Portfolio
“Dave is great at what he does, and is a pleasure to work with!”
” … an amazing talent for music.”
“Dave has made each of my projects sound better. He has a great combination of good skills, is collaborative, and a patient partnership.”
“Dave was great to work with … and produced a product that was exactly what we were looking for, couldn’t be happier!”
“It’s awesome! I love it! Thank you Dave! You’re awesome!”
“Magical production… I’m thrilled at what Dave did.”
“I was super pleased with Dave’s professionalism and audio skillset. He had a quick turnaround and delivered an awesome product.”
“Dave was great to work with. He completed the work quickly and made sure I was happy with everything. Very responsive to messages and I am thrilled with the final product. Definitely recommend!”
“Very good experience. Good partnership, communication, and good end product. I hope we get to do more together.“
“Dave did a great job in a short amount of time putting together the piano music for our musical! Thanks!”
“You are amazing, Dave!”
“Great production, wonderful communication, I’m happy with his work.”
Filter your view by genre, view all, or click here to view the portfolio by service category:
- All
- 18th Century
- Ballad
- Bayou
- Brit-Pop
- Chamber
- Christian
- Christmas/Holiday
- Cinematic
- Country Rock
- Dark
- Dixieland
- Dramedy
- Electronic
- Ethnic
- Folk
- Gospel
- Hip-Hop
- Hybrid
- Indie
- Instrumental
- Instrumental Cue
- Introspective
- Jazz
- Love Song
- March
- Native American
- New Age
- Orchestral
- Pop
- Pop Ballad
- Pop Rock
- Rap
- Rock
- Singer/Songwriter
- Social
- Solo Piano
- Sound Design
- Spiritual
- Swing
- Trailer
- Triumphant
Solitary Suspension
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2022 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Minimalistic, Pensive, Solo Piano
Dueling Dynasties
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2022 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Building, Epic Orchestral & Sound Design Trailer
What Child is This?
Produced by Dave Merkel
Sound Recording Copyright ℗ 2022, Dave Merkel Music & Sounds
Public Domain
Lilting Jazz-Waltz Feel, Instrumental
Even the Prodigal Belongs
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2022 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Orchestral Trailer, Building, Mysterious to Triumphant.
Running Off the Rails
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2022 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Instrumental Tension Cue, Hybrid with Synths & Orchestra, Sound Design.
Lurking Unnoticed
“Lurking Unnoticed”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2022 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Pulsing, Melodic, Repetitive Tension Cue. Piano, Bells, Sound Design.
In the Shadows
“In the Shadows”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Repetitive and pulsing dark ambient Tension Cue feat. Piano and Bells.
Cotillion of the Undead
“Cotillion of the Undead”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
18th Century Dance Music adapt. for Ghostly Settings
On the Edge
“On the Edge”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Epic Hybrid Trailer
Catch that Spy
“Catch that Spy”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Tense Action Instrumental Cue
An Artist’s Groove
“An Artist’s Groove”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Cool, Confident R&B Instrumental Cue
Life of an Artist
“Life of an Artist”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Warm, Reflective Piano Instrumental
Hip Homedy
“Hip Homedy”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Hip-Hop Dramedy Instrumental Cue
Dystopian Dust
“Dystopian Dust”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Dark & Gritty Synth-based Instrumental
Epic Exploration
“Epic Exploration”
Composed by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Epic Uplifting Trailer
Stargirl Scoring Competition
Dave’s entry for the Stargirl Score Competition by DC, CW, and Spitfire Audio. The challenge: compose music for a scene from CW’s Stargirl.
Music composed and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Action and Drama.
Oath of the Warrior
“Oath of the Warrior” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Epic Action Trailer.
Grand Teton
“Grand Teton” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Epic Hip-Hop/Orchestral Hybrid Instrumental cue.
Dangerous Facts
“Dangerous Facts” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Suspenseful, Investigative, Hybrid Instrumental Cue.
Tense Consternation
“Tense Consternation” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Tension Hybrid (Orchestra, Synths, & Effects) Instrumental Cue.
One Step From the Abyss
“One Step From the Abyss” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Slow-burn Hybrid Trailer, Tension, Impacts, Sound Design.
Forest of Mystery & Wonder
“Forest of Mystery & Wonder” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2021 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Trailer Music, Orchestra, Family Friendly.
