battlebards

[battlebards]

Pirate Shanty Songs & Troubadours Greetings Released! 40 NEW Tracks @15% Off through Sept 21

Head on over to the BattleBards Store to get 15% off on the albums below OR if you are subscribed to BattleBards PRIME, they're already unlocked and ready to use in the BattleBards Tools Suite.

Click on the appropriate album below to have a listen!

Interested to know more about BattleBards PRIME? Click the link here to know more.

Album: Pirate Shanty

Tracks: 8

Audio Type: Musical Scores

Seafarers, beware of the black flag! This release includes one of our most ambitious projects to date and that means your adventures just may get that much more dangerous. With the Pirate Shanty musical album we have some of the most lyrically entertaining/intimidating songs for your high seas adventures. Don't miss this one!

Album: Troubadours Greetings

Tracks: 32  

Audio Type: NPC Scripts

Storytellers to tricksters, the musically inclined troubadours are a choir to the sound of the universe. Whether they be Orcs, Dwarves, Halflings, Gnomes or the like, we have a Bard greeting from the lot of the races.

[battlebards]

Bard Behind the Dwarven Forge Kickstarter 6 Video Trailer: Richard Daskas

We are no stranger to Richard Daskas, who has been a composer for BattleBards from before we were known as BattleBards. He has done a series of incredible compositions for the Dwarf Temple, Dark Elf Temple, Elven Dirge, Orc War March, and others. We’ve also interviewed him on the BattleBards Blog before.

Richard composed the audio for the latest Dwarven Forge Kickstarter 6 Trailer and we’re hear to learn more about it and him. Watch his work below:

Tell us more about yourself, Richard.

I'm a composer specializing in cinematic orchestral music. My music career began with learning violin at the age of 6. After picking up the guitar, I started writing my own songs and realized how much I enjoy creating music. I recently worked as a musician and developer for IBM Research where I helped create Watson Beat, a music composition engine that uses machine learning to compose original music. As a member of the Poets' Circle, I helped score the fantasy MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar.

What was your approach to the latest Dwarven Forge Kickstarter Video?

I started with a rough cut of the 5 minute video from Dwarven Forge. I wanted to capture the epic tone that I know these guys love and a style that I enjoy creating. With a quick breakdown of the scenes from BattleBards, I knew that I needed a few different sections - a slower moving epic backdrop that would have room to grow and could have layers added on easily, as well as a faster, more inspired section towards the end that would complement the Dwarven Forge crew’s call-to-arms. There were some other smaller sections that also needed to be taken into account, like a couple of light-hearted, comedic parts with minimal instrumentation and a few transitions for some of the other shorter scenes.

After watching the video a few times and with this rough musical idea in mind, I started creating the harmonic backbone on the piano. After coming up with a chord progression that mostly fit the larger sections and the different scenes, I began the orchestration process. I mostly used strings from Spitfire’s Albion One library and the brass from 8dio’s Century Brass Ensemble. The Albion One is usually my go-to library for these types of tracks. After adding in some brass lines, they still needed some layering and doubling up to really get that brassy, epic, over-the top sound. 

I ended up using sustained string lines to thicken up the texture, staccato strings to keep the rhythmic drive going, heroic and big brass to bring out the determination, a lush choir mixed with some real vocals to add a flair of drama and drive, and booming percussion to give it an epic pulse.

What were your key challenges?

The two key challenges for this project were to finish a 5 minute track in less than a week and make sure that it fit the emotional timeline of the Dwarven Forge Kickstarter video as closely as possible. The easiest part was the beginning. Coming up with the idea and the harmonic sketch may have only taken a couple of hours and the orchestration a day, but the transitions and tweaks to get everything lined up the way it’s supposed to be was the most challenging part.

What are you proudest of?

From a production standpoint, I’m really happy with how the overall mix for this turned out. Also, as a creative person, a big pitfall can be to become too attached to an idea. You have to remain open-minded and willing to change your ideas to fit the situation especially with a project with such a quick turnaround. I’m proud that I was able to implement the client’s feedback and adapt my ideas to deliver something even better that fit the needs of the project.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve actually gotten into game development recently. It’s kind of been something that I always wanted to do. I’m creating a 2D action RPG called Resonant Blade  that emphasizes music and sound as a main gameplay mechanic. It’s reminiscent of some of my favorite SNES games like Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. 

In Resonant Blade, the player has to use the visuals and/or audio to detect enemy weaknesses. Enemy weaknesses are represented by a color and a specific frequency or pitch. Once the player knows the weakness, they can dial in the correct frequency on their Resonant Blade to defeat their foes. 

The game is still very much in development and it’s somewhat of a slow-going process as I have to learn lots of new things, but that’s what I enjoy about game development so far. It’s the challenge of juggling so many different things and being able to learn and adapt to them and, ultimately, create something out of all of that for players to enjoy. 

