Background music

[Mr.Kraken]

Hi, guys, quick question. When my group plays, we (as in the DM) always provide some sort of background music, something to match the scene or battle taking place. One of our guys played with another group that didn't have the same tradition and he felt that his experience was lacking in a way. So, bringing the issue to the board, do you play background music in your sessions? If not, why not? And if you have played both with and without background music, which do you prefer?

[jjcrpntr]

I didn't for a long time, the last few sessions I've had some music playing quietly in the background (just found a youtube fantasy music mix). I don't know if it adds much.

Usually with my group we are all pretty loud and crazy so music gets drowned out. I played a few games with a dm that had specific music for different scenes but it was distracting (he played just 90s/00's rock) and often times to loud to understand what people were saying. It was also distracting when he had to stop and change the songs for things.

I don't know if the background music i've been playing the last few games matters or not, plan to ask my players this weekend.

[Mr.Kraken]

It was also distracting when he had to stop and change the songs for things.

This is the biggest issue in our sessions. Most of the time, something happens and somehow, someway, the DM loses the song he handpicked for the scene and we lose a lot of time while he looks for it in his flashdrive.

[Nibbens]

I've done both. Personally, I prefer without. It's hard to DM and constantly go find the right music for the battle.

However, that being said, a few times I was able to find a set of songs that matched a theme of the dungeon they were in. I would put that on loop and make it very soft in the background. It doesn't seem to add much to the atmosphere, even when I do, but I feel accomplished having attempting to create a more full experience.

Might I suggest anything by Two Steps from Hell. Amazing group for atmospheric music and such.

[Red Fel]

I've had GMs who use background music, and those who don't, and it's very much a "your mileage may vary" issue.

For example, I had one who used background music for a super-creepy V:tM one-shot game. He had everything timed perfectly, so all of the crescendos, the song changes, the waxing and waning of music, all fit smoothly into the atmosphere for the game. It worked great. He was one of few GMs I've had who used music, however.

As JJC and Mr. Kraken point out, unless you can have everything ready to go in advance, coordinating music can be an extremely time-consuming thing that can distract the players and ruin immersion. Further, it's important to remember that while music helps to set the mood, relying on it too much can detract as well.

All that said, there is one thing I, as a player, have looked for at a table, and have yet to find - a GM who allows character theme songs. You know how when you watch a series or movie, and a particular character starts to do something awesome, and those first few chords start playing, and you know that this is going to be epic? Or how you hear a few plinks of a harp, and suddenly you know that the mysterious vision from beyond will appear? That sort of thing. Character theme songs, not the whole melody, just a few bars to set up something. I realize that, as mentioned, it distracts and disrupts a bit, but man, that'd be a heck of a thing, wouldn't it?

[Karl Aegis]

I occasionally see The Great Gatsby playing in the background when gaming is going on. Makes for a good backdrop.

[Mr.Kraken]

I've had GMs who use background music, and those who don't, and it's very much a "your mileage may vary" issue.

For example, I had one who used background music for a super-creepy V:tM one-shot game. He had everything timed perfectly, so all of the crescendos, the song changes, the waxing and waning of music, all fit smoothly into the atmosphere for the game. It worked great. He was one of few GMs I've had who used music, however.

As JJC and Mr. Kraken point out, unless you can have everything ready to go in advance, coordinating music can be an extremely time-consuming thing that can distract the players and ruin immersion. Further, it's important to remember that while music helps to set the mood, relying on it too much can detract as well.

All that said, there is one thing I, as a player, have looked for at a table, and have yet to find - a GM who allows character theme songs. You know how when you watch a series or movie, and a particular character starts to do something awesome, and those first few chords start playing, and you know that this is going to be epic? Or how you hear a few plinks of a harp, and suddenly you know that the mysterious vision from beyond will appear? That sort of thing. Character theme songs, not the whole melody, just a few bars to set up something. I realize that, as mentioned, it distracts and disrupts a bit, but man, that'd be a heck of a thing, wouldn't it?

I've done it and really like doing it when I'm DMing. Sometimes, I organize a playlist with all the character theme songs and e-mail it to my players. I know I love listening to it, makes me imagine lots of amazing scenes with each character. I confess it's hard to use them during actual play, because you never know when the player is gonna do something epic, and when he does, you can't just go "Oh wait a minute, lemme get your theme song playing. Don't do anything epic just yet!"