It’s Finally Christmas
Words & Music by Justina Lee Black.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Justina Lee Black (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Pop/Rock, Christmas, Holiday
Same Kind of Different
Words & Music by Alexandra Christ & Dave Merkel.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Alexandra Christ (ASCAP) & David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Anthemic, Gritty, Pop/Rock
Spicy Attitude
“Spicy Attitude” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2020 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Electronic Pop Instrumental.
Thinking On Your Own
“Thinking On Your Own” – P.ii
Written by Craig Westwood
Produced by Craig Westwood, Patrick Peeters, Peter Süoss, Tim Elifritz, and Dave Merkel.
P.ii is an international band of five musicians/producers spread across four countries. P.ii is an acronym for Producers in Isolation.
Copyright © 2020 P.ii. All rights reserved.
Brit-Pop.
Eleven Squared
“Eleven Squared” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2020 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Hybrid Trailer Music, Building with Tension.
Larger Than It Appears
“Larger Than It Appears” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2020 David G Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Trailer Music, Sound Design-based, Intense, with Tension.
No Stoppin’ No Stoppin’ Me
Words & Music by Dana Halle, Alexandra Christ, and Dave Merkel.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Dana Halle (BMI), Alexandra Christ (ASCAP), & Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Uptempo, Pop, Empowerment, Determination.
Make It Count
Words & Music by Alexandra Christ & Dave Merkel.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Alexandra Christ (ASCAP) & Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Uptempo, Driving, Pop/Rap, Empowerment, Improvement
Choose Love
Words & Music by Alexandra Christ & Dave Merkel.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Alexandra Christ (ASCAP) & Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Pop Ballad.
Foster the Feeling
“Foster the Feeling” – Dave Merkel
Written and produced by Dave Merkel
Copyright © 2020 Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Uplifting Instrumental Pop
Together In a New Way
Words & Music by Marina Bennett, Latrissa M. Thomas, Leyla Mesic.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Marina Bennett, Latrissa M. Thomas, Leyla Mesic. All rights reserved.
We’re living in a new way due to COVID-19. Bright, Happy, Light, Pop Swing.
The Place We Go
Words & Music by Alexandra Christ & Dave Merkel.
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Alexandra Christ (ASCAP) & Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Uptempo, Fun, Pop Funk with a Family Party vibe.
Mirror Looking In
Written and Produced by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2020 Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Felt piano instrumental. Quiet and introspective.
Everybody Knows
“Everybody Knows” – Christina Holmes
Recorded at Spitfire Studio in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Warren Huart
Remixed & Mastered by Dave Merkel, with additional tracks and sound design added
Lurking in the Bayou
Video trailer for Point Lookout
Video trailer soundtrack Written & Produced by Dave Merkel
Music Copyright © 2017, Dave Merkel. All rights reserved.
Instrumental — a unique blend of instruments and effects.
Hipster Hymn
“Hipster Hymn” was written as the closing theme for an ongoing podcast. The melody is from an 1800’s Public Domain song.
Produced by Dave Merkel.
Arrangement & Sound Recording Copyright ℗ 2018 Dave Merkel.
Instrumental. An old hymn set to a laid-back EDM/Pop beat.
(A Movement of) Mercy & Grace
Words and music by Dave Merkel.
Available on: iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, and other online services.
Written and produced by Dave Merkel.
Copyright © 2018 Dave Merkel, ASCAP. All rights reserved.
Pop/Rock and almost anthemic feel.
Good Lovin’
“Good Lovin'” – Robert Jon & The Wreck
Recorded at Hybrid Studios in Orange County, CA
Produced by Warren Huart
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Merkel
The Challenge
Intro theme music for a documentary series on social issues.
Written and Produced by Dave Merkel for full orchestra with boys choir.
Copyright © 2016 Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Has a determined feel to it.
I Don’t Think We Can Be Friends
“I Don’t Think We Can Be Friends” – The Workday Release
Dave Merkel remix
Submitted for the Produce Like A Pro Mixing & Remixing Contest 2019
Sliding Doors
“Sliding Doors” by Kaedyn Kashmir
Produced by multi-platinum producer Warren Huart in Hollywood CA.
Dave Merkel mix & master
Audio Engineering for Corporate Video
Audio Engineering for Corporate Video
This is one of a series of three videos for which Dave handled the audio engineering: editing, reduce mic bleed, reduce background noise, apply processing effects, and keep the voices riding on top of the music bed.