Follow more on Richard’s work: 

Youtube: Video Devlog Series 

Twitter: @RichardDaskas 

[battlebards]

15% Off 173 NEW Tracks through August 19th

We've done a MAJOR launch this week with 173 NEW Tracks including the Thieves Cant Language, Mother Nature Sound Effects, Bard Greetings & Vestige of Eons Musical Score!

Head on over to the BattleBards Store to get 15% off on the albums below OR if you are subscribed to BattleBards PRIME, they're already unlocked and ready to use in the BattleBards Tools Suite.

Click on the appropriate album below to have a listen!

Interested to know more about BattleBards PRIME? Click the link here to know more.

Album: Vestige of Eons

Tracks: 7

Audio Type: Musical Scores

For Rituals, Sanctuaries, Serene Surroundings, and their kin, Vestige of Eons is an album full of the calming spirit that weathered travellers can appreciate between high adventures while also serving as a backdrop to grand reveals.

Album: Thieves Cant

Tracks: 70  

Audio Type: Racial Language

Gender: Male & Female

The language of Thieves has been uncovered and we have produced 70 relevant tracks that can be used to maintain mystery in campaign dialogue or perhaps as mystery message to party members. A track for nearly every situation, it's an album that shouldn't be missed in a world of secrets.

Album: Bards Greetings

Tracks: 47

Audio Type: NPC Scripts

Gender: Male & Female

Ah, our Bard Brethren appear in what can only be described as an NPC Script Album of esquisite taste and entertainment for all, like the tale of "Two Dead Dwarves"! Male and Female Bards included.

Album: Mother Nature

Tracks: 49    

Audio Type: Sound Effects

Never mess with Mother Nature, for her wrath will be uncanny and unkind. This album includes Fires, Boulder Rock slides, Earthquakes, Waterfalls, Avalanches, and more! GM's this one needs to be in your bag of holding.

[battlebards]

15% Off Everything Dwarf! Celebrating Dwarven Forge’s latest Kickstarter

Bards,

We are so incredibly proud to be associated with Dwarven Forge’s latest Kickstarter. As we speak there is over $1.2 Million backed for the project with over 20 days to go.  Team BattleBards scored their 5 minute video and the entire package has come together so well. Have a view then head on over to their Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dwarvenforge/caverns-deep-by-dwarven-forge-handcrafted-game-ter

Celebrating this we’re putting up all of our Dwarf related Albums on 15% OFF that includes one of the all time classic BattleBards albums, the Dwarf Temple!

Album: The Dwarf Temple (Refreshed)

Tracks: 8

Audio Type: Music

URL: https://bit.ly/2LJyOSJ

Description: THE BattleBards classic returns on promotional discount for the first time in over a year. Entering a dwarf temple is an experience hard to describe. The spiritual nature and bravery of what it represents is what we wanted to capture. Listen for yourself.

Album: The Dwarf Language x 3 Albums

Tracks: 34

Audio Type: NPC Scripts 

Dwarf Language Album: https://bit.ly/2LmC5eT

Human Spoken Dwarf Album: https://bit.ly/2mHiYgB

Female Dwarves Album: https://bit.ly/2NHvsk0

Description: Adventuring into the dwarf’s world you’re bound to hit upon a conversation or two in Dwarf. In times like these unless your party members understand what’s being spoken the foreign tongue can feel confusing and intimidating. With 34 unique tracks you’ll find something for your every situation.

[battlebards]

BattleBards PRIME Subscription Service Launches!

BattleBards’s original vision was to provide you with complete access to the greatest collection of gaming audio ever produced and tools at an attractive price.  Today we’re proud to unveil that vision has come to fruition with BattleBards PRIME, our new subscription service.

BattleBards PRIME unlocks the magic of immersive gaming in a way never done before and for a limited time we’re offering an amazing introductory deal:

Streaming access on over 1,800+ (and growing) tracks!

The entire BattleBards Tools Suite: Soundboard, Mixer, Cast, Desktop (details below)

Upload your own audio library with 500MB or 1GB of Cloud Storage options

20% discount on all track purchases, for those who wish to download

The LIMITED TIME OFFER is for our $9.95 plan and will last until June 10th. Lock it in to ensure you’re receiving a 20% discount on all track purchases. After the offer expires, the discount will still be an amazing 15%. 

Click here and learn more about the 1, 3, and 6 month subscription options.

Subscribe to BattleBards PRIME today and lock in your discount for as long as you stay a member, going as low as $8/month.

BATTLEBARDS TOOLS SUITE - Unlocked with PRIME

1. Soundboard - The GM’s Audio Command and Control

2. Mixer - Customize your Audio for that perfect narration or atmospheric effect

3. Cast - Play anywhere! Bring your Audio to any online virtual game! 

4. Desktop Player - Basement Gaming with no net got you down? No Problem. Desktop brings your purchased BattleBards Audio, Uploaded Tracks, Locally stored tracks on your computer, and Soundboard offline to your PC or Mac.

