Audio aids?

[DarkJester]

Does anyone use any audio aids in there games? I've used visual aids (pictures of ruins, people, or other places) to good effect in the past, and now I'm curious to the use of audio aids to set the mood. I'm looking to use some basic stuff really, maybe tavern sounds (Chatter, music etc), or some background ambience for some moments.

Have any of you used audio aids? What kinds, and to what effect?

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

Yes, I sometimes use sounds. I've found about 80 different short wave sounds and mp3 audio files from various places on the net. They range from creaking doors, restaurant (tavern), growling, coins clinking, swords clanging, footsteps, water dripping, thunder, and an arrow hitting something. With my laptop, I like to throw them in a game every once in a while

We also use various soundtracks (Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Batman Begins, etc.) as background music.

 

[Nikroecyst]

Midnight Syndicate does the best backround music for dungeon crawling. I too have found various sound effects and applied them to my games. Up untill recently I never played any rpg without music or sound effects.

The best sound effects I've done was an episode the pcs were creeping through a very disturbing haunted house. I found a wav file of a heartbeat. Every time they were near a paticular pivitol discovery they heard the heart beating. Slowly at first, giving them some time to look around. Then it would speed up and when it stopped the combat encounters ensued.

I recomend that EVERY dm use some kind of audio, be it music or just sound effects. Every one involved tends to have a better feal for the paticular moods you are trying to set throughout your game sessions.

 

[TarionzCousin]

A friend of mine was DM'ing a Star Trek game that went wayyyyyy beyond the furthest edge of known space. The players began seeing strange things that seemed kinda familiar. Just when the captain of the ship said "Hey, I think I kn--" the DM unpaused the CD on the stereo that blurted out the theme from Star Wars at full volume.

They all said that they laughed for 15 minutes straight.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Audio effects are great when used properly - I've had some great successes! But they get in the way if used improperly - I've had some tremendous failures...

If you really want to bring them in hook line and sinker, pair up the audio with olfactory, yep a couple bottles of scents will cause them to talk about your game for years to come.

 

[ThorneMD]

Would anyone be willing to send me a zipped file of these short sound files they use. Or point me in the direction of where I can find them. I've been wanting to use audio aids, but can't seem to find the sound files to do it.

If you would be so nice to send over a zipped file, please send it to Ares0415@yahoo.com