PDA

View Full Version : Ambient music for roleplaying games



NorseItalian
2008-06-01, 12:31 PM
When playing DnD or other roleplaying games, do you play any sort of music to get the players into the game? If so, what kind?

I like to use the ambient music from "Neverwinter Nights." Some of the battle music is annoyingly repetitive, but the ambient stuff feels very DnDish.

Oh, and in case anyone is interested, you can download that music (and other video game soundtracks) from the following website: http://downloads.khinsider.com/?u=358435

Your thoughts?

The Necroswanso
2008-06-01, 12:34 PM
I simply play music in the background because I like to play music while playing games.

I have Heavy Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, and Hair Metal.

Dragor
2008-06-01, 12:34 PM
I agree. Neverwinter Nights has some crackers of music in it. The intro music always sends a shudder down my spine- it has that epic feel to it.
Thank you for the link.

Azerian Kelimon
2008-06-01, 12:35 PM
THIS. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1c05_yXmaI)

Go ahead, find something better than that.

Cainen
2008-06-01, 12:45 PM
THIS. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1c05_yXmaI)

This song has been eternally ruined by Turkish Star Wars, and I can't listen to it without laughing because of that.

Adumbration
2008-06-01, 12:45 PM
There's also the soundtrack of Icewind Dales. That's pretty good as well - some real thrillers in it.

Daracaex
2008-06-01, 12:51 PM
There's also the soundtrack of Icewind Dales. That's pretty good as well - some real thrillers in it.

I love the music from those games, but I can't find it anywhere.:smallfrown:

EDIT: Heck yes! I love you NorseItalian! It's on the site you just linked to! I've been searching for ages.

Bayar
2008-06-01, 12:52 PM
The soundtrack from Morrowind.

brant167
2008-06-01, 02:05 PM
I require every pc have a "theme song" which I play when its there characters turn to shine. However I do the same thing with npcs; in my tueday night game my main npc is a demigod of war and honorable deaths so http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pw0jvqx1mNU plays when he is the focus on the story. For basic background I have a about 50 songs, mostly classical stuff with a bit of death metal played in when combat is going on.

NorseItalian
2008-06-01, 02:14 PM
I require every pc have a "theme song" which I play when its there characters turn to shine. However I do the same thing with npcs; in my tueday night game my main npc is a demigod of war and honorable deaths so http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pw0jvqx1mNU plays when he is the focus on the story. For basic background I have a about 50 songs, mostly classical stuff with a bit of death metal played in when combat is going on.

I LOVE Holst's "The Planets," I used to play it in my games all the time.

Tough_Tonka
2008-06-01, 02:14 PM
I used the Kotor II & Shadow of the Colossus Soundtrack during my Saga campaign. The Shadow of the Colossus music was reserved for boss fights. I also used some some music from Super Mario Galaxies, one of the techno remixes of the classic mario tunes, during a scene in at a Dance Club :smallbiggrin:.

monty
2008-06-01, 02:19 PM
Basically anything from the 80's seems to work for us pretty well.

RTGoodman
2008-06-01, 02:27 PM
None of my groups have ever really done much with music, but I try to when I DM (if I remember). I think last time I used music the only stuff I had on hand that fit was the Return of the King soundtrack and the Halo soundtracks, and that worked out well.

Also, I just discovered a song the other day that could work, if only because it's one of the most beautiful and haunting songs I've ever heard. It's a Bulgarian folk song called, as far as I can tell, "Izlel e Delio Haidutin." There are a couple of versions on YouTube, one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycdn75RbuuE) by the winner of Bulgarian Idol and another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipb_xzcCs6I) by Valia Balkanska. If I can find more Eastern European folk music, that may end up being my D&D music.

Azerian Kelimon
2008-06-01, 02:31 PM
Most prog rock has a place as ambient music, since it has frequent swings between active and passive, upbeat and moody.

But Thick as a Brick (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzze87ZilQk) takes the cake. It's amazing, with or without vocals, as it covers an extremely wide spectrum.

ChaosDefender24
2008-06-01, 03:07 PM
Black Metal, Death Metal

The only way to go

Edan
2008-06-01, 03:19 PM
I am lazy. I take my music library and hit shuffle all and let it go. It mostly works out due to the high volume of rock and jazz in there. It did get awkward when the party was playing devils' advocate and were about to assassinate someone when The Mormon Tabernacle Choir comes on singing My Country Tis of Thee.

One time however, someone had on Beehtoven's 9th Symphony on. Nothing beats a rigorous fight then the choral finale of Ode To Joy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_5z0m7cs0A).

Azerian Kelimon
2008-06-01, 03:24 PM
One time however, someone had on Beehtoven's 9th Symphony on. Nothing beats a rigorous fight then the choral finale of Ode To Joy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_5z0m7cs0A).

You sure you want to get me started on that? I have half a dozen ideas already about better things.

RoboticSheeple
2008-06-01, 04:59 PM
You sure you want to get me started on that? I have half a dozen ideas already about better things.

I'm sure you do:smallsigh: but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Azerian Kelimon
2008-06-01, 05:05 PM
I'm sure you do:smallsigh: but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Yeah, of course, but the point of that post is: Don't be so categorical. If it's your opinion, use the friendly old Grammar guy to make clear that it is.

The Ode to Joy ranks high on the list of good all round combat songs, though. :smallwink:

Cainen
2008-06-01, 08:58 PM
BBEG fight to the USSR National Anthem. Boy was that weird.

Ned the undead
2008-06-01, 09:45 PM
The soundtrack from Morrowind.

Good choice.
If they ever make another DnD mmorg then skills need work just like that.
Obviously they have to tinker with the coding to incorporate skill ranks and cross class skills.

Klose_the_Sith
2008-06-01, 11:52 PM
There can only be one place to get your Ambience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8akmP6Sjv2o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcg9JybEp8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-2w9b8i7GU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYxrdrzmuUw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGt4J9oBKKo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9aY2CLrGx4&feature=related

They fit a mixed mournful and vengeful campaign

Archetype-
2008-06-02, 12:38 AM
Y'know, I'm surprised no one's mentioned Battlelore. There's a good number of songs by them to pick from, including Storm of the Blades (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARvNNIU0RFw) and House of Heroes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBzZLewtLAA&feature=related). Now tell me that you wouldn't be glad to have that playing during your epic battle scene?

I also like to have a little band called The Black Mages playing while the game's going on. For other nerdy music, I also drop by OverClocked ReMix (http://www.ocremix.org/) occasionally. Lots of gems to be found there.

If you don't mind old-school MIDI music, there's a great program you can download for free called RPG Maker 2003. Yes, I am aware that it's primary purpose is exactly what the name implies. It has some decent ambient music for pretty much any occasion on it, though.

That's all I can think of for now. I'm certain I'll think of more after this post is up.

-Archetype

Solo
2008-06-02, 12:45 AM
I prefer something nice and gentle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU)for my players.

Albonor
2008-06-02, 01:57 AM
I prefer something nice and gentle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU)for my players.

The horse first. You? A close second.