500MB/1GB Cloud Storage - Unlocked with PRIME

Cloud storage allows you to upload your own audio to BattleBards for use in the Soundboard, Mixer, Cast, and the Desktop Player. Customize your own tracks with your BattleBards Audio to create a truly unique experience for your players!

*20% OFF on ALL BattleBards Store Purchases - Unlocked with PRIME

Many of our Bards love to own every track they can get their hands on. Purchasing tracks allows you to download them for use offline and with the Desktop Player. PRIME users get an exclusive discount on ALL BattleBards Tracks and Albums purchased. 

*20% off on the 1 Month $9.95 package is for a limited time through June 10th. After that the discount will revert to 15%.

Sign up for BattleBards PRIME today and add a level of immersion to your campaigns like never before!

[battlebards]

BattleBards Site Update

It has been a while since we last provided a message on all of the areas we have improved upon on BattleBards over the last few months.  2017 is really about focusing on improving the site and the tools. Our goal is to remove the registration barrier and finally get out of our “Beta” phase. 

There is a lot of work to be done and let’s go over some of updates we have made recently, shall we?

Soundboard

Collapse Players: Need more visual space on screen? We have finally added a Collapse button to reduce the real estate that the players take up in your Playlists on the Soundboard

Shuffle All: Random playback order and the ability to move to the next or previous track is being implemented early next week

Upload Tracks Directly: You can now upload tracks directly into the Soundboard from your local system.

Tutorials: On screen tutorials to help anyone new to the Soundboard to get moving quickly

Easier Store Browsing: No more pagination. Just scroll up and down to your heart’s content. 

Improved Search: We’ve introduce a full page search function that is more flexible and provides more useful details, including filters so you can find just what you need

My Library - Search Bar and Filters: My library was a complete disaster to search through so we’ve added some small tools here to help you organize and find just what you need

Upload Tracks from Soundboard & Mixer: Now it’s even easier to upload your own audio to the Soundboard and Mixer straight from the same page!

On Page Tutorials: A much needed feature. We walk you through how to use the BattleBards Soundboard, Mixer, and other aspects of the site. Finally!

Update Account Settings: Change your Names, Profile Picture, Email and Password.

[battlebards]

SNEAK PEEK: BattleBards Desktop

Welcome to the soon-to-be-launched BattleBards Desktop. Our long awaited application earlier dubbed as the “Offline Player”.  

BattleBards Desktop is a downloadable application that works on both PC and Macs, which will allow you to take your audio with you on your laptop/desktop without needing any internet connection! 

Features:

PC/Mac Application for Offline Play! (Requires $25 BB Credit purchase in aggregate to unlock)

Download your entire BattleBards Library, Mixes, and Uploaded Tracks!

Built in Soundboard just like on BattleBards.com

Create Local Playlists

Sideload your own local MP3 Library for us in Playlists and the Soundboard! (Requires $100 BB Credit purchase in aggregate to unlock)

The BattleBards Desktop Beta will be available in April 2017 and it’ll allow you to really improve your gaming experiences when you’re stuck in those crappy no-internet locations.

Here are some more pictures of the upcoming Beta. Note that the look and feel is subject to change. 

Download your BattleBards Library:

Soundboard with Dual Playlist Support:

Sidebar to add tracks quickly and easily to your Soundboard:

More to come on the BattleBards Desktop!

[battlebards]

Hope you had a wonderful New Year and an awesome start to 2017! Our team spent a few days on holiday before jumping back into the heat of things. We're jump starting 2017 with 76 New tracks across 9 Albums! We spent a ton of time polishing these tracks and hope you love them.

Check out the details below and then head to BattleBards.com, login, and go to "Browse" --> "Featured" to get em'.

NOTE: With any album (old, new, or refreshed) you will only be charged for the tracks you do not own in your library. So it's perfectly fine to purchase any album without fear of being overcharged :)

Album: Upper Planes | Tracks: 6 | Duration: 22 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

The Upper Planes were created in stark contrast to some of the deep, dark, moody melodies found on BattleBards. This album brings about a breath of fresh air with an uplifting spirit your players will appreciate. An example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/upper-planes-arches-of-the-high-heavens-by-mike-bridge

Album: Great City | Tracks: 8 | Duration: 27 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

Cities of grandeur deserve epic scores to match. You'll find no less in this album filled to the brim with the most dramatically revealing melodies that could fit within any modern Hollywood fantasy movie. An example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/great-city-home-of-the-martyrs-by-cesar-pineda-musical-score

Album: Monk Temple | Tracks: 8 | Duration: 32 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

Exploring the far east or the most spiritual of locations, the Monk Temple album is a great source for inspiring music. Cities of grandeur deserve epic scores to match. You'll find no less in this album filled to the brim with the most dramatically revealing melodies that could fit within any modern Hollywood fantasy movie. An Example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/monk-temple-the-lost-temple-by-wilddog-productions-musical-score

