Thanks for this thread, I enjoyed reading it because it reminded me of the time I was playing RPGs in the 80s and 90s - mainly AD&D and Call of Cthulhu.

In regards to using music to create an atmosphere (in addition to lighting) I started with a CD player that could only play one disc at a time, so frustratingly had to swap. Then in the 90s I got a multi-disc player. Now I use the magic of Spotify bluetoothed to speakers and I have an RPG folder which contains a selection of sounds and tunes to fit in with a specific game - mainly horror-based.

For me, however, I make sure that the music is varied (never from a computer game - even though some of theme are beautiful - and this is because I personally feel that they all sound the same - just my personal opinion) and that the tracks are intermingled with the sounds of wind, bells ringing and wolves howling, all the usual clichés.

My first few tracks in my Spotify folder contains the sounds of people drinking and chatting in a tavern, or medieval songs being played, or the sound of wood crackling in a fire. Just to get the players into a comfortable and well understood environment where players can sort out their characters prior to play OR where the game actually starts with a stranger walking through the door etc.

I'm sure I'm not the only player or DM who has found that certain tracks coincidentally reflect the PCs actions - which brings lots of laughter to the table. So maybe it's the second track from Carpenter's 'The Fog' followed by a track from the soundtrack of the 'The Exorcist' which is skin tingling. Then after tension we need calm for a bit, so my choice of music reflects a piece of writing in that it helps to generate tension but also helps to relieve it. I don't play a game without an atmosphere.

all I can add is, make sure the music used doesn't have vocals... I swear my players have the attention span of gnats and will start listening to the lyrics...

Dont care for music or other distractions during play. Never have.

Thank you for including Celestial Aeon Project in the list <3 Just wanted to join in and mention that I have composed custom music for my own campaigns and released all the music for free (Creative Commons non-commercial licence) throughout the years. You can find my epic music / fantasy music portfolio on Spotify, Jamendo and Youtube. I hope most of the music can bring inspiring moments to your playlists as well!

Celestial Aeon Project on Spotify
Celestial Aeon Project on Youtube
Celestial Aeon Project on Jamendo

Quote from: NYTFLYR;1062178all I can add is, make sure the music used doesn't have vocals... I swear my players have the attention span of gnats and will start listening to the lyrics...

Agreed there.

I'll fire up Pandora to an Atrium Carceri channel, that usually does the trick.

As my Wild West campaign has proceeded, I've been playing for people the most popular songs of each game year in the United States, so they have a sense of what was in style.

The funny thing is that it's not always what people expect.

In 1878, it was Aloha Oe

In 1880 it was Funiculi Funicula

In 1881 it was "My bonnie lies over the ocean", which at least seems a bit more on point.