A Hundred Lousy Love Songs
“A Hundred Lousy Love Songs” – Chris Sahlin
Dave Merkel mix
Produced by Warren Huart @ Spitfire Music
Sophia’s Strut
Commissioned as intro theme music for a podcast.
Written and Produced by Dave Merkel for rhythm and horns combo.
Copyright © 2016, Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Instrumental. Fun, happy, and a touch quirky.
Courage in the Wilderness
Video trailer soundtrack.
Written and Produced by Dave Merkel for piano, synth strings, and women’s choir.
Copyright © 2019, Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Instrumental. Soft and contemplative with a sense of overcoming.
Long Way Home
“Long Way Home” – Steve Maggiora
Produced by Warren Huart – Spitfire Studio, LA
Dave Merkel mix
Conditions
“Conditions” by The Workday Release
Produced by Warren Huart
Dave Merkel mix
Piano/Keyboard Live Performance & Tracking Demo
This recording is a mashup of Dave playing a few select but diverse genres on piano. This track gives brief highlights of various playing styles in different genres: classic rock, novelty, classical, kids jazz, pop.
Prelude for the Christ Child
The composer of this song graciously allowed Dave to share his own performance of the song here. It’s a beautiful piano piece.
Written by Chuck Bell. Copyright © 2012 Chuck Bell (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Produced and performed by Dave Merkel.
Piano instrumental.
I’m Not Dead Yet
“I’m Not Dead Yet” by Lovesick Radio
Remix by Dave Merkel
Produced by Warren Huart @ Spitfire Music
Audio Repair Example
Below are two short audio clips. The “before” clip is the audio as it was received, containing excessive and annoying clicks and crackles that distract from the message. The “after” clip is the audio after it was repaired; the clicks have effectively been removed or reduced to an unintelligible level. (Only audio repair results are demonstrated here. No other processing was applied to this audio example.)
Before audio repair:
After audio repair:
Easy Enough
“Easy Enough” was the theme song for an online DIY video series.
Written and produced by Dave Merkel for upright bass and ukulele, with whistling and hand claps.
Copyright © 2017 Dave Merkel (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
Instrumental. Positive and quirky vibe.
Down By the Riverside
“Down By the Riverside”
Produced for a worship resource project. Lyric video.
Produced by Dave Merkel (recording, mixing, mastering).
New Orleans / Dixieland jazz feel.
A Better Place
No matter who you are—what religion, race, caste or gender—no matter where you live, each one of us has the right to live in freedom, dignity and peace.
“A Better Place” by Playing for Change was released on International Human Rights Day in 2012. This arrangement was written for United Methodist Churches in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.
Playing For Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire and bring peace to the world through music. Learn more at Playing for Change at playingforchange.com.
Download the lead sheet (PDF)
Harvest Time
For United Methodists across Montana and northern Wyoming, “Harvest Time” is a theme song, and is associated with “Brother Van”. Rev. William Wesley Van Orsdel was a Methodist pioneer in Montana. For more information about Brother Van, see this entry on Wikipedia. Written for Piano/Guitar/Vocal.
Download Piano/Guitar/Vocal score (PDF)
Bread of Life
Dave says, “This song and arrangement reminds me of the Israelites on their journey from Egypt. It’s a wonderful song to use for Holy Communion.” Pianists take note: the right hand is played one octave lower than notated, as indicated by the score. Written for Piano/Guitar/Vocal with Optional Descant.
Visit the composer’s website at www.sueyoungmusic.com
Words and Music Copyright © 1993 Sue Young. Arrangement Copyright © Dave Merkel. All Rights Reserved.
Jesus Loves Me: Variations in C for Piano
An old standard from the 1860’s revisited in a new light. Dave was inspired to create this arrangement while spending a relaxing evening at a piano. Music by: William B. Bradbury. Public Domain. Arrangement and Sound Recording Copyright ℗ 2018 Dave Merkel.
Click here to download the piano score (PDF)
May the Peace of the Lord Christ Go with You
This song is a Celtic blessing. The wonderful Northumbria Community allowed Dave to share his arrangement, available in Piano/Guitar/Vocal and Piano/SATB.
Copyright © The Blessing in Morning Prayer from Northumbria Community’s Celtic Daily Prayer.