Album: Caverns | Tracks: 10 | Duration: 53 Minutes | Audio Type: Soundscapes  

Enhance exploring caves and catacombs with nearly 1 hour of environmental sounds. Whether inhabited, abandoned, or spooky the atmosphere of exploring and uncovering the mysteries and potential treasures within these locations are taking a step up. An Example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/caverns-caverns-of-the-ancients-by-stuart-duffield-soundscape

Album: Grasslands x 3 Albums | Tracks: 29 | Duration: 2 Hour 54 Minutes | Audio Type: Soundscapes

Traveling between major settlements on land means your players will be seeing plenty of rolling hills and plains. Why not enhance that experience with the sound of wind, grass, and the open air? With 3 albums covering Classic, Fantasy, and Night, there are plenty of options to choose from. An Example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/grasslands-plains-of-the-spirits-in-night-by-andrii-mardanov-soundscape

Album: Wagons x 2 Albums | Tracks: 15 | Duration: 17 Minutes | Audio Type: Soundscapes

When traveling on the great open road, horses work, but wagons and carriages can be far more efficient. The sounds of motion add a level of immersion your players will enjoy while traversing from one major quest to another. An Example: https://soundcloud.com/battlebards/wagons-and-carriages-wagon-over-cobbles-by-olivier-girardot-soundscapes

As always, find the new audio the BattleBards Store at BattleBards.com!

[battlebards]

With the holiday season in full swing we have a bunch of new audio ready for you dubbed, Heavenly Cities! 53 NEW tracks across 9 Albums has launched on the BattleBards Store. Check out the previews below and go to BattleBards.com to get your holiday cheer on!

Album: Heavenly Plane | Tracks: 6 | Duration: 20 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

The Heavenly Plane, a place of pure bliss. The peaceful atmosphere, the lifting warmth, a place for all that is good. Of course the path to this plane can vary, but we shouldn't fret on those details. Regardless of why your players are here, they will be in awe.

Album: Capital City | Tracks: 8 | Duration: 26 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores  

The sight of an epic Capital City on the horizon brings a smile to the weary traveler. A place to pamper one's self after days and weeks of battle and fatigue. Perhaps purchase a shiny new set of armor or spend time at the rowdy pubs. Meet new friends, catch up with old acquaintances, discover new quests, and perhaps even score some riches.

Album: Ancient Chamber | Tracks: 7 | Duration: 30 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

Within the depths of the Ancient Chambers are the unknown wonders of yester-age. Perhaps it is a location ransacked of all treasures or a haunted one that will bring your party's to their knees in fright.

Album: Apothecary | Tracks: 10 | Duration: 54 Minutes | Audio Type: Soundscape

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." - Macbeth. Ah, the sounds of potions bubbling, concoctions brewing, the sight of ingredients that make you squeamish and the smells that will have most lose their lunch. The apothecary can be a place where science and magic combine to ensure well being or lead to agonizing death in the wrongful hands.

Album: Transmutation Spell Effects | Tracks: 3 | Audio Type: Sound Effects

The Transmutation album includes a couple of our favorites. Transmutation effects include Hover, Levitate, and Weightless and are they ever fun to use when pulling pranks on your fellow party member.

Album: Enchantment Spell Effects | Tracks: 14 | Audio Type: Sound Effects

We can never get enough of great spell effects. And with our latest release you have 14 new sound effects to play with including Sleep spells to Paralyze, and Mass Hold.

Album: City Siege | Tracks: 2 (1 New) | Duration: 5 Minutes 30 Seconds | Audio Type: Musical Scores

The sounds of war and a city at siege. The perfect backdrop to massive battlegrounds that can change the tide of power forever.

Album: Underground Lake City | Tracks: 7 (3 New) | Duration: 24 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

The refreshed Underground Lake City album includes 3 new tracks full of epic reveals that will leave the hair on your players' collective backs, faces, arms, and even the big toe standing at attention.

Album: Dwarf Temple | Tracks: 7 (1 New) | Duration: 22 Minutes | Audio Type: Musical Scores

The Dwarf Temple album set the stage for BattleBards before it was even BattleBards. We are proud to expand this legendary album with a brand new track that continues to build on the legacy set before it.

[battlebards]

Yes, we are releasing a TON of new audio coming towards the holiday season. And here we have 62 Brand New Tracks on BattleBards.com focused on the City Dweller. Get 20% off until December 15th.

Check out the details below and then head to BattleBards.com, login, and then go to “Browse” -> “Featured” to get em’.

NOTE: With any album/pack (old, new, or refreshed) you will only be charged for the tracks you do not own in your library. So it’s perfectly fine to purchase any album/pack without fear of being overcharged :)

Album: Metropolis

Tracks: 8     Duration: 27 Minutes 26 Seconds

Audio Type: Musical Scores

The most awe-inspiring domesticated travel companions reside within the Metropolis. A true sense of high-flying adventure awaits your players along with the rest of the complete 8 track Metropolis Album on BattleBards.com.​  Listen to the awesome Griffinport score.

