Forums » Everything else » What music you code to?

I generally get it to "code mode" listening to DubStep or Thrash Metal (like Sepultura) yeah I know its weird... Similarly I can concentrate better if I have The Return of the Jedi in the background... but recently Deadmau5 – Vanishing Point - Original Mix really gets the proverbial juices flowing.

I vary depending on whether it's straightforward boilerplate code, or requires a little more creativity (since I do a lot of programming, mostly not game related)

I tend to go with Nightwish, the CD that came with Zelda: Skyward Sword and various compilation albums for creative times, and various chip-tune/mod-tune tracks from old games for general boilerplate coding.

I listen to bands like Maps and Atlases and Faraquet. I find that the more complicated the code, the more complicated the music I listen to while doing it.

Jazz, Tango and classical music. 70's Funk for copy & paste :o)

Usually DubStep or some electronic stuff like DATA
http://www.pandora.com/?_sl=1&shareImp=true#!/stations/play/729930302393935004

Lately I have been on a really bizarre Man Man kick though
http://www.pandora.com/?_sl=1&shareImp=true#!/stations/play/728995322373338456
For some reason Pandora is obsessed with modest mouse and the white stripes which gets very irritating. (seriously how many down-rates of modest mouse must I make to remove it?!)

Video Game music that I find inspiring. Metroid music, presently.

arctic monkeys on loop

+1 ,They are amazing live :D

For programming I like mellow music, with clear rhythm, but not too much percussion, and simple lyrics. Here are some of my favorites right now:

9m by ATB
Crystal Clear by Grid
Boom Boom in the Zoom Zoom Room, covered by Blondie

Today I'm listening to:

Chinese Man - Racing with the Sun

I prefer silence (punctuated by occasional bouts of swearing when I get stuck on a bug for too long) as music distracts me.

OTOH we 3 are the sole occupants of an unheated 5000 sq. meter floor in this shell of a school. It's been cold and windy since november, and the echoes of empty halls punctuated by the howling of the wind could qualify as (haunting) music. :)

one more for the record: vehicle - ides of march

bring back the 70s baby!

Monty on the Run by Rob Hubbard http://youtu.be/jAyDCti2XAc?t=31s
From the C64 Game of the same name. You can still find SID versions on the net.

Or

Short Circuit theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgR8TAggp6U

Or
Bubble Bobble http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gggp9JkY1Pk

musicForProgramming() was recently featured on Hacker News - lots of suggestions in that thread as well.