[Red Fel]

I've done it and really like doing it when I'm DMing. Sometimes, I organize a playlist with all the character theme songs and e-mail it to my players. I know I love listening to it, makes me imagine lots of amazing scenes with each character. I confess it's hard to use them during actual play, because you never know when the player is gonna do something epic, and when he does, you can't just go "Oh wait a minute, lemme get your theme song playing. Don't do anything epic just yet!"

One of my favorite ideas, if I ever have the chance to use it as a DM, would actually be somewhat elaborate. Each of the PCs would have his theme song, and the player would have permission to play it himself when he's about to do something awesome. That way, I don't have to pause the game to find the song, the player is ready with it. But wait, there's more.

At some point, one of the PCs makes a noble sacrifice. This is the part I haven't had happen in game, and it's kind of necessary for the setup, so that's why I haven't been able to do this yet. The PC makes a noble sacrifice, dies, passes on, snuffs it, doesn't respond to revives, do not pass go, do not collect $200, the show's over. Player rolls a new character, we move on.

At some later point, party is facing a BBEG. Upon a predetermined signal with the player whose PC died nobly, I hit play. It's the dead PC's theme song. Beam of light, presumed-dead PC is back, and has a power-up (appropriate, since the other PCs would have leveled up since) and rejoins the fight.

That's what I'm talking about. That moment when the other players recognize the music and know what's coming? That's priceless.

[Afgncaap5]

Usually not. It's helped sometimes, though. One GM picked a lot of special music for a Ravenloft story in the middle of a campaign, though, and it really did add to the mood.

[Vhaidara]

I've had mixed with it. One GM found a fantastic dungeon track in the Heroes of Might and Magic IV Asylum Theme (The Chaos Town music, for those of you who have played). He also used the overworld medley from the same game for general adventure.

Another GM pulled from Final Fantasy themes, and it was good.

I personally tend to pull from soundtracks and Two Steps From Hell. And obviously, you make sure One-Winged Angel is at the ready for a boss fight.

As a Bard, I usually try and have a few songs on standby. One of my personal favorites was for our dwarven fighter. He was going Weapon Master, so he took Whirlwind Attack. Whenever he used it, I just started playing this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCw1ggftuQ)

[gorfnab]

I have had this quietly playing in the background for some games: Ancient FM (http://www.ancientfm.com/)

[JDL]

I usually have my tablet computer on in the background playing a Youtube music mix for the session. There's plenty of epic fantasy compilations that run for hours. Otherwise get some orchestral game OSTs instead, they're usually quite fitting for the theme.

[Mr.Kraken]

I usually have my tablet computer on in the background playing a Youtube music mix for the session. There's plenty of epic fantasy compilations that run for hours. Otherwise get some orchestral game OSTs instead, they're usually quite fitting for the theme.

We tend to look for songs that match the ambience. Middle-eastern songs for desert towns, animal sounds for farms, imposing martial song for imposing martial city, etc

For battles, we usually go for hard rock instrumental songs.

I'm planning a cyberpunk campaign and the music is going to be an integral part of the game. I plan on having a jazz motif throughout the story, a stark contrast between the dark, gritty scenery and the light, pleasant music.

[Blackhawk748]

I generally use background music. I have a "general battle mix" that i use, but occasionally there is a song that matches a moment perfectly. Also in my buddies first ever campaign (we're playing through it now) each PC gets a theme song. We have 2 Paladins in the group (ok currently im only a Crusader, but hey we're level 1) and we're currently the only ones with theme songs.

Mine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry9CBDGsWtw), My buddy's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW2bqSbbo1g)

Also all of my characters from now on will have theme music, i currently have a Changeling Sorceress whose song is Night Witches (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-16NwCtZv_Q)

[sage20500]

My groups usually use music. I had one dm who did a castlevania themed campaign and incorporated the games soundtrack into our encounters, and our players always like to have some form of a character theme song to play for when ever we do something epic.

Probably one of the most entertaining uses of music was in a 4e campaign i played where i had a spellscared stealthy archer kind of character. I took a feat that gave him ghost sound as an at will power and immediately realised that my character had in game theme music. The dm liked the idea but decided to put a twist on it. Since i was spellscared and did not have arcana trained, he let me put together a list of songs i wanted, and then he added an equal number of troll songs to the list, and when ever i activated ghost sound hed click shuffle and hilarity ensures. There was one tine where the party was having to cross a desert as a skill challenge, and for my roll i ended up motivating our group with a disney sing a long montage.

[JDL]

We had a little competition where we each voted for theme songs for the other characters in our campaign.

The overwhelming verdict was that my characters were best represented by Queen: Another One Bites the Dust.

