| data-sort-value="Gold of the Aztecs, The" | The Gold of the Aztecs
| 1990 | |
| Golden Axe
| 1990 | Arranged from the arcade game |
| Goldrunner II
| 1988 | Microdeal | |
| Graham Gooch World Class Cricket
| 1993 | Also known as Allan Border Cricket |
| Graham Gooch World Class Cricket - Test Match Special Edition
| 1994 | Amiga | |
| Graham Gooch's Second Innings
| 1993 | |
| Grand Prix Simulator
| 1987 | |
| Grand Prix Simulator II
| 1989 | | |
| Grange Hill
| 1987 | Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | Argus Press Software | |
| Grimblood
| 1990 | Virgin | |
| Gunship 2000
| 1993 | Amiga | |
| Helter Skelter
| 1990 | |
| Hocus Focus
| 1986 | |
| Humphrey
| 1983 | Mr Micro | |
| data-sort-value="Hunt for Red October, The" | The Hunt for Red October
| 1987 | Amiga | Grand Slam Software | |
| Hunter Killer
| 1989 | Atari ST | |
| Hyperbowl
| 1987 | |
| Indoor Soccer
| 1989 | |
| Infection
| 1989 | Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| International Rugby Simulator
| 1988 | Also known as Advanced Rugby Simulator |
| International Soccer Challenge
| 1990 | |
| International Speedway
| 1988 | | |
| IO
| 1988 | Firebird | |
| Iron Horse
| 1988 | Konami | |
| Iron Lord
| 1989 | Atari ST | Ubi Soft | |
| data-sort-value="Island of Dr. Destructo, The" | The Island of Dr. Destructo
| 1987 | Bulldog | |
| Jail Break
| 1987 | Konami | |
| Jaws
| 1989 | Martech | |
| Jupiter's Masterdrive
| 1990 | Ubi Soft | |
| Kid Gloves
| 1990 | Millennium | |
| Kikstart 2
| 1987 | Amiga | |
| Killing Cloud
| 1991 | |
| Knight Games
| 1986 | English Software | |
| Knight Tyme
| 1988 | |
| Knightmare
| 1988 | Atari ST | |
| Krusty's Fun House
| 1993 | Amiga | Acclaim Virgin | Also known as Krusty's Super Fun House |
| Last Mission
| 1987 | |
| Lazer Force
| 1987 | |
| Lazy Jones
| 1984 | Terminal Software | |
| Leatherneck
| 1988 | Microdeal | |
| data-sort-value="Legend of William Tell, The" | The Legend of William Tell
| 1990 | Martech | Also known as Crossbow: The Legend of William Tell |
| Lemmings 2: The Tribes
| 1993 | |
| Leviathan
| 1987 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | English Software | Also known as Straf |
| Little Icarus
| 1983 | Mr Micro | |
| data-sort-value="Living Daylights, The" | The Living Daylights
| 1987 | Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC | Domark | |
| Lone Wolf: The Mirror of Death
| 1991 | |
| Loopz
| 1990 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | Working title: Convolution |
| Magicland Dizzy
| 1990 | |
| Max Headroom
| 1986 | |
| Mayhem
| 1983 | Mr Micro | |
| Menace
| 1988 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | This song is also heard on the Menace themed level of Lemmings. Working titles: Coppercon1, Draconia |
| Miami Dice
| 1986 | Bug-Byte | |
| Milk Race
| 1987 | Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, Amstrad CPC | Arranged music for Atari 8-bit Tiny Williams |
| Millennium 2.2
| 1989 | Arrangement of Mahler's adagio from 5th symphony. Also known as Millenium: Return To Earth |
| Mission Omega
| 1986 | | |
| data-sort-value="Model, The" | The Model
| 1986 | | |
| Monte Carlo Casino
| 1989 | | |
| Moto Cross Simulator
| 1989 | | |
| Mr Wino
| 1988 | Silverbird | |
| Mr. Heli
| 1987 | Atari ST | Firebird | |
| Ninja
| 1987 | Amiga | Also known as Ninja Mission |
| Ninja Massacre
| 1989 | | |
| Nitro Boost Challenge
| 1989 | Atari ST | |
| Obliterator
| 1988 | |
| Operation Gunship
| 1989 | | |
| Outcast
| 1987 | Atari ST | |
| Paddle Mania
| 1988 | | |
| Pandora
| 1988 | Firebird | |
| Pandora's Box
| 1983 | Mr Micro | |
| Panther
| 1986 | |
| Platoon
| 1988 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | Ocean | |
| Poltergeist
| 1988 | |
| Professional BMX Simulator
| 1988 | | |
| Professional Snooker Simulator
| 1988 | |
| Pub Trivia Simulator
| 1989 | | |
| Punchy
| 1983 | Mr Micro | |
| Quadralien
| 1988 | Logotron | |
| Quartet
| 1987 | |
| data-sort-value="Race Against Time, The" | The Race Against Time
| 1988 | |
| Rampage
| 1987 | Atari ST | |
| data-sort-value="Real Ghostbusters, The" | The Real Ghostbusters
| 1988 | |
| Red Max
| 1987 | |
| Renaissance
| 1990 | Impressions | Also known as Classic 4 |
| Renegade
| 1987 | Atari ST | |
| Return to Genesis
| 1988 | Firebird | Working title: Clonworld 50 |
| RoadBlasters
| 1988 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| Rugby League Coach
| 1994 | |
| Rygar
| 1987 | |
| data-sort-value="Sentinel, The" | The Sentinel
