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Music to code by?

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by ed woychowsky

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Ok, with the advent of digital music players a great deal has been said about listening to music at work. However, nobody has ever mention what music goes with which activity. An example of this would be that I listen to either Pink Floyd or The Grateful Dead when coding XSLT. JavaScript, however, goes better with Jethro Tull, but C# requires Led Zepplin or Blue Oyster Cult.

What music do you listen to?

52 replies

by jaqui

I only ever listen to Mannheim Steamroller's Fresh Aire series when working on the computer.

and not in mp3 format, I use the amercian gramophone produced cds to listen to them...
naturally ripped onto the hard drive, but I do have the store bought cds of the songs.

go figure, it's even legal to download mp3s on a p2p here, yet I go buy my music.

by jdclyde

to a point at least.

Lots of instramentalists. Vinne Moore, satriani, vai, jeff beck (rock), joe beck (jazz), freidman, and many more.

Clapton is always good as long as a more upbeat, agressive mood is called for.

80's metal, 90's (not grunge), and some of the more agressive metal of today.

by stargazerr

I basicallly listen to anything that will block the sales people's voices (They are particularily loud on the phones) while I am trying to make a deadline.

]:)

by jmgarvin

I tend to listen to heavy metal and throw in a little hair metal for good measure.

I'll listen to classical if I have to REALLY concentrate, or if I'm feeling pretty mellow.

The one song that typically finds its way into my rotation is "The System is Down" from Strongbad

by oz_media

Judging by your avatar, I can see why you treasure hair bands, those were the good ole days. ;) OUCH!!!!

Just having a fun poke, no real offense intended.

by bart.boone

Casanova, Black 'N' Blue, The Darkness!
Manowar, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall!

And when I still need more energy: Arch Enemy, Dimmu Borgir and Mudvayne.

by mjwx

Silverchair, Oasis, Grinspoon and occasionally the Doors.

I try not to listen to anything angry (Like Metallica) at work because of the risk of me killing one of the users (I would also try and avoid something too depressing, like Manson).

I'm not a programmer but am currently learning a bit of Java. I don?t listen to music when I'm learning Java as I begin to think that dropping out and learning the guitar is a really good idea.

by ed woychowsky

The Allan Parsons Project has a CD, Tales of Mystery and Imagination, which is based upon the works of Edgar Allen Poe. It is very good for getting one in the correct mindset for dealing with users, particularly the track ?The Cast Of Amontillado?.

by realvdude

Here I thought that knowledge of their obscure album was consigned to a dark corner of the internet. Unfortunately my only media of this work (an original cassette) mysteriously contains nothing anymore. Watching for a cheap CD to become available on eBay or the like.

by bfilmfan

Might I recommend the "Imperial March," by John Williams?

This is better known as Darth Vader's theme....

by oz_media

Usually, when I start a new job, I can see the faces in horror as I unpack my Altec Lansing surround sound system with 200W sub woofer.

I usually start off with a little heavy metal, just to see who still remembers the old 80's metal and after that it's just a plethora of sound.

I love to play classical at work, people are used to hearing me play metal. But I'll throw in the Jazz fusion, a little reggae and the oldies are always crooning fun too.

For KICKS, I like to play East Indian or Chinese music at high volumes. Nothing more fun than dancing around the office whil esinging Indian songs;(screw in the lightbulb dance, shovel the dirt dance etc.) anyone who knows Indian dances will know those without further explanation.

Why be simple, keep 'em on their toes and questioning your sanity, eventually they will question their own sanity. That's when you can really have fun. :)

by ed woychowsky

I've noticed something about using speakers at work, it is really amazing just how may people know all of the words to Alice's Restaurant.

by oz_media

On using speakers. I used to have people come to my office and ask me to turn it down (newbies!), my reply was for them to close their door instead.

While most could hear my music easily with ther doors closed, some would open their doors or complain IF I turned it down.

I always have a playlist on tap that can get anyone going.

by shellbot

i used to listen to a lot of Korn at my old job, a few tracks were pure hate and it just suited the place! I was using FoxPro, so i'll say my FoxPro choice is Korn :) )

now at work listen to a lot of "new" metal Trivium, InFlames, System of a Down, etc. Thats just messing about with SQL server.
If i really need to concentrate though, i tone it down to a bit of HIM. (don;t think they are big in the US)

If i'm doing tough work which i am not familiar with and have to reference a lot, i switch 80's/90's metal/hair rock (Rat, White Zombie, GnR, etc). it kind of just runs away in the background and doesn't distact me.

Aparently i embarrass my kid (age 15) cause "moms" are not susposed to like goth and new metal ]:)

by jdclyde

I had heard a few songs on the radio but didn't know who it was until Thing One asked for their new cd for his birthday last month. "'Him' I said? Wouldn't you rather have your own cd?"

(they love my lame jokes!) :D

Lots of Mudvayne, disturbed, System of a down (a real hit and miss. Don't like the "fruitie" songs). Black Label Society has been getting a lot of play in the car, as well as Avenge Sevenfold.