[BowStreetRunner]

I've had several GMs do this in several different games. It was always interesting, but really the only memorable moment came from a game of Battletech when the GM started playing Ride of the Valkyries and basically re-enacted the scene with the same music from Apocalypse Now only with our Mech brigade as the targets as the enemy aerospace wing swept over us. I watched our entire command lance get slagged in a single bombing run and all of the other officers in the brigade were wiped out as well. No officers survived and as the senior NCO I took command of what remained of the brigade - something less than a single battalion. By the time the entire battle was over, I left that planet in command of a single lance of mechs, Ever since whenever I hear that song I have to chuckle at the memory of that game.

I think music can have a powerful influence at the emotional level in a game, but it has to be done just right.

[Kol Korran]

I actually use music a lot, but I invest quite a bit of time to pick appropriate music (As others have mentioned. You need something "right" for the occasion). Not everything works, but enough stuff do to add the right mood to a scene. I do not like to just add "generic mixes", as these tend to get out of context, and get lost. I prefer to choose fewer moments, but pick something specific for them.

As some have mentioned, it is crucial to have things prepared, so I put direct links to the music into two documents:
- In my notes for the specific area/ encounter/ antagonist/ whatever.
- In a "Play list" document, for the obvious cases the players will change the exact occasion, buthte music can be used.
Direct links, one click away. SUPER important.
Also, I prefer to port Youtube music into the Infinite Looper tool (http://www.infinitelooper.com/) for two reasons: No mood breaking Youtube commercials and of course looping for soem music. Doesn't fully work with everything. I still haven't learned how to create my own "single file" play lists for varying music.

I use music on 4 occasions:
1) Battle music. This is done for specific battles: Boss battles of course, but also battles with a special theme/ twist to them- betrayal, desperation, whimsical and so on.

2) Scene background music: Exploring somewhere creepy, town music, festival and so on.

3) Sound effects: I've started using this only recently, and it is a BIG success- Build up roars of some great dragon, Sounds of a swarm for fighting within it, Or some short "holy sounding" clip for findining an appropriate artifact.

4) Theme song music.



All that said, there is one thing I, as a player, have looked for at a table, and have yet to find - a GM who allows character theme songs. You know how when you watch a series or movie, and a particular character starts to do something awesome, and those first few chords start playing, and you know that this is going to be epic? Or how you hear a few plinks of a harp, and suddenly you know that the mysterious vision from beyond will appear? That sort of thing. Character theme songs, not the whole melody, just a few bars to set up something. I realize that, as mentioned, it distracts and disrupts a bit, but man, that'd be a heck of a thing, wouldn't it?

I've used it not for characters, but for antagonists. In a pirate campaign there was a fleet commander who was hunting down the party. The guy was a sort of a relentless inquisitor (Not the class), well known for his superb rifle and marksmenship skills. This was his theme music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1PfrmCGFnk), and it worked immensely well! The party came to frown and groan whenever these chords came to bear.

There was also another pirate (More heavy metal), nd then another pirate- a half orc barbarian woman, based on Miss Piggy from the muppets (Half comical figure, half terrifying). Due to an unfortunate marriage, a weddignrign which was unknowingly a rings of wishes, she got it that any man who saw her came under a powerful charm effect, to fall in love with her. She got a slew of theme songs. Some play for her, some play for those under the effects! The campaign unfortunately ended before she made an appearance. Still hoping to play her. Link to her songs here, if interested. (http://witchlingislesdm.pbworks.com/w/page/54153267/Miss%20Pretty):smalltongue:
Only one of my players shortly picked a theme song unfortunately. and that just for 2 appearances.

I do find putting effort in music pays. I usually run my own material, but I have started keeping score of mterial i use for my Wrath of the Righteous adventure path. I was surprised by two players in the last session offering music of their own, either to scenes they planned, or as a general inspiration.



