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Ask HN: best music to code to?

6 points by AdamJBall ↗ HN
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!

18 comments

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vishalzone2002
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.
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user_235711
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...

ragatskynet
I also listen to these when I am coding. Repetitive techno-like music can be also good, it depends on the mood.
heldrida
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...!

AnimalMuppet
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.

stevekemp
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!

ceeK
I don't particularly understand how people can code whilst listening to music. The two simply do not go hand in hand for me. I find it clouds my thought process why I'm trying to figure something out or reason about a bit of code. Even when I'm doing 'drone' programming I often think about where this bit of code fits in with the rest etc.

Sometimes I can listen to music without lyrics, but it has to be fairly calm and uneventful. Coffitivity is actually a pretty good thing for me.

andrew_gardener
It works differently for different people. For me it helps drown out background noise in the office and helps relax me so I can get in the zone. Its important to note that I play my music very low with headphone and with rather no lyrics or lyrics in a different language so that it doesn't distract me.

With all that said though, there is nothing worse than being subjected to a coworker's music choice. Having experienced this at different jobs, I can totally understand why other people avoid music at work like the plague.

andrew_gardener
I usually listen to whatever is on the top of the list for anime radio stations (http://www.shoutcast.com/radio/Anime) while at work (since its easier to just stream some music).

At home I have a large collection of random music (some music from video games, anime, metal/electronic bands, parody/comedy songs, meme themed songs, etc)

thebrainkid
when I'm coding, I like listening to classical, although I've also been liking swinghouse recently.
J_Darnley
Whatever you like. My one suggestion is you listen to things that don't have lyrics or possibly even humming or other vocal elements. I find myself distracted by those.

I could list some of my favourites if anyone likes.

wturner
I like massive attack instrumentals and hang drum solos.
johnsoga
I can listen to almost anything. I usually end up having repeat on and can end up listening to the same songs 20-30 times before I even notice... and then the process repeats :)