Right now it is Vinnei Moore.

My boys LOVE that I rock harder than they do. It gives them a lot of exposure to different music and then they can turn around and be cool to their friends because they know much more about what is out there. ;\

I have already converted several of their friends to become jr metal heads. Some listened to pop, some rap. Not anymore! B-)

by Former member

you and shellbot have some of the better taste in music. You should check out Alexisonfire and From Autumn to Ashes. they are good for work, the gym, or driving.

by shellbot

I would sooooooooo throw myself at the lead singer of HIM. They just played in Dublin like 2 weeks ago. I didn't go..(i'm so pissed i didn't)

Avenge Sevenfold..they good, my other half listens to them a lot.

Well all the kids friends are into rap and its not easy to turn the little buggers..on the up side, 2 of them are going see Maiden ..i think i gonna get tickets for that myslef..(trivium supporting)

by smorty71

I agree that it depends on mood. However, lately, there has been a lot of great new rock stuff coming out, so I am (right this second) listening to a mix of Wolfmother, Eagles of Death Metal, Arctic Monkeys and The Raconteurs.

BTW, Ed, Wolfmother is a band out of Australia that pays tribute (some say "rips off") the big rock sounds of the '70s like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and T-Rex. So it may go well with your C# stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOi0yinAkiI

by mjwx

A the same concert as the Foo. Oasis and Spiderbait were there also.

by ben "iron" damper

On any given day I can listen to all kinds from country to rap to metal to rock.
David Allan Coe, Pantera, Cross Canadian Ragweed, BLS (black label society), U2, Charles Mingus, Rob Zombie, Tool, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, local bands, Motley Crue, Poison and the list just goes on.

by norman_berube

Normally I go for comedy music by Weird Al or Cledus Judd, as they keep me smiling and are up-beat.

I bounce between Country and Rock with major drifting towards the oldies. For deep concentration work I prefer songs from a variety of Japanese anime sung in the original Japanese which I don't speak or understand but find soothing as it is very uplifting.

On bad mood days, I'll dip down into BloodHound Gang as it has a fun way of getting rid of bad vibes.

by william.ames

My choice is music from various anime series. I have about 400 mp3 tracks (selected from many thousand) that I just play over and over. Such as:
Di Gi Charat KICA487 - 01 - MY PACE Dejiko de Ikou!.mp3
Minky Momo Yuki Ga Yandara KICA109 - 02 - shigatsuno yuki.mp3
ranma - kiyoku tadashii christmas.mp3
Various - Koi No Me Bi U Su.mp3 (from Lum's Best)

by matthew22

When I was 17 (and stupid), I listened to Gangsta Rap while programming a Zelda clone. It sapped so much of my concentration, I had a very hard time making progress! In fact, many variables were swear words. It wasn't good, because I was also inexperienced and I had to spend 15 minutes figuring out what a function did.

To compare with now:
I currently only listen to Gregorian Chant and classical music. I wrote a game MUCH more complex and it took far less time, because A) I'm a better programmer and B) I can actually concentrate without being blasted with lyrical (and distracting) music.

My latest game is www.ageofpenguins.com

It's a Javascript RTS (like Warcraft), but it works very well. It was a great challenge, and took all my concentration.

This is the kind of music I listened to while programming it:
http://www.chantcd.com/samples/gloria9.wma

I also listened to the Warcraft II soundtrack... :)

Matthew

by william.ames

Since I do not speak Japanese and understand a very small number of Japanese words I can listen to vocals with the same enjoyment as my classical music interests. Not knowing what is being said I am not distracted by what is being said and the music and the melody come through most enjoyably. When I watch anime it is always subtitled so the experience is still most enjoyable. However I do not watch anime while working! ;-)

by gsg

I like a lot of variety... Right now, I'm doing soundtracks to movies. I like the big epics ones. Gladiator, Chronicles of Narnia, All of the Lord of the Rings. I like all instrumental when I'm concentrating. Other days, I put in a mix of my favorite songs from 3Doors Down, Joss Stone, David Gilmour, Pink Floyd (DUDE!), Franz Ferdinand.

If I really want something different, I put on an audio book. I have 4 Harry Potter books, and 2 by Christopher Paolini that I bought and ripped to my Nomad. I'll actually have people ask if they can come work in my tiny office when I put my books on.

by gys.debruyn

When I do ASP I go the ACDC, Sepultura and Pantera way. HTML I go for Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizy, some DIO but when I do the brain dead coding I do some Enya or Deep Forrest just to bring the anger down :P. I have to say, if it late at night (after 10pm) I listen to some Hard House to keep me awake.

by smorty71

I guess it's time to Photoshop some more hair on my avatar. Look for a new one later today.

by bfilmfan

Dear Employee Smorty:

Please post a warning on your messages with pictures of you in wigs.