Our "The Worldwound Incursion" soundtrack

MusicRelated Scene
United we stand, divided we fall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbtX06ZZ1t8&noredirect=1)Clydewell Plazea battle (Opening battle)
Northern pastures (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_VLtQ-1mdI)Relaxing at Neathholem
Freedom Fighters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP1QHVNHMAE&noredirect=1)Reaching the surface, seeing ruined Kenabres
Atrium Carceri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpmAD4gcLMo&noredirect=1)Ambiance for exploring ruiend Kenabres
Full metal jacket- ruins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEql5rc9X0A)Tension exploring ruined Kenabres
Another Atrium Carceri soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuvy-_F8iw)More exploring Kenabres
Archangel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaJ3WtWOQTw&noredirect=1)Hall of Heroes battle music
Heart of courage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vygZV5n97DU&noredirect=1)Defender's Heart
Colossal (2,000) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO1jKOzs9oY&noredirect=1)Defender's Heart
Quake- Damnation (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=3gVOZnNRcJM)The Grey Garrison- slow
Power of Darkness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcdti-dzPVw)The Grey Garrison- fast paced
Requiem for soprano, mezzo soprano (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=6z2mf0kjEP8)TheGrey Garrison- swarms/ souls. soul swarms
United we stand, divided we fall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbtX06ZZ1t8&noredirect=1)Also for the final battle :smallwink:
To Glory! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9mi__FaFhc&noredirect=1)Final battle
Queen- We are the champions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY&feature=kp)End credits :smallbiggrin:



Our "The Sword of Valor" soundtrack

MusicRelated Scene
Black moon chronicles track 7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbtX06ZZ1t8&noredirect=1"[/URL]Conan- Atlantean sword[/URL]Rebuilding Kenabres (Before the Queen comes)
[URL="http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=jDGcerrBDFk&p=n)Army march music
Fly swarm sounds (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?321974-DM-s-campaign-log-Wrath-Of-The-Righteous-%28PF-amp-spoliers!%29/page3)Vescavor swarm
All drums go to hell- buildingjumper (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=hIqrQR3n_34&p=n)Drezen environs battle music
Dragon roar sound effect (a few roars) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPSx_cSPw_0)Soltengrabbe roars, for build up
Dragon roar sound effect (One roar) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBD63LTJDOA)Soltengrabbe roars, for build up.
Lion roar sound effect (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnuyLcqC5LY)Soltengrabbe roar, for build up.
Some dramatic music (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=6XxmZ3oDpcA)Commander John's trial- dramatic music.
Audiomachine- Kill em all (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=wCtEmXBvuI4&p=n)Soltengrabbe battle music
Attack on titan- Shingeki no Kyojin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5HBuZCc3us)Soltengrabbe battle music
Dark Ages (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=U0Dx3itM_q4&p=n)Final attack on Drezen
Heart of courage- extended (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=XYKUeZQbMF0&p=n)After conquering Drezen, before the Citadel
Blackblade- 2 steps from hell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvDmhW4GziU)Gate of Drezen battle
Fallout New Vegas- End theme (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=c5PzaJELAJI)Exploring Drezen
The Grisly Grotto- Quake 1 (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=z4dPXQ8YFJI&p=n)Exploring Drezen
Dragon age- 63 Deep roads Explore (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=68yHJWgUm8c&p=n)Exploring Drezen
Titan dune, 2 steps from hell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeIRhZmWy3g)Drezen battle music
Mercy in Darkness- 2 steps from hell (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=ScAVPpD-QWg&p=n)Sword of Valor
The hall of souls- Quake 1 (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=xAgZ5XWXiMA&p=n)Whispers od madness0- Dungeon/ "Inside" Drezen
He who brings the night- 2 steps from hell (http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=CJlLVYWT-Hc&p=n)Shadow Demon fight
Blackblade- 2 steps from hell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvDmhW4GziU)Staunton Vhane battle

[Thurbane]

Some of what I've used:

Danzig: Black Aria (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weRD7bCIoJ0)
Aliens soundtrack (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQ63XNfXeQ)
Classical Moods: Power (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classical-Moods-Power-Various/dp/B000024A75)
Midnight Syndicate: Dungeons and Dragons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNdGg4PeS5s&list=PLa2i5VEgDNoP8C4euicYkqketcvhoAHQg)

[Crake]

One of my favorite ideas, if I ever have the chance to use it as a DM, would actually be somewhat elaborate. Each of the PCs would have his theme song, and the player would have permission to play it himself when he's about to do something awesome. That way, I don't have to pause the game to find the song, the player is ready with it. But wait, there's more.

At some point, one of the PCs makes a noble sacrifice. This is the part I haven't had happen in game, and it's kind of necessary for the setup, so that's why I haven't been able to do this yet. The PC makes a noble sacrifice, dies, passes on, snuffs it, doesn't respond to revives, do not pass go, do not collect $200, the show's over. Player rolls a new character, we move on.

At some later point, party is facing a BBEG. Upon a predetermined signal with the player whose PC died nobly, I hit play. It's the dead PC's theme song. Beam of light, presumed-dead PC is back, and has a power-up (appropriate, since the other PCs would have leveled up since) and rejoins the fight.