Album: Monk Sanctuary

Tracks: 8     Duration: 34 Minutes 45 Seconds

Audio Type: Musical Scores

The serene locations of the Monk Sanctuary where enlightenment parallels fighting mastery. Whether seeking an understanding of the inner self or the ability to stand up to dozens of foes at once, your journey is just beginning with the 8-track Monk Sanctuary album on BattleBards.com.​ Listen to an example here.

Album: Prophecy of Scale

Tracks: 7     Duration: 26 Minutes 13 Seconds  

Audio Type: Musical Scores

Prophecies can be overwhelming to comprehend. How the threads of fate control our actions, yet our actions may also alter fate. It is not for mortal men to truly understand the ways of the ancients and the gods. Yet, when a prophecy is told, even a wicked one, it is in your party's best interest to listen, and do listen well to the 7-Track Prophecy of Scale album on BattleBards.com​. Listen to an example here.

Album: Human Metropolis: Metropolis Marketplace​ & Back Alley Nights (2 Albums)

Tracks: 7+2     Duration: 56 Minutes 40 Seconds (Across Both Albums)

Audio Type: Soundscapes

Crossing a populated human settlement is but expected. The bustling marketplaces by day or the back alleys at night, the heavy chatter, the passings by of carriages, the repetitive sales calls of street vendors, shop keeper doors opening and closing, welcome to the Human Metropolis, with 9 tracks across 2 Albums on BattleBards.com. ​Listen here.

Album: Sewer Soundscapes x 2 (Classic & Fantasy)

Tracks: 7+7     Duration: 69 Minutes 15 Seconds (Across Both Albums)

Audio Type: Soundscapes

What adventurer doesn't head into the foul smelling sewers at least once or hundred times during their lifetime? Whether battling foul giant rats or a cult of the deformed, the wicked tend to dwell within these inhuman locations.  Whether you seek the sounds of classic sewers or those filled with unknown creatures, we have them both covered in 2 Albums: Sewers Classic & Sewers Fantasy. In total 14 Tracks will ensure a "healthy" dose of this wretched environment for your party to endure.​ Listen up to one such track here.

Album: Easy Going Tavern

Tracks: 11     Duration: 60 Minutes 21 Seconds

Audio Type: Soundscapes

The classic tavern, the first place the party always visits when heading into a locale. Whether to relax, get acquainted with the locals, catch up on gossip, or find a new quest, it's the place to be with this 11-track Easy Going Tavern soundscape album on BattleBards.com.​  Listen to an example.

Album: Tavern Owner Scripts (Refreshed)

Tracks: 30     Duration: 15 Minutes 30 Seconds

Audio Type: NPC Scripts

5 New Tracks have been added to this popular Album. Tavern Owners can never be ones without personality. As much as service shall be delivered with a smile or a fist to the face, personality comes along with their charming welcome like with the 30 track Tavern Owner NPC Scripts Album on BattleBards.com​. Listen to one of the new tracks on our YouTube channel.

[battlebards]

For the Sordid Types: 5 NEW/REFRESHED Sinful Albums at 20% Off, Till December 8th!

When it comes to Audio for the lovers of Sinful adventures, we have you covered this Wave. We have 35 Brand new tracks for which will get your game moving in a direction your players won’t believe.

Check out the details below and then head to BattleBards.com, login, and then go to “Browse” -> “Featured” to get em’.

NOTE: With any album/pack (old, new, or refreshed) you will only be charged for the tracks you do not own in your library. So it’s perfectly fine to purchase any album/pack without fear of being overcharged :)

Album: Sheikh’s Tent

Tracks: 8     Duration: 30 minutes 25 seconds

Audio Type: Musical Scores

The sounds of drinks pouring and coins dropping, the Sheikh's Tent provides little reason to hide one's interests and true desires. Indulgence is not just a luxury here, it is a necessity. This 8 Track album is full of sinful pleasures.

Album: Doors & Portals

Tracks: 10     Audio Type: Sound Effects

The unexpected, yet dramatic sounds of doors and portals.  From wooden doors to stone passages to hidden portals, add mystery to what's behind door number 1 in the 10 track Doors and Portals album.

Album: Scallywag Alehouse

Tracks: 8     Duration: 26 minutes 41 seconds

Audio Type: Musical Scores

We take a visit back to the Pirate den. Affordable ales, rowdy crowds, and dangerous deals promising treasures beyond your party's wildest dreams on adventures deep into the sea. This may be your last drink. Savor it.

Album: Human Metropolis: Brothels at Night

Tracks: 5     Duration: 26 minutes 08 seconds

Audio Type: Soundscapes

Cover your eyes and ears. Ignore everything, for when it comes to sin, heed our warning as it is better for innocent to avoid the alleyways leading to that which is but whispered about during the day.

