Does anyone add audio to their games? Maybe music or ambiences in the background. Anyone prefer it or does it detract?
Is it something you’ve tried and it didn’t work for your group?
There are ways to add these things to online play but I have a feeling that online isn’t as much an obstacle as just a general lack of interest in the format.
I have a set up for f2f games. I use playlists built for particular games. I play these on shuffle at a pretty low volume. It fills in on quiet moments. If you’re listening as a GM, sometimes you can pace to the music. But I start the playlist before the game begins and never muck with it during play. I know some people who’ve tried to “DJ” during games and it was just irritating and distracting.
I have a set up for f2f games. I use playlists built for particular games. I play these on shuffle at a pretty low volume. It fills in on quiet moments. If you’re listening as a GM, sometimes you can pace to the music. But I start the playlist before the game begins and never muck with it during play. I know some people who’ve tried to “DJ” during games and it was just irritating and distracting.
It’s super easy to embed a YouTube video in play-by-forum games. Asking for personal theme songs is fun for PCs.
It’s super easy to embed a YouTube video in play-by-forum games. Asking for personal theme songs is fun for PCs.
Second everything Lowell Francis said
Second everything Lowell Francis said
I have ambient stuff going on in roll20 sometimes, there’s some decent stuff on there for sure, for free.
I have ambient stuff going on in roll20 sometimes, there’s some decent stuff on there for sure, for free.
I’ve done the same thing that Lowell Francis mentioned, but dropped it after several sessions. Setting it up before the game became more of a distraction than it was worth.
I’ve done the same thing that Lowell Francis mentioned, but dropped it after several sessions. Setting it up before the game became more of a distraction than it was worth.
Ambient music, Fraser Simons? Or ambient soundscapes, textures?
Ambient music, Fraser Simons? Or ambient soundscapes, textures?
If the group is already animated/loud, I find music annoying. Otherwise it’s fine. But frankly, unless you are smooth with it, don’t use it. Too many long pauses during the game to queue up sound gets annoying.
If the group is already animated/loud, I find music annoying. Otherwise it’s fine. But frankly, unless you are smooth with it, don’t use it. Too many long pauses during the game to queue up sound gets annoying.
I like character theme songs, and as a GM I like opening themes, sometimes closing music, and rarely music for special events or encounters. Actually, that last part is much less frequent as I’ve moved from planned toward improv. Also this is F2F. I’ve not done much online and never used music online
I like character theme songs, and as a GM I like opening themes, sometimes closing music, and rarely music for special events or encounters. Actually, that last part is much less frequent as I’ve moved from planned toward improv. Also this is F2F. I’ve not done much online and never used music online
Music, they have interpreted tabletop music annnnd a couple other sites. It’s hit and miss but there are some good stuff on there, depending on the tone. It’s too bad they lost SoundCloud integration, that was amazing.
Music, they have interpreted tabletop music annnnd a couple other sites. It’s hit and miss but there are some good stuff on there, depending on the tone. It’s too bad they lost SoundCloud integration, that was amazing.
… Contrarian cranky old man whose hearing isn’t what it used to be opinion. You’re welcome. 🙂
… Contrarian cranky old man whose hearing isn’t what it used to be opinion. You’re welcome. 🙂
I need all the opinions, Ray Otus ! Thanks 🙂
I need all the opinions, Ray Otus ! Thanks 🙂
I use tabletopaudio.com – Tabletop Audio – Premium Ambient Audio
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with what sounds are available, it can be a great mood enhancer and can communicate certain cues non-verbally. My players know when they hear the war drums that the threat of combat is real, or “Eerie Tone 1” will put them on the look out for something watching them.
It’s best if you don’t try to match every action in the game to the sound, but rather let the looping feature create ambience for the current scene. I love it and my players do too!
I usually place a bluetooth speaker under the table so the sound is never interfering with the table.
I use tabletopaudio.com – Tabletop Audio – Premium Ambient Audio
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with what sounds are available, it can be a great mood enhancer and can communicate certain cues non-verbally. My players know when they hear the war drums that the threat of combat is real, or “Eerie Tone 1” will put them on the look out for something watching them.
It’s best if you don’t try to match every action in the game to the sound, but rather let the looping feature create ambience for the current scene. I love it and my players do too!
I usually place a bluetooth speaker under the table so the sound is never interfering with the table.
+1 for tabletop audio.
For home games I usually plug a laptop into my tv for slides (or combat trackers) so the audio just plays through the tv. Also handy if a sick player is skyping in.
+1 for tabletop audio.
For home games I usually plug a laptop into my tv for slides (or combat trackers) so the audio just plays through the tv. Also handy if a sick player is skyping in.
F2F I love background music. I don’t normally mess with it much, just set it and forget it. If I had a active face to face group, I’d get into some of the sound generator programs for RPGs that are out there.
However, hearing is sometimes an issue in online play, so I haven’t considred messing with it much. I played with my old f2f group via skype, and they played music in the room they were all in. I couldn’t hear it or the sound effects unless they were very loud, thanks to Skype’s noise cancelling features.
F2F I love background music. I don’t normally mess with it much, just set it and forget it. If I had a active face to face group, I’d get into some of the sound generator programs for RPGs that are out there.
However, hearing is sometimes an issue in online play, so I haven’t considred messing with it much. I played with my old f2f group via skype, and they played music in the room they were all in. I couldn’t hear it or the sound effects unless they were very loud, thanks to Skype’s noise cancelling features.
Generic background music for sure straight from youtube. I used a looped rainstorm track for a zombie apocalypse game set during an epic downpour. Was very effective.
Generic background music for sure straight from youtube. I used a looped rainstorm track for a zombie apocalypse game set during an epic downpour. Was very effective.
