Ask HN: best music to code to?

#1

Post by AdamJBall » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 4:35 PM UTC

Wondering what music people listen to in order to maintain focus whilst coding.

Personally a fan of the TRON: Legacy soundtrack, Justice etc.

Look forward to listening to your suggestions!

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#2

Post by vishalzone2002 » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 4:42 PM UTC

I have always wondered about this. An interesting thing to think about is if there is a correlation between programming language and type of music a programmer likes.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#3

Post by taprun » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 4:49 PM UTC

There's a big thread on Reddit that suggests programming to video game music, as it's designed to be in the background. Link: http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1u4xh1/lpt_look...

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#4

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:03 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#5

Post by hashtree » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:07 PM UTC

taprun wrote: post #3

There's a big thread on Reddit that suggests programming to video game music, as it's designed to be in the background. Link: http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1u4xh1/lpt_look...

The same reason I litsen to Soma FM. Some good channels:

http://somafm.com/spacestation/

http://somafm.com/deepspaceone/

http://somafm.com/dronezone/

http://somafm.com/beatblender/

http://somafm.com/events/ (Def Con Radio)

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#6

Post by user_235711 » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:41 PM UTC

I would recommend Boards of Canada[1] and Thievery Corporation[2] most of all. But really anything in the vein of what has been dubbed "chill" music works great for me due to the awesome atmospheres and driving beats. Here[3] is a list I made of some of the best albums IMO in that genre.

[1]http://www.amazon.com/Boards-Of-Canada/e/B000APHPF8/

[2]http://www.amazon.com/Thievery-Corporation/e/B000APFP6E/

[3]http://www.amazon.com/Top-10-Chill-Out-Albums/lm/R32Q5RHQR51...

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#7

Post by punkbit » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:43 PM UTC

I'm usually coding while listening to Drum and Bass. But for example, today I've been listening to Stax (Soul/Funk). Other days I'm listening to Punk, Ska, Reggae, Hip-Hop [...] At least twice a week I listen to roots Blue music!

It's up to you, I don't think there's such thing as "music" made for programming, if so, I would say late night and silence...really...!

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#8

Post by AnimalMuppet » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:45 PM UTC

Depends on what style of music you favor. What music is best depends on who you are.

It also depends on what you're coding. "Put your head down and crank" music is different from "I need to be able to think deeply for a couple of hours" music.

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#9

Post by stevekemp » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 5:49 PM UTC

I tend to listen to 80s goth/metal/industrial music, on the basis that that's what I used to listen to, go clubbing with, and enjoy the most.

There are times when I'll listen to random things, such as Jeff Wayne's war of the worlds, opera, or piano works, but generally I'm an 80s metal-head at heart!

Re: Ask HN: best music to code to?

#10

Post by Karunamon » Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 6:30 PM UTC

I found a "Music for Programming" podcast a long while ago that's fairly effective. It's pretty mellow compared to the Legacy OST.

http://musicforprogramming.net