Background Music [Archive] - Wizards Community

Background Music [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
azoth72
06-25-07, 11:06 PM I'm looking to put some music into my game, but I don't know where to start. I'm thinking about using ambient music; however, I'm looking for some people who could tell me: what has worked best in their game, ambient or actual songs, good places to download them from, etc.
Thanks.
Mr_Crepsley
06-25-07, 11:10 PM As i've mentioned in other threads, I think music can distract, but anyway. Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but i can say that THE BEST soundtrack i have ever heard was the Fight Club one. You can buy it off itunes, but im sure you may be ably to find it on... uhh... less legitimate places. It is by the Dust Brother, if you are interested.
Holy_Beholder
06-25-07, 11:10 PM Ambient works better, actual songs can get distracting. Of course, the players will be humming incessantly for the next four months whether the music is on or not(and you will discover that most of them are tone deaf) but everything has a downside.
Dragonchild
06-26-07, 01:39 AM Definitely ambient music. The human brain has a hard-wired tendency to focus on human voices, so even choir tracks can distract. The best music is orchestral (or at least synth orchestral), though you can mix in some hard techno in certain fights.

Also, movie soundtracks are often written to conform to the screenplay. You can't control the timing of the abrupt changes of mood, so they're harder to work with.

Soundtracks to video games and TV anime work best, based on how they're composed. Each track is intended to establish a certain mood, and only one mood, so it's easy to make dedicated playlists.

In any case, keep the volume turned down. Those on the opposite side of the gaming table should be able to hear you clearly speaking with a normal voice.

If you want more details, I actually made a report with an entire section about it here:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=846930

Hope this helps
constanzza
06-26-07, 01:09 PM well music can actually be distracting, but depends on what kind of a music is a word.
i actually enjoy music ingame as a DM. if you give them a good ambient music , it can raise their morale, or make them more exited about the events if the music frames with the game.
i personally and warmly suggest that you use the music from Knights of Honour, go to its web site and download music, its free, and its very very good.
next one i suggest is music from Heroes III - shadow of death, simply go to games folders and copy music from folders, music:P
music from games are extremely good ambiented, strictly for the game. good luck!
Holy_Beholder
06-26-07, 02:00 PM Yeah, videogame tunes are fun. And taps, the military song for dead soldiers, is used when characters die.
joeofcthulhu
06-26-07, 02:38 PM definately use movie soundtracks. my players love both of the conan movie soundtracks.
tryco
06-26-07, 03:17 PM midnight syndicate has some really good background music.
they even did the original DnD soundtrack.
Warduke
06-26-07, 03:53 PM midnight syndicate has some really good background music.
they even did the original DnD soundtrack.

Agree 100%

Midnight Syndiacte or Nox Arcana. Both have at least 3 CDs based on creepy environments. I'm currently running a Dragonlance game. My players are doing the Sylvanesti Nightmare atm and I am using MS for background music. They love it.
Elrond Hubbard
06-26-07, 06:01 PM Scorpions: "Rock You Like A Hurricane"

all night long, baby.
constanzza
06-26-07, 10:43 PM i forgot the POWER METAL.
anyone heard of DRAGONFORCE? they have speedy songs, but the lyrics are all D&D styled.
another is Rhapsody, their lyrics are completely from D&D!!!
anyone heard of them?maaan, songs starts like this
the old elfking Tarish
knows the way trough the caverns, to Dar` Kunor's forgoten entrance.
for 2 days they walked in the wild
on the pathway to darkness
the reason they survived it was Dargor...
really really awesome lyrics.
also FALKENBACH, anyone?
the songs are from album called Ok nefna tysvar ty
might and steel!!!
please listen to some of my suggestions than decide:)
sedai
06-27-07, 01:37 AM In my campaign we use Tons of music.
we've got ambient number songs per location even!

we use alot for games.. we use the soundtrack of the Myst iv game alot, that one is really great.
but also some songs from WoW (which may sound freaky, but its pretty good ambient music and doesn't bore)
i've also taken stuff from movies with the same environment (some disney stuff, aladin and lion king as we were playin in the desert and savanne)

Hope it helps, goodluck with it.
Dragonchild
06-27-07, 05:38 PM I also recommend Kouhei Tanaka, if you can find him. His work on the "Sakura Wars" games was very very good, especially considering the heavy emphasis that was placed on music. "Jinrai (Thunderclap)" is one of my favorite boss fight tracks, ever:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ryuji/ST2-Thunderclap.mp3

Also, why has no one mentioned the LotR soundtracks?
HerbalTea
06-27-07, 06:22 PM Agree 100%

Midnight Syndiacte or Nox Arcana. Both have at least 3 CDs based on creepy environments. I'm currently running a Dragonlance game. My players are doing the Sylvanesti Nightmare atm and I am using MS for background music. They love it.