I use syrinscape for f2f.
I use syrinscape for f2f.
I’ve been heavily invested in using music for several of my games. I even went so far as to have a musical adventure in Mage/Changling which culminated in my players in a sing off vs the evil Queen of Winter. We use Youtube links in our chat. A lot of my planning process revolves around listening to songs and often an artist will become a template for the NPC. I then use the song as an intro to the character or as a sting in a big moment.
Truthfully I sort of over used it at first and had to exercise more discipline as time went on. I’ve started working harder to plan my spots for the beginning or end of a session. I also try to not pull it out too often, just to really add something to a big moment. It can lose it’s impact with overuse. I learned that the hard way.
When I do live games I like some suitable background music(the Battlestar Galactica soundtrack works great) , but don’t do it much online. We have audio troubles enough without trying to add a constant background sound. Roll20 does have a background music player but I don’t use it very often.
I’ve been heavily invested in using music for several of my games. I even went so far as to have a musical adventure in Mage/Changling which culminated in my players in a sing off vs the evil Queen of Winter. We use Youtube links in our chat. A lot of my planning process revolves around listening to songs and often an artist will become a template for the NPC. I then use the song as an intro to the character or as a sting in a big moment.
Truthfully I sort of over used it at first and had to exercise more discipline as time went on. I’ve started working harder to plan my spots for the beginning or end of a session. I also try to not pull it out too often, just to really add something to a big moment. It can lose it’s impact with overuse. I learned that the hard way.
When I do live games I like some suitable background music(the Battlestar Galactica soundtrack works great) , but don’t do it much online. We have audio troubles enough without trying to add a constant background sound. Roll20 does have a background music player but I don’t use it very often.
I want to amend my earlier comment. 🙂 When I do use music, it’s kind of a dedicated event or whatever. I don’t use any background music or sounds while the game proper is happening.
I want to amend my earlier comment. 🙂 When I do use music, it’s kind of a dedicated event or whatever. I don’t use any background music or sounds while the game proper is happening.
I do, but very quietly, and in the background. It’s not carefully keyed up soundtracks to the game; it’s just a very slight accompaniment for ambiance that might otherwise be lost during the quiet stretches when folks are thinking.
I do, but very quietly, and in the background. It’s not carefully keyed up soundtracks to the game; it’s just a very slight accompaniment for ambiance that might otherwise be lost during the quiet stretches when folks are thinking.
As a GM I can’t do it, but I like it when a player does the ambient sound DJ. As they don’t often volunteer, I guess it’s not important enough and low volume Elder Scrolls and similar music is what plays in the background.
As a GM I can’t do it, but I like it when a player does the ambient sound DJ. As they don’t often volunteer, I guess it’s not important enough and low volume Elder Scrolls and similar music is what plays in the background.
I don’t like music when I play or GM. I find it way too distracting. The exception is when music is integrated into the game’s mechanics, as in Ribbon Drive or Spirit of 77.
I don’t like music when I play or GM. I find it way too distracting. The exception is when music is integrated into the game’s mechanics, as in Ribbon Drive or Spirit of 77.
Yes, that’s a good exception. I once did a “psychobilly alt-80s” game of Unknown Armies that began with the soundtrack. the songs were used to set tone and smooth over fast-forward style scene changes. (It was a con one-shot.) I would play about 40 seconds of the song after a big scene or when we came back from break to ease into the next scene. After the song got going, I’d drop the volume slowly (until it was barely audible) while I set the scene and then it was into play. So I guess those songs were very “forward” in their presentation – game content and not background music at all.
Yes, that’s a good exception. I once did a “psychobilly alt-80s” game of Unknown Armies that began with the soundtrack. the songs were used to set tone and smooth over fast-forward style scene changes. (It was a con one-shot.) I would play about 40 seconds of the song after a big scene or when we came back from break to ease into the next scene. After the song got going, I’d drop the volume slowly (until it was barely audible) while I set the scene and then it was into play. So I guess those songs were very “forward” in their presentation – game content and not background music at all.
In my f2f games I’ve often had playlists selected from various film, game and TV soundtracks. Whether it works really depends on the players at the table. Some find it distracting or annoying, others like the added atmosphere it creates.
I will say one thing though, if you’re going to do it, make sure the music is appropriate. No Terminator 2 music if you’re running a fantasy game, for instance.
In my f2f games I’ve often had playlists selected from various film, game and TV soundtracks. Whether it works really depends on the players at the table. Some find it distracting or annoying, others like the added atmosphere it creates.
I will say one thing though, if you’re going to do it, make sure the music is appropriate. No Terminator 2 music if you’re running a fantasy game, for instance.
I’ve also used Syrinscape for f2f with excellent results. I tend to keep the music volume pretty low and rely on it more for ambient sound and the occasional effect. And the Wilhelm Scream, of course. It’s not a party until an NPC utters the Wilhelm Scream and plunges to his doom.
I’ve also used Syrinscape for f2f with excellent results. I tend to keep the music volume pretty low and rely on it more for ambient sound and the occasional effect. And the Wilhelm Scream, of course. It’s not a party until an NPC utters the Wilhelm Scream and plunges to his doom.
After Soundcloud got…de-integrated from Roll20 my ST started using Rabbit to plug into a youtube playlist for ambient music (90s LA setting). It works because even though it is another log in, everyone has individual levels of sound, and it doesn’t trigger Skype’s irritating ‘focus in on background noise’ thing.
After Soundcloud got…de-integrated from Roll20 my ST started using Rabbit to plug into a youtube playlist for ambient music (90s LA setting). It works because even though it is another log in, everyone has individual levels of sound, and it doesn’t trigger Skype’s irritating ‘focus in on background noise’ thing.