That's what I'm talking about. That moment when the other players recognize the music and know what's coming? That's priceless.

While I quite like this sentiment I feel like using an out of game mechanism for it ruins it a little bit, because, while the players may recognise the music, the characters still have no indication. I would much rather use an in game mechanism, some kind of theme, like a character's flair of some kind. Something the characters can recognise along with the players

[lsfreak]

The only time I've seriously considered playing music was, without informing the players or making any note of it, putting on a bit of the Quake soundtrack very softly during a particularly nightmary session. Ideally they wouldn't have even noticed it until I stopped playing it, but I didn't end up trying it out due to problems getting it set up where we played. Other than that, I've never really considered it - given my current group I'm sure it would end up distracting, and in the past I've also justified it that I'd rather spend the time making sure the background music works on something more directly relevant to the game.

[Reprimand]

Hi, guys, quick question. When my group plays, we (as in the DM) always provide some sort of background music, something to match the scene or battle taking place. One of our guys played with another group that didn't have the same tradition and he felt that his experience was lacking in a way. So, bringing the issue to the board, do you play background music in your sessions? If not, why not? And if you have played both with and without background music, which do you prefer?

A nice theme for walking around town doing nothing really important would be the Onett theme from Earthbound. It's super catchy too!

[Sian]

been playing both with and without background music, and the best background music tend to be either soundtrack from fantasy movies/video games, or dipping toes into the (symphonic) Heavy Metal, especially good is the Heavy Mithril (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeavyMithril) such as Rhapsody of Fire or Within Temptation, or some of the older Nightwish (pre-Once)

But ALWAYS keep it on a rather low volume, so it can easily be talked over without raising your voice, and are able to whisper things to each other if need be or hearing other 'audio cues' such as if people are rolling their dice or the like.

[Hiro Quester]

But ALWAYS keep it on a rather low volume, so it can easily be talked over without raising your voice, and are able to whisper things to each other if need be or hearing other 'audio cues' such as if people are rolling their dice or the like.

This. In a group of 6 people, it sometimes gets hard to hear some details. Music can ad to the ambiance, bit it can also make it hard to r=hear important details of a description of a scene or a character's actions.

[Michael7123]

Generally when I play, I like having atmospheric background when I play. If I'm in a burning city where the commoners are being slaughtered by orcs, I want to hear the sounds of pillage.

One of my favorite sessions was when we just played the game of thrones soundtrack over the campaign. The music fitted what we were doing to the letter. It worked perfectly.

In my current campaign, we always play "mmm what you say" anytime someone dies. It goes better than you might expect.

[Chester]

When I played way back in the '90s, a friend had the Medieval Times "soundtrack" and played that. It added some atmosphere.

Now, we play on Roll20. It has a jukebox, but generally, it becomes a distraction. Background music is supplied by individuals.

[aspekt]

The one and only time I did this I played the opening scene of Philip Glass' 'Akhnaten' for the ascension of a gold dragon. It's the funeral for Akhnaten's father and portions of the Egyptian Book of the Dead are read. It's actually a fairly moving piece all on it's own.

Jump ahead to right before 9:00 for the spoken text.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ql8TidvZto

[M Placeholder]

I'm DMing a Dark Sun game, and I use parts of the soundtracks of Planescape Torment, Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, some ambient desert soundtracks and "Lost Sun Dance" by Spirit Caravan at the beginning to set the mood and soundtrack the game. It's dissapointing that Black Isle never made a counterpart to Planescape Torment or Baldurs Gate set in the Dark Sun setting. If there was, I would have used that soundtrack.

[aspekt]

I'm DMing a Dark Sun game, and I use parts of the soundtracks of Planescape Torment, Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, some ambient desert soundtracks and "Lost Sun Dance" by Spirit Caravan at the beginning to set the mood and soundtrack the game. It's dissapointing that Black Isle never made a counterpart to Planescape Torment or Baldurs Gate set in the Dark Sun setting. If there was, I would have used that soundtrack.

Ico has some great stuff in it from what I've listened to.

Although my favorite piece was a fan tribute not using the original soundtrack, but a piece by a group called the Medieval Baebes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BDfWFJnzzw4

[endur]

Great Thread. I need to use music more often.

[Mr.Kraken]

My group also has the tradition of picking theme songs for the campaign as a whole. Some of them:

The gates of the Abyss are open (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j97WR_slydY)
Skyage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9jP8wBDHbo)
The Demon Prince (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fgEP06_IQc) (this one provided some awesomely tense atmosphere every time he appeared)