It's brilliant stuff indeed. I also highly recommend the use of Nox Arcana. I use it all the time.
Wopple
06-27-07, 06:51 PM There is a D&D cd out there somewhere, and so far as I know it was made for this very specific purpose. In my opinion some of the songs are lame, but I am sure you could track it down. Has fairly simple songs, dungeon trolling, fighting (with even a clash of swords in the background!) etc.

I prefer video game music as well. Best thing to do is get the plugin for winamp that lets you play NES emulated sound. It loops the sound using the same method as the actual game did, and as such can play for hours. (This is real looping, where openings don't repeat etc). Works well for the reasons others mentioned before me.
Sarrazon
06-27-07, 11:00 PM http://www.mikseri.net/artists/?id=48147

Check it out, it's awesome and made just for this sort of thing. I have the whole thing on my ipod, it's also great to just kick back, relax and listen to.
Psikerlord
06-27-07, 11:14 PM We use a laptop with speakers connected, and tend to play either looped movie soundtracks, music files from computer games (eg: temple of elemental evil), and a few other music cds. We basically have three types of background music : wandering the dungeon music, tavern music and fight music. Dungeon music mostly comes from computer game files, tavern music from mediveal music cds and computer games, and fighting music from computer games, midnight syndicate, eberron sharn book CD, & movie soundtracks. I think the best pointers are keep the volume low, and avoid music with words. Also if you're going to loop tracks, make them loooong loops.
Eater_Of_Souls
06-28-07, 03:23 AM I often use sound tracks from Conan The Barbarian for my fight scenes :)
Anarchy Online also has a magnificen ambient sound track, you have to use a recording software to glue all the bits an pieces though but result is fantastic.
But most of all music should fit to the theme and be ambient or if it has a human voice it should "blend in to the background" lest it can be a distraction.
Misfit815
06-28-07, 09:41 AM midnight syndicate has some really good background music.
they even did the original DnD soundtrack.

At the risk of a "me too", I'll have to agree. It's like the music version of Ravenloft. I leave it on shuffle on a 'background' volume all night.

J
Danz33
06-28-07, 11:18 AM You can get the LOTR soundtrack from somewhere, and there's plenty to choose from--anything from light hearted music for travelling or a pub, to dramatic chase scenes, epic battles, suspense, etc.

I also just watched Van Helsing, which had a really great intense musical score. Check it out.

And for downtime, if your characters are training up between levels, or switching feats, nothing beats Eye of the Tiger (Rocky).

For combat, check out Gladiator and Braveheart sound tracks. Maybe even a bit of Star Wars, like using the Imperial March for the BBEG's entrance, and some of the quicker Tie fighter X wing sortie music for chase scenes.

edit: Kudos for adding the ambience! It will be great. Also, softer music for non combat, louder music for combat. Instrumentals are less distracting for most people than vocals. You can loop your combat music as well, or make a playlist of good battle music.
HerbalTea
06-28-07, 11:23 AM You can get the LOTR soundtrack from somewhere, and there's plenty to choose from--anything from light hearted music for travelling or a pub, to dramatic chase scenes, epic battles, suspense, etc.

I also just watched Van Helsing, which had a really great intense musical score. Check it out.

And for downtime, if your characters are training up between levels, or switching feats, nothing beats Eye of the Tiger (Rocky).

For combat, check out Gladiator and Braveheart sound tracks. Maybe even a bit of Star Wars, like using the Imperial March for the BBEG's entrance, and some of the quicker Tie fighter X wing sortie music for chase scenes.

edit: Kudos for adding the ambience! It will be great. Also, softer music for non combat, louder music for combat. Instrumentals are less distracting for most people than vocals. You can loop your combat music as well, or make a playlist of good battle music.

