Music at the table

[Necro_EX]

Pretty sure the old one's dead by this point so, here goes.

In this thread we discuss the role music plays at the table.

I've read some interesting little bits here and there on the net talking about this subject and have decided to have some music at my table when I run a game. I've found it has been a lovely touch to whatever game we're in at the moment, helps fill out some of those pauses, and can really help set the mood. I've read something about having a campaign-specific intro theme and how that can really help some players get in the mood. I haven't yet tried this because the players I have get into it pretty well on their own, but I am interested to hear how that works out for other people as this group won't be permanent, I'm sure.

Also, I would be interested in getting some suggestions.

See, I'm running a BESM game set in the Outlaw Star universe (If you're not familiar with Outlaw Star, I would definitely suggest giving it a watch. It will definitely be worth the time.) and I'm wanting to get some music together so I will have some for just about any situation. Mostly I'm looking for anything with a heavy electronic feel for this breakcore, jungle and the like. So, if anyone knows anything that might fit well that would be awesome. :3
I'll try to give suggestions for anyone else that's looking.

EDIT: At the moment, I have a lot of Renard, NegaRen, The Queenstons, and Mayhem.
Which all happen to be the same guy.

[Scarlet-Devil]

Well, I'm not too familiar with much electronic music, but you might want to check out a little Susumu Hirasawa for the heck of it. In general I think that songs with lyrics tend to not be very good for gaming, but still, if you want a surreal feeling for space travel...

Spoiler

Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n-c0uQuycs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuPkh...eature=related

[Necro_EX]

Hm...Might be able to find a use for these at the table. Thanks for that. :3

[Radar]

My choices might not be exactly like that, but you might give Ghost in The Shell a try: 1, 2, 3. Each movie and series has a different style, so plenty to choose from.

Macross is usually more into symphonic music, but there are some compositions, that might fit: 1, 2, 3.

This is vastly different shade of electronic music (much more omnious and darker in tone), but I wouldn't be myself, if I didn't mention Vangelis's work for Blade Runner.

Daft Punk is also a good place to look for music: 1, 2, 3.

Not quite electronic, but this particular song from Madlax might be interesting.

[NikitaDarkstar]

Just make sure it's music all your players actually enjoy. I had a DM that loved playing Marilyn Manson when he ran a CoC game... while it was suitably dark, it ended up completely ruining the game for a few of us players since we couldn't stand the music.

Anyway it's not very electronic, but see if the group Midnight Syndicate has something that appeals to you, they make very mood-setting music, even made a "soundtrack" for Dungeons and dragons. Otherwise Jesper Kyd (Assassins Creed soundtracks) might appeal to you, or possibly ALI PROJECT (.HACK//Roots soundtracks), or Kajiura Yuki (.HACK//Sign soundtracks.).

I'm not sure if they quite fit the electronic feel you want, but you might find some gems anyway.

[Necro_EX]

I'll definitely get around to looking into everything suggested so far. The .Hack//roots soundtrack was pretty boss especially. I'll likely grab some from there.

As far as the players enjoying it...I know one will, the other's well...
I don't really know, he'll probably enjoy the heavier stuff, I suppose.

[Worlok]

Not sure if on topic, but my first DM had only one standing houserule: "If it's epic enough to make background music by Manowar seem appropriate, forget about rules and just do it." That was a good campaign. Weird, yes. But good.

[Thyrian]

Music for me is not a must but it is preferred thing to have. I've got a growing collection of pieces, mostly non vocal that I take and re-name and add to a growing folder, (renamed so that actual name can still be found under properties). I then type in say "duel" to the folder search and it gives me things like

-final duel
-death duel
-a new duel

Susumu Hirasawa's stuff was my own introduction to music while running a game, his Berserk track specifically was goddamn amazing. Since then I've been incorporating whatever I can find into my reservoir, the soundtrack to "Frozen Synapse" works well and I regularly take the Extra Credits outro tunes.

The games are possible without music if I can't find music or no-one else has any good ideas, we can all easily go on without music but if you really really want to drive a mood home hard? Music, it might even be a style of music you normally would never touch (in my case, Gregorian chant) but it helps soooo damn much.

[Jjeinn-tae]

While it is Touhou, Radiant Radiant Symphony might be good for you. Purely instrumental so you do not have to worry about Japanese singing, but it has a decently futuristic/factory sound to it. Might be good if the players go into a facility or enemy ship and things go wrong.


Outlaw Star... Need to watch that again.

[Werekat]

Ooh, Outlaw Star. Loved the soundtrack from that: we actually use if at out table.

That said, the first thing that jumps to mind is Apollo 440 - here, here, or here.

If you're not adverse to lighter electronica, Eurhythmics should work.

[Radar]

I dug through my memory of game soundtracks and found this:
1. Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (you might want to browse through other works by Alexander Brandon) for a distinctively lighter feel. Tyrian soundtrack didn't age that well unfortunately (it's still good, but drawbacks of MIDI format are quite noticeable).

2. Descent and Descent 2, although they aren't as lighthearted.

[Necro_EX]

These suggestions are all pretty nice. :D

Good thing too, because it was starting to look like all the music I was going to have was going to be from Lapfoxtrax.

[Radar]

Shifted my gears again and got to remember, that Yuki Kajiura had exactly the right songs if .Hack//roots is suitable:
1, 2, 3, 4.
She also did those:
1, 2, 3.

I love music threads.