Album: Giants on the War March (Refreshed)

Tracks: 5     Duration: 14 minutes 20 seconds

Audio Type: Musical Scores

When the giants march, the world trembles. These world eaters are equally feared and envied for their physical prowess and intimidation. We have added 2 NEW tracks to this Refreshed album which you’ll love. 

Head to BattleBards.com and enjoy the sinful flavor of the week!

[battlebards]

Black Friday Sale: 300+ Tracks across 5 Starter Kits for 35% Off, Today Only!

We all love Black Friday. Early mornings after Thanksgiving Dinner, the great deals that are way too hard to get because of the massive lines and overly caffeinated peeps revving their engines to race you to whatever deals remain. Luckily, we don't have any such limitations here at BattleBards. In fact we enjoy digital shopping in our PJs... err boxers... well you get the picture, likely not wanting to have pictured that.

Anyhooooo check out the 5 Starter Packs we have prepped just for you, and at a massive 35% off at that. That's over 300 Tracks and 3 HOURS of audio!

The Starter Packs cover the basics for the GM and a variety of Character Classes. No need to hunt for individual sounds. Nuh uh, we got you covered with the Starter Packs. So while you're prepping for your long weekend session, check out the details below and then head to BattleBards.com, login, and then go to "Browse" -> "Featured" to get em'.

Album: The Game Master's Kit

Tracks: 178     Duration: 2 hours 37 minutes

Audio Type: Musical Scores, Soundscapes, Monsterscapes, NPC Scripts, Sound Effects, Racial Languages

If you're just starting off with BattleBards or want to get up to speed quickly at a great deal, the GM's Starter Pack is perfect. You get an awesome selection of our best tracks, readying you for everything from a visit to the local Inn, a battle with a freakish Red Dragon, beautiful musical scores to set the mood, spells and weapon sound effects, to environmental soundscapes from the swamps to the forests. If you want an all-in-one, this is the ticket!

Album: The Fighter's Kit

Tracks: 60     Duration: 26 minutes 54 seconds    

Audio Type: Musical Scores, Monsterscapes, NPC Scripts, Sound Effects, Racial Languages

The fighters cling clangs with his trusty weapons and we have you covered with plenty of offensive weapon attack sound effects, Orc Racial language, frightening werewolf monsterscapes, and merchant scripts, and classic musical scores. You'll never be unprepared to slash, stab, or bludgeon your foes for massive XP.

Album: The Mage's Kit

Tracks: 38     Duration: 24 minutes 19 seconds  

Audio Type: Musical Scores, Monsterscapes, NPC Scripts, Sound Effects, Racial Languages

The magician must be prepared for a spell for any occasion and we have you covered. Magic Missile to Fireballs to Psionic Blasts. Whatever your flavor, we got it. Combine that with the spell casting draconic language, sarcastic potion sellers, and magical musical scores, and there is no need to memorize any more spells.

Album: The Cleric's Kit

Tracks: 60     Duration: 20 minutes

Audio Type: Musical Scores, Monsterscapes, NPC Scripts, Sound Effects, Racial Languages

The Cleric is always prepared to handle the undead, as well as to knock heads with his trusty bludgeoning weapons and piercing weapons. From Raise Dead spells, to striking with a War Mace, to speaking the Celestial Language when communing with heavenly deities, your Cleric will be blessed by the audio gods in this Starter Kit.

Album: The Rogue's Kit

Tracks: 42     Duration: 22 minutes

Audio Type: Musical Scores, Monsterscapes, NPC Scripts, Sound Effects, Racial Languages

The sneaky Rogue, unleashing traps where you'd least expect, firing arrows from afar, and backstabbing goblins in the shadows. Don't have too much fun blowing up, grinding down, or piercing multiple holes into your unsuspecting victims with this Starter Kit.

[battlebards]

3 NEW ALBUMS for Halloween just launched on Battlebards.com! Go there and you’ll see it in our Featured section. Beware of the scare!

(1) Crypts of the Dead - Musical Score Album: 6 NEW Tracks with run-time of 27 min 45 seconds

The Crypts of the Dead are to be avoided at all costs. The harrowing screams, the dark chants, and sheer evil emanating it should be warning enough. Yet, those foolish players who wish to visit the center of sin will find themselves without reward and, likely, without their soul.

(2) Ghoul - Monsterscape Album: 7 NEW Tracks with run-time of 18 min 18 seconds

The ghouls are coming and they're hungry. So very hungry. Ravaging your soul from your fresh corpse is but the sweetest of pleasures. The terror comes and your players will never be prepared for it.

(3) Skeletons & Fleshless Ones - Monsterscape Album: 6 NEW Tracks with run-time of 18 min 15 seconds

Further the army of the Fleshless Army against your players with a variety of soulless ferocity directed at your players. The hisses and the demonic breaths will intimidate. The swords, arrows, and numbers will overwhelm.