Hans Zimmer is the guy behind Van Helsing for the most part.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
azoth72 06-25-07, 11:06 PM	I'm looking to put some music into my game, but I don't know where to start. I'm thinking about using ambient music; however, I'm looking for some people who could tell me: what has worked best in their game, ambient or actual songs, good places to download them from, etc. Thanks.
Mr_Crepsley 06-25-07, 11:10 PM	As i've mentioned in other threads, I think music can distract, but anyway. Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but i can say that THE BEST soundtrack i have ever heard was the Fight Club one. You can buy it off itunes, but im sure you may be ably to find it on... uhh... less legitimate places. It is by the Dust Brother, if you are interested.
Holy_Beholder 06-25-07, 11:10 PM	Ambient works better, actual songs can get distracting. Of course, the players will be humming incessantly for the next four months whether the music is on or not(and you will discover that most of them are tone deaf) but everything has a downside.
Dragonchild 06-26-07, 01:39 AM	Definitely ambient music. The human brain has a hard-wired tendency to focus on human voices, so even choir tracks can distract. The best music is orchestral (or at least synth orchestral), though you can mix in some hard techno in certain fights. Also, movie soundtracks are often written to conform to the screenplay. You can't control the timing of the abrupt changes of mood, so they're harder to work with. Soundtracks to video games and TV anime work best, based on how they're composed. Each track is intended to establish a certain mood, and only one mood, so it's easy to make dedicated playlists. In any case, keep the volume turned down. Those on the opposite side of the gaming table should be able to hear you clearly speaking with a normal voice. If you want more details, I actually made a report with an entire section about it here: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=846930 Hope this helps
constanzza 06-26-07, 01:09 PM	well music can actually be distracting, but depends on what kind of a music is a word. i actually enjoy music ingame as a DM. if you give them a good ambient music , it can raise their morale, or make them more exited about the events if the music frames with the game. i personally and warmly suggest that you use the music from Knights of Honour, go to its web site and download music, its free, and its very very good. next one i suggest is music from Heroes III - shadow of death, simply go to games folders and copy music from folders, music:P music from games are extremely good ambiented, strictly for the game. good luck!
Holy_Beholder 06-26-07, 02:00 PM	Yeah, videogame tunes are fun. And taps, the military song for dead soldiers, is used when characters die.
joeofcthulhu 06-26-07, 02:38 PM	definately use movie soundtracks. my players love both of the conan movie soundtracks.
tryco 06-26-07, 03:17 PM	midnight syndicate has some really good background music. they even did the original DnD soundtrack.
Warduke 06-26-07, 03:53 PM	midnight syndicate has some really good background music. they even did the original DnD soundtrack. Agree 100% Midnight Syndiacte or Nox Arcana. Both have at least 3 CDs based on creepy environments. I'm currently running a Dragonlance game. My players are doing the Sylvanesti Nightmare atm and I am using MS for background music. They love it.
Elrond Hubbard 06-26-07, 06:01 PM	Scorpions: "Rock You Like A Hurricane" all night long, baby.
constanzza 06-26-07, 10:43 PM	i forgot the POWER METAL. anyone heard of DRAGONFORCE? they have speedy songs, but the lyrics are all D&D styled. another is Rhapsody, their lyrics are completely from D&D!!! anyone heard of them?maaan, songs starts like this the old elfking Tarish knows the way trough the caverns, to Dar` Kunor's forgoten entrance. for 2 days they walked in the wild on the pathway to darkness the reason they survived it was Dargor... really really awesome lyrics. also FALKENBACH, anyone? the songs are from album called Ok nefna tysvar ty might and steel!!! please listen to some of my suggestions than decide:)
sedai 06-27-07, 01:37 AM	In my campaign we use Tons of music. we've got ambient number songs per location even! we use alot for games.. we use the soundtrack of the Myst iv game alot, that one is really great. but also some songs from WoW (which may sound freaky, but its pretty good ambient music and doesn't bore) i've also taken stuff from movies with the same environment (some disney stuff, aladin and lion king as we were playin in the desert and savanne) Hope it helps, goodluck with it.
