Good, ambient music for sleeping?

urahonky · March 2011

Hello H/A I need your help once again.

I am currently looking for some ambient music to listen to while I try to sleep. See every morning at 7am I have birds that sit outside of my window and chirp until their lungs can't chirp anymore. I own a PSP and decided to put some music on it and listen to it drown out the birds..

Except that it isn't really helping me sleep. I put some lounge music on there and I spend more time listening to the words than sleeping. So I'm looking for some music without words, preferably techno-ish.

Any ideas where I should start?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdUpxch4F8M

Something like this without the words would be absolutely amazing!

Esh · March 2011

This is what fall asleep too. It's not exactly what you're looking for, it's a lot more ambient and not as poppy, but it's pretty amazing.

You can guy a 4CD set here.

EDIT: Most of the songs on the CDs are sans vocals, FYI. This is just an example that I could find.

urahonky · March 2011

Holy crap that's good, Esh. Thanks!

Rehab · March 2011

You could try Ghosts I-IV by NIN.

Main Site wrote:

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

I think all of the tracks are available off the main site here if you click on the "listen" link.

All instrumental and techno-ish stuff and a lot better then most ambient stuff I've heard.

Esh · March 2011

urahonky wrote: »

Holy crap that's good, Esh. Thanks!

De rien.

If you're interested in buying it, I'd do it soon. I don't think there are many copies left.

You might try looking into some Dead Can Dance if that tickles your fancy.

desc · March 2011

If you happen to have an iphone, you might try the Ambience app. You can layer together different sounds for explicitly this purpose. Has the ability to set a timer, so that the sounds slowly fades in or out over however long you want.

adytum · March 2011

My favs

Global Underground: Afterhours - Volume 2 (Full Album)
Global Underground: Afterhours - Ibiza - CD 3 (The Future - Chilled)
Steve Lawler - Viva: Day 3
Le Cafe Abstrait - Volumes 1 through 4
Any volume of Cafe del Mar

Most should be on itunes or amazon

Some are less ambient than others but all tend to put me to sleep if that's what I'm trying to get out of them.

Bonus: They're all really good listening, too!

BigBear · March 2011

I know they're not really techno-ish, but Explosions in the Sky and the XX work pretty good as sleepytime music.

It also helps that they're really good bands, too.

RubberAC · March 2011

BigBear wrote: »

I know they're not really techno-ish, but Explosions in the Sky and the XX work pretty good as sleepytime music.

It also helps that they're really good bands, too.

Agreed, most of Sigur Ros' stuff works great too

I can't recommend the Sleepbot cast enough, it's pretty much... exactly what you're asking for
http://www.sleepbot.com/ambience/broadcast/

adytum · March 2011

Ulrich Schnauss is another good one.

urahonky · March 2011

Rehab wrote: »

You could try Ghosts I-IV by NIN.

Main Site wrote:

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

I think all of the tracks are available off the main site here if you click on the "listen" link.

All instrumental and techno-ish stuff and a lot better then most ambient stuff I've heard.

Wow, this stuff is really good. I don't know how I missed it before, thanks Rehab.

I'm currently going through the thread suggestions now, give me time to reply back.

Nimble Cat · March 2011

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

hungry carrot · March 2011

i recommend deadmau5's strobe

inlemur · March 2011

Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 is a 2-disc album of exactly what you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkVT2NwiAgY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVvjXJentik&feature=related

urahonky · March 2011

Nimble Cat wrote: »

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

What's a Buddha Box? Google hasn't pulled up anything that seems to help me figure this out.

Also I don't have a smart phone, so no iPhone/Android apps.

Esh · March 2011

urahonky wrote: »

Nimble Cat wrote: »

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

What's a Buddha Box? Google hasn't pulled up anything that seems to help me figure this out.

Also I don't have a smart phone, so no iPhone/Android apps.

I think he means the Buddha Bar CDs.

urahonky · March 2011

Esh wrote: »

urahonky wrote: »

Nimble Cat wrote: »

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

What's a Buddha Box? Google hasn't pulled up anything that seems to help me figure this out.

Also I don't have a smart phone, so no iPhone/Android apps.

I think he means the Buddha Bar CDs.

Ahhhh Yeah I have those CDs. The problem is that I focus on the words... Incredible CDs to work on homework and stuff though. Really relaxing.

Tam · March 2011

seconding Aphex Twin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koivVlaW7js

very short, but you can just put it on loop and it's smooth

urahonky · March 2011

I'm digging the Aphex Twin... Also this Explosions in the Sky song (Your Hand in Mine). I'm so glad I asked you guys. Please keep it coming!

