Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#21

Post by orblivion » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:28 PM UTC

JS_startup wrote: post #3

As silly as it sounds, dubstep and other fast-paced, energetic music. I find my pace of coding often matches my internal energy so that I start to slow down and get less done when listening to relaxing, meditative music.

The sort of Dubstep you often hear on Dubstep.fm I think is the ideal sort. It's usually not constantly blaring funny noises at you the way it is when you see it live (bro-step, you might say.) It is usually somewhat upbeat but laid back and groovy at the same time.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#22

Post by hsmyers » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:30 PM UTC

WFMT from iTunes Classical Radio. Or cycle through my favorites list on my iPod, it is about 3.2 days long so the repeat factor is not annoying.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#23

Post by vlorch » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:30 PM UTC

anything by Tim Hecker

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#24

Post by perspective » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:30 PM UTC

I'm a big fan of electronic music and used to DJ, so all kinds of electronica, dubstep, garage/2-step, a bit of house/electro/tech house, drum & bass, and recently a lot of techno. Pretty much anything fast with a steady beat.

I find techno to be good music for coding to because it is very subtle and has long build ups whilst maintaining a decent pace. I'm still new to techno but I'd recommend both the CLR.net and Drumcode.se podcasts, but get yourself a decent pair of headphones :)

Dubstep can be fantastic for coding but I prefer the darker more underground tunes as opposed to Skrillex and the poppy sound which gets played a lot recently. Keep an eye out for tunes by Mala, Kode9, SP:MC, Distance, Lynx, Skream, Loefah. I listen to Youngsta's shows on Rinse.FM which you can download from their site on Tuesday mornings GMT.

Also some downtempo/chilled stuff is good for more relaxed coding. I've enjoyed Emancipator's albums over the last couple of months and would recommend them to pretty much anyone.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#25

Post by orblivion » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:31 PM UTC

Sometimes Dubstep. Sometimes Opeth (progressive/melodic death metal, probably not for everyone). But my real silver bullet is the Symbols album by KMFDM.

Edit: And when I need to chill out more and concentrate, Indian classical music, particularly tabla stuff since I like percussion, is fantastic. I've also recently found that Herbie Hancock had a similar effect, (an album where he sounds more like conventional jazz.)

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#26

Post by wenbert » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:32 PM UTC

Mostly, Somafm. Secret Agent / Groovesalad. (If you are not familiar, then you should definitely check it out: http://somafm.com/)

In a noisy environment (coffeeshop, etc.), I listen to Nightwish or Tool with my cheap earphones.

Also, once in a while I pop in the Diablo II soundtracks.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#27

Post by pavel_lishin » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:34 PM UTC

damoncali wrote: post #13

Nothing. My brain can't process music while I'm coding. I literally don't hear it, or at most, it's just a increase in background noise. I wish that weren't true, but I just can't think and listen to music at the same time.

Background noise sounds good to me. When I'm listening to music while I code, I'm not actively "listening" to it, either - if you ask me what the last three songs that played were, I probably wouldn't be able to tell you.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#28

Post by wkdown » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:35 PM UTC

cuu508 wrote: post #18

Here are few Spotify playlists I've found on sharemyplaylists.com and have kept around: A Soundtrack For Coding spotify:user:joannabutler:playlist:5DWd75wM11HGHF2rBgikAQ Coding music spotify:user:vesanieminen:playlist:2BJneVq6neamXAi7MfYtZJ Perfect for Coding spotify:user:tbibb:playlist:0gaXIS4Ucs3G6YNBJ8m29b Coding Paradise spotify:user:scottix2:playlist:62oWivdtZmmTdMdUFh7ALt For me, anything works that I'd normall…

Here is my own, if you'd like to add it to the list

spotify:user:122311263:playlist:3Fh1B8D32GUrshQhuQdJVf

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#29

Post by berntb » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:35 PM UTC

For energy and good mood, something fast and heavy. Death metal (Meshuggah, Nile) is the main genre. But right now, Kvelertak is the favorite. (-: I'm to wimpy for real black metal. :-)

Otherwise, it can be quite different. Modern jazz, singer songwriters, diverse folk/world music, etc.

If it is complex music I need to know the album well to be able to be in the zone.

My guilty favorites now are Lykke Li and Jamie N Commons.

Edit: Also, thanks for this HN question. I hope to mine interesting stuff outside my comfort zone.

Re: Ask HN: What music do you like to listen to while you program?

#30

Post by bprieto » Wed, Dec 28, 2011, 3:37 PM UTC

I use music (with headphones) when there is noise in the background. I have a list in iTunes named "work" just for this.

It's a mix of progressive rock from the seventies (Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, Mike Oldfield) and new age (Enya, Madredeus)

I'm afraid it shows my age...