All available on BattleBards.com

[battlebards]

The howling screams, the haunting chants, the sounds of creepy crawlies inside your mind just enjoying the insanity they shall unfold. Ah, it’s that season again. To soil your players like they’ve never soiled themselves before. 

We have just launched 4 NEW Haunting Albums encompassing 26 NEW Tracks! It’s your role as the GM to ensure the most horrific of dreams are made fantasy-reality for your players and that it is you who truly holds the key to their imagination.. and perhaps.. to their souls. And we’re here to help with truly creeptastic sounds you can’t find anywhere else, but on BattleBards.com 

NOTE: With any album (old, new, or refreshed) you will only be charged for the tracks you do not own in your library. So it’s perfectly fine to redeem an entire album even if you already own some of the tracks. You won’t be charged twice. :)  

(1) Haunted Cemetery - Musical Score Album: 6 NEW Tracks with run-time of 21 min 31 seconds

When this night comes, your fears will surface and there will be saving your soul from the horrors unleashed by the 6 track Haunted Cemetery album. Let this be a memorable session, one which scar your players in ways yet to comprehend.

(2) Skeleton Horde - Monsterscape Album: 8 NEW Tracks with run-time of 24 min 30 seconds

The classic sounds of the Skeleton Horde's overwhelming numbers and nightmarish screams which can only be described by those unlucky enough to experience them first hand. Sheer rage in numbers, with nary a weakness, do not underestimate their ferocity for they are unrelenting.

(3) Zombie Horde - Monsterscape Album: 7 NEW Tracks with run-time of 21 min 37 seconds

Your brain... the most appetizing delicacy from the heavens, soon to be tainted by the darkest, foulest, most ravenous of creatures who will stop at nothing to devour that tender... moist... warmth under there is nothing left but cold, hard, bone. The 9 track Zombie Horde Monsterscape album is just for the brainsssss.

(4) Necromancy Spell - Sound Effects Album: 3 NEW Tracks

The Necromancy Sound Effects Album contains the darkest forms of raise undead magic that only a select few should ever unleash. Beware, for if you are unprepared there is no sanctuary for your own dead corpse.

[battlebards]

Coming Soon: BattleBards Cast - Use BattleBards Online and on any Device!

BattleBards Cast is a killer tool that is going to expand the way you use BattleBards Audio. Sign up for the Closed Beta: https://goo.gl/forms/SMqpPwKGEHGM6uF22

Use BattleBards Audio on any Device for your local sessions!

Finally we have a way for you to access your entire library of audio on ANY device. Desktop, Laptop, Mobile Handset, and Tablets! 

Simply login to BattleBards Cast on any device with a browser and you’ll be able to access all of your BattleBards Audio, Mixes, and Uploads on a clean & simple to use interface. No longer are you bound to a PC/Laptop. That means you can bring your tablet or mobile phone with you to your gaming sessions and start to crank out the tunes

We have built in what we call “Soundboard Light”. Soundboard Light allows you to load up your existing Playlists for use at the tabletop. You can add tracks to or remove tracks from your playlists right from Soundboard Light. More intricate stuff like cropping can only be done from the main BattleBards website but you aren’t going to be using BattleBards Cast for the detailed nitty gritty anyway.

Easy to use, easy on the eyes, and light enough to load up on any of your devices for all of your Local sessions. Finally BattleBards has become truly portable

Use BattleBards ONLINE with your Virtual Sessions!

The heart of BattleBards Cast is to allow you to use your audio online in conjunction with your favorite online platform of choice. Whether it’s Google Hangouts, Skype, or a VTT, BattleBards Cast can work with all of them!

The way it works is you log into BattleBards Cast on your browser, Host a Game Session and then invite users into your game. Load up the relevant sounds you want to play via your Playlists or from your audio library using the Sidebar. When you play a track all of your players will hear it in real time!

That’s it, you can use BattleBards Audio anywhere you play and on any device. Locally or Online. We will be launching BattleBards Cast for Closed Beta shortly so if you want to be a part of it, please sign up here: https://goo.gl/forms/raYsbGaDFENCtC1I3

[battlebards]

BattleBards Partners with Roll20

This is a big day for BattleBards. We have officially partnered with Roll20 and you can read their own announcement on this over at their blog: http://blog.roll20.net/post/151347209025/roll20-partners-with-battlebards-plus

We have been in talks with the fine folks at Roll20 for most of 2016 and it’s due to YOUR insistence about some form of BB integration on their site. This is a HUGE thanks to you. We’d like to detail out what this means for us as a community and help everyone understand what the partnership actually means. 

What does the partnership with Roll20 mean for the BattleBards community?

By offering a selection of audio on Roll20, we hope to introduce ourselves to a larger group of gamers. The intention is continue to grow BattleBards as a community in order to allow us to keep creating new audio and tools for everyone to use in our games. 

