Mengge “Mango” Bao, originally from China, has established himself as a remarkable figure in the world of music production and composition. Initially an engineering student, Mengge transitioned to music, teaching himself production using software like Cubase and Logic Pro. His passion led him to found “Ideal Youth” recording studio at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where he gained extensive experience in leading production teams and organizing live events.
The Formative Years: A Transition to Music
At Berklee College of Music, Mengge specialized in Contemporary Writing and Production and Film Scoring. After graduation, he became a Tutorial Instructor at Donner Music in Boston, MA, where he taught pop song production and contributed to song production for the music production equipment company.
From January 2022 to May 2022, Mengge utilized his talents a composer and musician working within Bleeding Fingers Music in Santa Monica, CA. During this time, he contributed to high-profile projects such as “The Simpsons,” Apple TV’s “Prehistoric Planet,” and Extreme Music. He also wrote library music for Extreme Music and worked as a freelance composer, further honing his craft and expanding his professional repertoire.
Mengge’s journey in music production is rooted in a profound appreciation for the role of music in storytelling. His career choice was fueled by a passion for the technical aspects of sound and its emotional impact on audiences. Mengge is fascinated by how music can subtly enhance or dramatically transform the viewer’s experience of film and TV, allowing him to manipulate sound to evoke specific emotions and across a variety of mediums including the 2024 Honda Inspire commericial and Ana Soklic’s recent musicial release “Amen”.
Notable Works: Elevating Cinematic Experiences
His notable work includes serving as the Lead Orchestrator on the Chinese film “All These Years.” This role involved in-depth discussions with composers to understand their vision and the emotional tone they aimed to convey. Mengge’s orchestration respected the original vision while enhancing the film’s emotional and narrative depth through informed choices about instrumentation, thematic development, and textural details. Experiencing his work evolve from notations on a page to a live performance from across the globe was both exhilarating and challenging, demonstrating how technology can bridge creative distances.
As the Audio Engineer and Mixing Engineer for the theme song of the Chinese movie “Johnny Keep Walking,” Mengge focused on deepening the emotional impact of the film through music. He arranged the score to convey emotional nuances, utilizing instrument selection and musical themes that resonated with the mood and pacing of the drama. His music subtly integrated into the film to enhance emotional layers without overwhelming the visual elements, supporting character development and the narrative arc.
Versatility Across Genres: Mengge’s Diverse Expertise
Mengge’s expertise spans multiple roles and genres. While the approach in a drama focuses on emotional resonance and narrative enhancement through sophisticated musical scores, his role as a mixing engineer in comedy ensures audience engagement through clear and impactful sound. These approaches highlight the distinct emotional goals of each genre, shaping how audiences perceive and react to the film.
Today, Mengge continues to create music for films, commercials, and documentaries, inspiring others with his extraordinary abilities and critical role in the music industry. His upcoming projects include scoring music for “Below Deck,” using Afrobeat to capture the vibrant atmosphere of life on a yacht, and composing synth-heavy hybrid orchestral music for “The Challenge” to amplify the intensity and drama of the competitions. For “Vanderpump Villa,” Mengge will blend synth and orchestral elements to create sophisticated, action-oriented compositions reflecting the high energy and tumultuous relationships within the show.
Conclusion: The Fusion of Technical Skill and Creative Instinct
Ultimately, Mengge’s decision to pursue a career in music and sound production stemmed from a desire to blend his technical skills with creative instincts, tell stories in impactful ways, and be part of a collaborative process that brings entertainment and art to life. This path has fulfilled his artistic ambitions and allowed him to grow continuously as a composer.