| 1988 | Amiga | Firebird | Also known as The Sentry |
| Shadow of the Beast
| 1989 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| Shadow Skimmer
| 1987 | | |
| SideWinder
| 1988 | Amiga | |
| SimCity
| 1990 | Atari ST | Maxis | |
| Skateball
| 1989 | Atari ST | Ubi Soft | |
| Sláine
| 1988 | Martech | |
| Slap Fight
| 1988 | Atari ST | Ocean | Also known as A.L.C.O.N. |
| Snoopy: The Cool Computer Game
| 1989 | Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore CDTV | Softek | Also known as: Snoopy And Peanuts, Snoopy: The Case of the Missing Blanket |
| Snow Strike
| 1990 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| Soccer Skills
| 1989 | |
| Solomon's Key
| 1987 | |
| Speedball
| 1988 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | |
| Spellbound Dizzy
| 1991 | |
| Spitting Image
| 1989 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | Domark | |
| Split Personalities
| 1986 | Domark | |
| Spore
| 1987 | Bulldog | |
| Sporting Triangles
| 1989 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | CDS | |
| Star Trek: The Rebel Universe
| 1987 | Atari ST | Firebird | |
| Star Wars
| 1987 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC | Domark | |
| Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
| 1988 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | Domark | |
| Starblaze
| 1989 | Logotron | |
| StarRay
| 1988 | Atari ST | Logotron | |
| Storm
| 1986 | |
| Stormbringer
| 1988 | MAD/Mastertronic | |
| Stormtrooper
| 1989 | Creation | |
| Street Gang Soccer
| 1989 | | |
| Street Soccer
| 1989 | | |
| Street Surfer
| 1986 | Entertainment USA | |
| Super G-Man
| 1987 | |
| Super League Manager
| 1995 | Amiga | |
| Super Robin Hood
| 1987 | |
| Super Stuntman
| 1988 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC | |
| Supremacy: Your Will Be Done
| 1990 | Atari ST | Also known as Overlord |
| Terra Cognita
| 1986 | |
| Tetris
| 1987 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | Mirrorsoft | |
| ThunderCats
| 1988 | Amiga | Elite | Arranged from Commodore 64 game, original song by Rob Hubbard |
| Total Recall
| 1990 | Ocean | |
| Transmuter
| 1987 | |
| Trantor: The Last Stormtrooper
| 1987 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC | GO! | |
| Treasure Island
| 1984 | Mr Micro | |
| Treasure Island Dizzy
| 1989 | |
| Triple Tournament
| 1984 | Terminal Software | |
| data-sort-value="Tube, The" | The Tube
| 1987 | |
| Turbo Chopper Simulator
| 1989 | | |
| Vampire
| 1987 | |
| Verminator
| 1989 | Atari ST | Rainbird | |
| Voodoo Nightmare
| 1990 | Atari ST | Palace Software | |
| Wanderer 3D
| 1988 | Amiga | Elite | |
| War Cars Construction Kit
| 1988 | Firebird | |
| Warlock: The Avenger
| 1990 | Atari ST | |
| Weird Dreams
| 1989 | |
| Wembley Rugby League
| 1994 | Amiga | |
| Whirligig
| 1988 | Amiga | Firebird | Also known as SpaceCutter |
| Willow Pattern
| 1985 | Firebird | |
| Wizard's Pet
| 1987 | |
| Wonder Boy in Monster Land
| 1989 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | Arranged from the arcade game, original songs by Shinichi Sakamoto. Also known as Super Wonder Boy In Monsterland |
| World Class Rugby
| 1991 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC | |
| World Class Rugby '95
| 1995 | Amiga | |
| World Class Rugby: Five Nations Edition
| 1992 | Amiga | |
| Wrath of the Demon
| 1991 | Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga | ReadySoft | |
| Wreckers
| 1991 | |
| Xenon
| 1988 | Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | |
| Xenon 2: Megablast
| 1989 | Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore CDTV | Mirrorsoft | Title song is a rearrangement of the song "Megablast" from the album Into the Dragon by Bomb the Bass |
| Zombi
| 1987 | Atari ST | Ubi Soft | |
| Zub
| 1986 | Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum | |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Biography|Amiga}}
- [http://www.lemon64.com/games/musician.php?musID=64 Photograph of Whittaker at Lemon64.com]
- Whittaker's Amiga music at UnExoticA
- [http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,800/ David Whittaker] at MobyGames
- [http://www.ocremix.org/artist/287/david-whittaker Artist profile] at OverClocked ReMix
- [http://www.remix64.com/interview_david_whittaker.html Remix64 Interview with David Whittaker] Carr, Neil (2 October 2001)
{{Amiga people}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whittaker, David}}