We had to buy a man in Georgia a new monitor because coffee came out of his nose and ruined it when he viewed those.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hydrich Shylock
CNet Legal Counsel
Former US Olympic Champion Ambulance Chaser

by jwdavis0507

I listen to Jazz but my understanding of multitasking tells me I am either working or listening, not both.

by clallier

Our office has a ban on speakers so I have to use headphones, but Clapton (especially unplugged) seems to work best for all situations. The drawback is that I end up singing along and get wadded up paper thrown over the cubicle walls!

by 3xp3rt

Here is my preference:
Delphi = Manfred Man, Pink Floyd
Visual FoxPro = Supertramp
SQL = Deep Purple, Uriah Heep
Visual Basic = Smokie, Styx, Rolling Stones
Administering Server = Lorena McKinit, Creedance, Rick Wakeman, Yes.

by sostermann

For me, music with lyrics are too distracting to code to. Sometimes I do like to listen to music while coding and I select a playlist that has only 'New Age' style and musical genre songs. Mannheim Steamroller is one of my favorites, as with Tangerine Dream, etc.

When I'm doing other tasks on the computer anything goes. From hard-hitting rock to emotional Christian music.

S~

by falling burrito brother

William Orbit. Also Vaughan Williams, depending on mood. Sometimes Phillip Glass does the trick. Frank Zappa - particularly the 'in New York' recording and Yo Mama.

by shellbot

I rock :) So does JD :x

From Autumn to Ashes, i've heard them, some good stuff.

Forgot to add Linkoln Park to my list..they sometimes a bit girley though..

by Former member

I haven't listened to HIM i don't think, have to check them out. Avenged Sevenfold is good, Beast and the Harlot is the ringer on my phone. Now Maiden and Trivium would be a good show....wonder if their playing in the US.

by mgordon

George Winston is my favorite when coding, which is nearly always in good old "C". I also enjoy new age stuff; almost anything on a Windham-Hill label, that sort of thing. Lao Tizer is pretty good.

by nighthawk808

Not rave, or house, or D&B, but that rare electronic form that combines real music with technology. 808 State's better work is probably the best example of what I'm talking about. In fact, the "808" at the end of "nighthawk808" is a tribute to both them and the Roland TR-808 synthesizer. And I always thought it was a pretty neat number for aesthetic reasons.

If you like techno and/or you liked the old C-64 music, you'll love http://remix.kwed.org . I don't have any affiliation with them; I just recommend them because they've got some outstanding music. I highly recommend 2Klang, OJ Oscillation, and Putzi. However, on a scale of one to five stars, I'd give moog (Sebastian Bachlinski) about a seven. Even if you can't stand techno, you'd probably like this artist. I don't use this word lightly, but this guy is brilliant.

It's free. Not free as in "bombarded with popups and ads" free, but free as in "you can donate if you can afford to, and if you can't, that's fine too". I did, but that doesn't mean you have to.

So it's that and silence. I tend to alternate between about an hour with nothing, and a couple of hours with music. This is when I'm bashing out C or C++. If I'm using something like Lisp or Prolog, silence is a must. Using them hurts my brain enough already, so it doesn't need any other stimuli to deal with.

As for C#, I can only imagine Chopin's Funeral March in an endless loop: a tribute to all the little dying brain cells sloughing off my cortex like antitrust settlements off Microsoft.

C#: Because Java wasn't crufty enough!
C#: For when you care enough to screw it completely up!
C#: Why use titanium when could use Nerf?
C#: The language that isn't as cool as its name. [Unlike Python.]

I'm on a roll here, but I'd better quit while I'm ahead. Before I know it, TR will have yet another 10-something list.

by hog43

I found out in high school when trying to do homework that I needed music to focus. Without it I would get distracted by things going on around me. I'd turn on the music and yeah, I'd listen to it for a little while, but after a few minutes the music would occupy the part of my brain that was losing focus and I'd be able to concentrate better. This still works for me today as I code. If I'm having trouble focusing or being motivated I plug in the headphones and off I go. Sometimes it almost feels like I'm in "the zone".

by staticonthewire

I had an eight track club mixer on my desk, and I used several sources as input - a rock station, a clssical station, an RSS feed that my son and his friends would build for me, the bleeps and blorps of the stock market, and various mics around the office. I would control relative volume and panning of all this based on my keystroke speed, whether I was on the phone, and the sonic qualities of the incoming material. The control program was in VB and didn't amount to much at all.

It was never boring, and surprisingly it didn't degenerate into a wall of sound, we had tweaked things just right so sounds flowed from one source to another and provided us with a lovely office-oriented soundscape with rock and classical overtones and a bit of news here and there... it was nice...

by slayer_

Been listening to Avenged Sevenfold and All The Remains, mixed with Rammstien.

There is something about not understanding fully what the singers are saying that makes it easier to focus on programming.

That and I just love metal.

And now for some Slayer :)

I actually created my own music program with Playlists for Windows 95 way back before I even had internet just so I could program to music :).

http://www.download.com/Trevor-s-Music-Mixer/3000-2139_4-10532051.html

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