Rikushix · March 2011

I'm going to go out a limb here because I think a little deviation from the norm is good for self-discovery.

It's not quite "music", but may I suggest Rainy Mood?

I love falling asleep to it. Just fantastic. But it depends how much you want static noise and how much you want music.

urahonky · March 2011

Rainy Mood is the best thing in the entire world, but I don't have a way to play it while laying in bed.

Rikushix · March 2011

Damn! It was a worth a shot.

Neither do I really but it's nice when I fall asleep on the sofa next to my desk :P

Esh · March 2011

Rikushix wrote: »

I'm going to go out a limb here because I think a little deviation from the norm is good for self-discovery.

It's not quite "music", but may I suggest Rainy Mood?

I love falling asleep to it. Just fantastic. But it depends how much you want static noise and how much you want music.

I was using http://www.soundsleeping.com/ for a while, but I like yours better. I just set my MacBook Pro next to my bed.

ahava · March 2011

I've been using Cello concertos and things to fall asleep lately. Mostly because i left my ambient 'native sounds' or whatever cds back in the states. you know the ones,, they've got the native american flutes, the rain drops, etc. pick em up at walmart for like 8 bucks.

but then, if i'm tired enough, i can fall asleep to just about anything.

Rikushix · March 2011

Esh wrote: »

Rikushix wrote: »

I'm going to go out a limb here because I think a little deviation from the norm is good for self-discovery.

It's not quite "music", but may I suggest Rainy Mood?

I love falling asleep to it. Just fantastic. But it depends how much you want static noise and how much you want music.

I was using http://www.soundsleeping.com/ for a while, but I like yours better. I just set my MacBook Pro next to my bed.

I've heard good things about soundsleeping but never tried playing around with it. Definitely powerful stuff - though I can see why Rainy Mood is so popular. Simplistic, but it's also a very long and varied loop.

I forgot to mention something, on that note. If you're in the market for it, OP, you can always get a device for static noise (either one of those waterfalls which I think are hella cool, even if they can be a pain to set up) or a static noise machine.

Personally? I have this:

I've had it for four years but it works wonders. Besides AM/FM radio, CDs and any audio devices via auxillary, it plays four different nature sounds. Three of them (ocean, stream, forest at night) are really nice in general, and decent enough to fall asleep to. But the last one is chimes, and it's honestly the most realistic electronic generation of chimes I've ever heard. Knocks me out like that. It's just as good waking up to it, too.

That's merely for your consideration as I realize it's not quite what you were asking for but if you need things that help get you to sleep...

On the topic of music, I will simply say Sigur Ros. I'm partial to some Aphex Twin but not all of their stuff.

Hermus · March 2011

I really dig Stars of the Lid for sleeping music. Here's one of their songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSOFCQMNkRg

Godfather · March 2011

hungry carrot wrote: »

i recommend deadmau5's strobe

I'm sorry, but what? Strobe is hardly music for sleeping.

Deadmau5 makes music for clubbing. Strobe is one of (if not his most) popular song, and it's all about the lengthy build up before the delivery. It's designed to get you pumped up, not put you to sleep.

I'd probably advise against this suggestion unless the man wants to throw a rave in his sleeping quarters.

ahava · March 2011

Now now. Be nice. I used to fall asleep to the lovely sounds of Rob Zombie and KoRn. Not necessarily the most ambient music, but to each their own.

Also, I've owned one of those magic machines that Riku posted. The forest sounds were amazing to fall asleep to. the waterfall ones used to just make me have to use the bathroom.

But personally, lately I've been using a cd that i bought of yo yo ma doing Bach's cello concertos. As well as many other classical music options. But it's not exactly ambient either.

I've been looking into some buddhist/hindu chants and the chimes and things. So who knows. Maybe I'll borrow from the suggestions here.

seasleepy · March 2011

urahonky wrote: »

Nimble Cat wrote: »

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

What's a Buddha Box? Google hasn't pulled up anything that seems to help me figure this out.

Also I don't have a smart phone, so no iPhone/Android apps.

He means a Buddha Machine. You can get an actual little physical box that will play a loop, there's also a website with a "wall" of them so you can set up several playing different loops.

Regina Fong · March 2011

I find Enya's music to be a powerful sedative. YMMV but i don't think I've ever heard one of her songs all the way through when I'm tired without zonking out.

Rehab · March 2011

urahonky wrote: »

Rehab wrote: »

You could try Ghosts I-IV by NIN.

Main Site wrote:

Nine Inch Nails presents Ghosts I - IV, a brand new 36 track instrumental collection available right now. Almost two hours of new music composed and recorded over an intense ten week period last fall, Ghosts I - IV sprawls Nine Inch Nails across a variety of new terrain.