What Audio is on Roll20?

The audio that has been made available on Roll20 is a selection of BattleBards Audio that we earlier had up on SoundCloud until the middle of this year. This covers about a dozen tracks from each audio category: music, soundscapes, monsterscapes, and NPC Scripts, along with around 80 odd sound effects.  It’s a small, but solid selection of audio to give Roll20 users a taste of what BattleBards users have been aware of for most of 2016. 

What can Users do with BattleBards Audio on Roll20?

Simply stream the audio in Roll20′s Jukebox

What about Downloading the Audio or the BattleBards Tools?

The audio we have provided on Roll20 cannot be downloaded nor used with BattleBards Tools

What about using your library of BattleBards audio on Roll20... because that is what you were hoping for right?

Huge news! We have a solution in store for wherever you want to use your BattleBards Audio over the internet using whichever application suits your needs, whether it’s Google Hangouts, VTTs, Skype, etc. It’s called “BattleBards Cast” and it’s launching THIS MONTH! 

We have opened it up for a Closed Beta! Just sign up to take part here: https://goo.gl/forms/xpxVOlSJEshDGFzx2 We will be sending out invites shortly

Our next blog post will highlight what BattleBards Cast can do to give you a taste of what to expect. 

We’re so happy to be a part of the Roll20 family and are looking forward to providing all BattleBards users with the tools needed to use BattleBards audio anywhere we choose to game!

[battlebards]

INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC AND YOUR GAME

Hello, and welcome to this blog post on How to use Music in your Role-Playing game, featuring the videos of How to be a Great Game Master and the music of Battlebards.com. This blog is for you if you:

Want to improve your role-playing game by epic proportions

Are ready to take your game to the next level

Are curious as to how music will do that

Or want to understand just how music works

So how do we go about thinking about music for our games? In this first video I explore the idea of why music works for what it want it to do. Please listen with headphones on, and when you can focus on the video because there are moments in the video where you have to listen and answer.

Now that we know about Setting, Tone and Pace and how music can be used to change all of that, we need to ask the next question: How does it improve our game aside from setting the mood, and keeping it flowing? In the next video I explore the ideas of building your library based on what you need your music to do, and I give you a few examples of how to use the music you have to really make you a truly Great Game Master!

But before we continue, it is critical to think of music in your role-playing game as an aide and a tool to help you develop your game experience. It is both for the players and for you! It is important to remember that you are not there as a service provider, a biological computer game if you like. You are there to have fun. Music lets you have fun by being more awesome than you have been before, seeing players physically respond to the power of music and your voice and your story, and in seeing your story, your scribbled notes, turn into a feature film of epic proportions! Never be a slave to your music, it must serve you!

Armed with the knowledge you now have on how to construct your music library, it’s time to go look for music. There are many resources out there, and critically, for those who are serious about constructing their library’s in a powerful way there is battlebards.com. They have music aplenty and its top drawer stuff. Having been specifically written for the gaming community and custom designed for the BattleBards controller it makes running your games super easy from a management point of view, and takes out a lot of hassle in building your libraries.

However if you want to collect soundtracks please don’t use the YouTube soundtracks like the ones called “Fifty hours of epicnessly awesome music”* (you know the ones). The reason is two-fold: One its illegal music use, and two you have little to no ‘skipping and jumping around’ ability. Do the right thing and go online to a reputable online music library and buy the soundtracks you want in your library.

In the third video in the series I look how to use your libraries in a controlled manner, and how to get the most out of knowing your tracks.

It is a wonderfully powerful tool that you have the potential to unlock easily. It takes a little time and effort, but can be amazing. Remember this is a supplement, and an augmenter to your gaming experience, not a change or a replacement or an excuse for poor or sloppy Game Mastering. It is there to remind you about keeping the pace going, about filling the space between thoughts, and about driving the emotion.

Knowing your tracks means controlling your game and the experience. It can only improve your Game Master status. The ability to skip around, and to use tools like what BattleBards provides is invaluable and a must if you are going to add music to your collection.

Some excellent examples of soundtracks are out there, and you should build up a good variety of soundtracks so that no matter what system or setting you are playing in, you have music to help build your game, and elevate it and you to the truly epic position of being a ‘Great Game and Great Game Master’!

*If there is a YouTube video with this name there was no intention to specifically mention it, it was purely meant as a hyperbolic reference.

Guest Written by Guy Sclanders from How to be a Great Game Master. Guy’s YouTube Channel is about sharing Tips and How To's on being a Great Game Master and crafting worlds for your players. If you are more interested in being a great player or getting your players to become errr... greater players Guy also does videos on tips and tricks on making more epic characters and this is found on his other Youtube channel (Bacon Battalion RPG). You can also find him at @BaconRPG on Twitter.

And if you’d like to see the two part interview with Alex, Audio Director at BattleBards covering his insights into the use of audio in games check them out below: