Dr. Hideki Isoda is an Emmy-nominated composer, music technologist, and educator whose work bridges artistic vision and scientific inquiry. His research and creative practice focus on motion-sensing performance systems, algorithmic design, and advanced music technologies, emphasizing interactive sound design as a craft grounded in human musical intent and expression.

Born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1970, Dr. Isoda developed an early passion for electrical engineering and synthesizer design. His formal musical training began in childhood and later led to advanced studies at Indiana University, Berklee College of Music, and the University of Sydney, where he earned a Ph.D. in Composition and Music Technology.

As a composer, Dr. Isoda has written and produced original soundtracks for NHK Japan, PBS America, and other international broadcasters, as well as commercial music for major global corporations. As a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer, he has recorded and produced countless classical and jazz albums at the highest professional standards in studios and concert halls around the world.

From 2007 to 2013, he served as Associate Dean of Technology and Distance Learning at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Between 2013 and 2020, he was Professor of Music and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Program for Creative Content and Technology at Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul. Since 2020, Dr. Isoda has been a full-time faculty member and Director of Media Production at the Texas Tech University School of Music, where he teaches Composition, Recording Technology, and Music Informatics.

Dr. Isoda actively leads and collaborates on cutting-edge research projects that integrate artificial intelligence, music informatics, and sound engineering, with applications in creative performance, therapeutic sound design, and advanced media production.

He resides in Lubbock, Texas, with his wife, Hyejin (music therapist/writer), and their two children.

Philosophy

"Circling Around" is more than the title of my films. It reflects how I understand the movement of knowledge, creativity, and human connection across generations. Learning does not move in straight lines; it returns, evolves, and continues.

A student learns from a teacher and, in time, becomes a teacher. What is passed on is not only knowledge or skill, but also love and care. These circulate through time, expanding beyond their origin. Education, in this sense, is continuity, with each generation receiving, transforming, and sharing anew.

Since the early 1990s, I have worked as a media composer, recording engineer, producer, filmmaker, and technologist. I continue to advance these practices through research and professional service. These are the same disciplines I guide students to pursue with rigor, responsibility, and professional integrity.

As an educator, my purpose is to contribute to this living circle, both now and beyond my lifetime.

I was fortunate to learn from exceptional teachers and mentors whose generosity shaped my path. In gratitude, my mission is to return what I received, expanded and carried forward with enduring love and care.

The circle continues..

Tools & Instruments

Research & Development
Much of my work involves writing C++ code within Visual Studio Code for embedded systems and hardware integration. This supports music and sound experiments and development, where software, electronics, and artistic inquiry converge. I use KiCad for circuit design and prototyping, translating conceptual ideas into functional hardware. Coding and electronic design form an essential part of my research and creative practice.

Audio Editing, Mixing & Mastering
In audio editing, mixing, and mastering, I primarily work in Pyramix, which I value for its precision and its Source-Destination workflow, particularly suited to classical production. As needed, I also work in Pro Tools. I take a minimalist approach in general. FabFilter Pro-Q, Pro-C, Pro-L, and Cinematic Rooms by LiquidSonics are my go-to plugins when processing is required. Monitoring is handled through the Neumann MT 48 for reference listening with ATC monitors.

Music Composition
I use Dorico Pro for notation and Nuendo for MIDI sequencing and sound design. For virtual instruments, I maintain a focused palette built around the Vienna Symphonic Library and Spectrasonics Omnisphere. Piano and guitar are the primary instruments I practice today, and I previously trained and performed seriously as a saxophonist.

Students are welcome to bring their work in any notation or DAW software of their choice. My teaching is not platform-dependent; it emphasizes musical structure, clarity, and artistic intention. When composition students seek recommendations, I typically suggest Dorico and Cubase, both of which function well on Mac and PC platforms. Ultimately, however, the choice of tools is personal and shaped by each artist's working environment.

Video Production
I use DaVinci Resolve Studio for video editing, color grading, and delivery. Its cross-platform availability and robust free version make it an excellent starting point for students, and I incorporate it into my teaching.