Trent Reznor explains, "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point. This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams. I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference. I hope you enjoy the first four volumes of Ghosts."

I think all of the tracks are available off the main site here if you click on the "listen" link.

All instrumental and techno-ish stuff and a lot better then most ambient stuff I've heard.

Wow, this stuff is really good. I don't know how I missed it before, thanks Rehab.

No problem! I really like the album myself and thought of it immediately when I saw the specifications that you wanted. If lyrics weren't an issue, I would have recommended Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and some Smashing Pumpkins. I have to listen to something when I sleep myself, not necessarily to create white noise, I just like listening to music or a podcast before I pass out. Only I have often gone to sleep listening to metal at a volume level that would keep anyone else awake, so I'm weird like that.

As an aside, I don't know if you've seen The Social Network, but Trent Reznor actually did the soundtrack for the movie. A lot of it is similar thematically to Ghosts so I thought parts of the soundtrack were from the album while watching the movie, without knowledge that its actually all original. He is also going to do the soundtrack to the American version of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which should be cool.

urahonky · March 2011

Just to clarify something: I need the music to get back to sleep because there are birds outside my window that just chirp as loud as they can. This usually occurs at 7:00am give or take a half an hour.

I have almost no trouble actually getting to sleep at first.

Tav · March 2011

I love these songs for falling asleep to and you might too! It's a nice aul mixture of ambient and post-rock...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2AXXPiT3Ls&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aLjup934Rk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXTVDOHt-No

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36U4ez7AzKA

urahonky · March 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFjvzuPnmRU

Thanks to Pandora and your guys' suggestions this song came on and I think this is perfect to listen to as well. Tav I will be listening to your suggestions shortly. I appreciate it!

Regina (I'm sorry CT changed your name, haha): Enya is indeed good. I might have to find a CD of hers (I know my sister has them somewhere).

Hermus: That song is really, really good. I'll have to search for their CDs now!

I listened to Aphex Twin this morning and it's so, so good.

twmjr · March 2011

I think every music thread I find a reason to recommend Hammock. For sleeping music? You can't do better. I actually generally won't listen to them on the drive home from work for fear of falling asleep. Here's their youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Hammockmusic and a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rENnKECnfs&feature=channel_video_title

soxbox · March 2011

"Sex" by The Necks used to have a near-permanent home in my bedside CD player (why does that sentence make me feel old?).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaTyHFo3kns

urahonky · March 2011

twmjr wrote: »

I think every music thread I find a reason to recommend Hammock. For sleeping music? You can't do better. I actually generally won't listen to them on the drive home from work for fear of falling asleep. Here's their youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Hammockmusic and a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rENnKECnfs&feature=channel_video_title

Holy crap..... Amazing.

urahonky · March 2011

soxbox wrote: »

"Sex" by The Necks used to have a near-permanent home in my bedside CD player (why does that sentence make me feel old?).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaTyHFo3kns

Wow this is really, really good too!

I'm so glad I posted this thread here! I was going to go to Pandora and hope for the best.

Nimble Cat · March 2011

Esh wrote: »

urahonky wrote: »

Nimble Cat wrote: »

Get a Buddha Box. There's also an iOS app and a website that you use.
It plays a short sound on repeat ad infinitum. Very relaxing.

Brian Eno also has an ambient music series (Music For Airports, etc.) that is very good.

What's a Buddha Box? Google hasn't pulled up anything that seems to help me figure this out.

Also I don't have a smart phone, so no iPhone/Android apps.

I think he means the Buddha Bar CDs.

Sorry, I mistyped that. They're actually called Buddha Machines.
http://www.fm3buddhamachine.com/

Here's the website where you can listen online. http://aux.zendesk.com/wall/

soxbox · March 2011

urahonky wrote: »

Wow this is really, really good too!

In that case, other CD's that lived by my bed include:

Victorialand by the Cocteau Twins
Some other Necks albums (notably Silent Night and Aether).
Dirty Three
Do Make Say Think
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Silver Mt Zion
Hungry Ghosts

I'll make special mention of the Dirty Three:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbWTUtScWa4

And Hungry Ghosts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS9SUmAyKWM

Because of the overwhelming awesomeness of both (though for Hungry Ghosts you really want their self-titled CD's, which don't have much/any youtube presence, and I'm unsure of their wider availability).

Beck · March 2011

I reckon you'll like Eluvium a lot, if you don't have their records already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la1n7TkexQY

Their album "Copia" especially.

Penny Arcade

Quick Links

Good, ambient music for sleeping?

Posts