Dragonchild 06-27-07, 05:38 PM	I also recommend Kouhei Tanaka, if you can find him. His work on the "Sakura Wars" games was very very good, especially considering the heavy emphasis that was placed on music. "Jinrai (Thunderclap)" is one of my favorite boss fight tracks, ever: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ryuji/ST2-Thunderclap.mp3 Also, why has no one mentioned the LotR soundtracks?
HerbalTea 06-27-07, 06:22 PM	Agree 100% Midnight Syndiacte or Nox Arcana. Both have at least 3 CDs based on creepy environments. I'm currently running a Dragonlance game. My players are doing the Sylvanesti Nightmare atm and I am using MS for background music. They love it. It's brilliant stuff indeed. I also highly recommend the use of Nox Arcana. I use it all the time.
Wopple 06-27-07, 06:51 PM	There is a D&D cd out there somewhere, and so far as I know it was made for this very specific purpose. In my opinion some of the songs are lame, but I am sure you could track it down. Has fairly simple songs, dungeon trolling, fighting (with even a clash of swords in the background!) etc. I prefer video game music as well. Best thing to do is get the plugin for winamp that lets you play NES emulated sound. It loops the sound using the same method as the actual game did, and as such can play for hours. (This is real looping, where openings don't repeat etc). Works well for the reasons others mentioned before me.
Sarrazon 06-27-07, 11:00 PM	http://www.mikseri.net/artists/?id=48147 Check it out, it's awesome and made just for this sort of thing. I have the whole thing on my ipod, it's also great to just kick back, relax and listen to.
Psikerlord 06-27-07, 11:14 PM	We use a laptop with speakers connected, and tend to play either looped movie soundtracks, music files from computer games (eg: temple of elemental evil), and a few other music cds. We basically have three types of background music : wandering the dungeon music, tavern music and fight music. Dungeon music mostly comes from computer game files, tavern music from mediveal music cds and computer games, and fighting music from computer games, midnight syndicate, eberron sharn book CD, & movie soundtracks. I think the best pointers are keep the volume low, and avoid music with words. Also if you're going to loop tracks, make them loooong loops.
Eater_Of_Souls 06-28-07, 03:23 AM	I often use sound tracks from Conan The Barbarian for my fight scenes :) Anarchy Online also has a magnificen ambient sound track, you have to use a recording software to glue all the bits an pieces though but result is fantastic. But most of all music should fit to the theme and be ambient or if it has a human voice it should "blend in to the background" lest it can be a distraction.
Misfit815 06-28-07, 09:41 AM	midnight syndicate has some really good background music. they even did the original DnD soundtrack. At the risk of a "me too", I'll have to agree. It's like the music version of Ravenloft. I leave it on shuffle on a 'background' volume all night. J
Danz33 06-28-07, 11:18 AM	You can get the LOTR soundtrack from somewhere, and there's plenty to choose from--anything from light hearted music for travelling or a pub, to dramatic chase scenes, epic battles, suspense, etc. I also just watched Van Helsing, which had a really great intense musical score. Check it out. And for downtime, if your characters are training up between levels, or switching feats, nothing beats Eye of the Tiger (Rocky). For combat, check out Gladiator and Braveheart sound tracks. Maybe even a bit of Star Wars, like using the Imperial March for the BBEG's entrance, and some of the quicker Tie fighter X wing sortie music for chase scenes. edit: Kudos for adding the ambience! It will be great. Also, softer music for non combat, louder music for combat. Instrumentals are less distracting for most people than vocals. You can loop your combat music as well, or make a playlist of good battle music.
HerbalTea 06-28-07, 11:23 AM	You can get the LOTR soundtrack from somewhere, and there's plenty to choose from--anything from light hearted music for travelling or a pub, to dramatic chase scenes, epic battles, suspense, etc. I also just watched Van Helsing, which had a really great intense musical score. Check it out. And for downtime, if your characters are training up between levels, or switching feats, nothing beats Eye of the Tiger (Rocky). For combat, check out Gladiator and Braveheart sound tracks. Maybe even a bit of Star Wars, like using the Imperial March for the BBEG's entrance, and some of the quicker Tie fighter X wing sortie music for chase scenes. edit: Kudos for adding the ambience! It will be great. Also, softer music for non combat, louder music for combat. Instrumentals are less distracting for most people than vocals. You can loop your combat music as well, or make a playlist of good battle music. Hans Zimmer is the guy behind Van Helsing for the most part.