Meet Darrick Atwater

We recently connected with Darrick Atwater and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Darrick with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I developed my work ethic through a combination of passion for sound design, the discipline learned in recovery, and the desire to push creative boundaries. After overcoming addiction and getting sober on 11/11/09, I realized that structure, accountability, and drive were essential not just for staying sober but also for succeeding in my career. The dedication I applied to recovery has translated directly into how I approach my work—whether it’s crafting sound presets or creating content for major audio companies. I’ve also had incredible role models in my family, who demonstrated resilience and persistence, and their unwavering support helped shape my approach to business.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a sound designer and content creator with Agent Method Productions LLC, where I specialize in crafting custom sound presets for hardware and software synthesizers. My work spans collaborations with major audio companies like Slate Digital, Kilohearts, Sonic Academy, Moog, and more. Beyond sound design, I also produce, mix, and master tracks across various genres, though my personal focus has been on pushing the boundaries of electronic music with a genre I’ve coined as Future Punk.

Future Punk is an exciting project I’m developing through my business, Future Punk Music LLC, alongside my partner, Casey Cavaliere. It blends elements of punk energy with future-forward sound design, and I’m working with companies like Spectrasonics and Kilohearts to create preset packs for producers to tap into this unique sonic style. It’s thrilling to see something that started as an idea take off and resonate with companies and artists.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to merge creativity with cutting-edge technology. Sound design is an art form where I get to paint with frequencies and create something entirely new. It’s more than just making music—it’s about shaping the tools that artists use to express themselves. I’m proud to be a part of that process, whether it’s developing a preset that sparks inspiration or delivering content that engages people in unexpected ways.

On the horizon, I’m preparing for the release of new Future Punk preset packs for Omnisphere and continuing to expand my collaborations in the audio industry. There are also exciting new opportunities for growth in content creation, including a comedic infomercial I’m working on for Slate Audio’s VSX system, which combines my sound design expertise with humor.

At the core of everything I do, I aim to push boundaries, create memorable experiences, and have a little fun along the way. Whether it’s through my sound design or content, I’m always looking for new ways to innovate and inspire.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities and skills have been most impactful in my journey:

Resilience:
My path hasn’t always been easy, but resilience is what kept me going. After battling addiction and getting sober, I learned that setbacks are part of the process, whether it’s in personal recovery or business. The key is to keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say embrace the challenges. They are where you’ll find the most growth, and resilience will carry you through.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning:
My career in sound design has been driven by an endless curiosity for how things work, from synthesizers to sound manipulation techniques. I constantly explore new technologies, and staying up-to-date in this fast-evolving industry has been crucial. For those starting out, I recommend staying curious and never stopping your learning. Whether it’s taking a course, watching tutorials, or experimenting on your own, the more you explore, the more tools you’ll have to succeed.

Creativity Paired with Structure:
Creativity is at the heart of what I do, but it wouldn’t be sustainable without structure. I’ve had to learn how to channel my creativity in a way that’s productive—meeting deadlines, organizing my projects, and collaborating effectively with clients. My advice is to strike a balance between inspiration and discipline. Build a system that works for you, whether it’s using tools like QuickBooks to manage business, or setting routines that help your creativity thrive without chaos.

For those early in their journey, I’d suggest focusing on developing these skills—resilience will keep you going, curiosity will keep you growing, and structure will make sure you can deliver consistently. It’s a mix that has allowed me to carve out my space in this industry, and I believe it can do the same for anyone.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning how to balance my professional life with the new dynamics of family life, especially after the birth of my daughter. Before she arrived, I was able to fully immerse myself in work—spending countless hours on sound design, content creation, and business growth. Now, I’ve had to learn how to manage my time more effectively and prioritize without sacrificing the quality of my work or neglecting my family. It’s a constant balancing act, but I’ve become better at finding structure and efficiency in my workflow, while also being present as a father and husband.

Professionally, I’ve also expanded my business relationships with major audio companies, pushing the Future Punk genre further into the spotlight. But honestly, becoming a parent has been the most transformative experience of all. It’s taught me patience, adaptability, and the importance of self-care—both for myself and for my family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agentmethod.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agentmethod
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agentmethod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrickatwater
• Twitter: https://x.com/agentmethod
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AgentMethod
• Yelp: https://www.reddit.com/r/futurepunkmusic
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/agentmethod
• Other: https://www.agentmethod.net/survival_pack- ​Get through the wilderness of any track with this multi-genre spanning preset pack for Xfer SERUM

  ​- From indy synth-pop to riddim, future bass to dubstep, rock to house, trap, big room, hiphop, slap, lofi-strange world, NFT, hyperpop, future punk and more, this pack can help you with your inspiration in tons of different genres.
  ​
  24 Noises
  110 WaveTables
  100 Presets- ​Get through the wilderness of any track with this multi-genre spanning preset pack for Xfer SERUM

  ​- From indy synth-pop to riddim, future bass to dubstep, rock to house, trap, big room, hiphop, slap, lofi-strange world, NFT, hyperpop, future punk and more, this pack can help you with your inspiration in tons of different genres.
  ​
  24 Noises
  110 WaveTables
  100 Presets

  message me on IG and ill send you a coupon code for a discount!

Image Credits

Jame Samuels
IamZormak Photography