Ambient music is a genre of music that emphasizes the creation of a particular atmosphere or state of mind. It is often characterized by the use of sustained or slowly-changing harmonies, textures and timbres, and a lack of a strong beat or rhythm. It is often used in film, television, video games, and other forms of media as a way to create a specific mood or atmosphere for the audience. It can also be listened to as standalone music for relaxation or meditation.
The origins of ambient music can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, with pioneers like Brian Eno and Steve Reich experimenting with unconventional soundscapes and ambient sounds. However, it was not until the 1980s that the music began to gain mainstream recognition, with artists like Harold Budd and the Orb releasing influential ambient albums.
One of the key characteristics of ambient music is its use of electronic instruments and effects to create atmospheric sounds and soundscapes. This can be achieved through the use of synthesizers, samplers, and other electronic music equipment, as well as through the use of software programs like Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Cubase, from Steinberg, for instant.
Music producers may also incorporate field recordings and other sounds from the natural world into their compositions, creating a sense of spaciousness and atmosphere. One of the things they often do is to use sounds from the real world, like birds singing, wind blowing or water flowing. These sounds can make the music feel more realistic and make you feel like you’re in the middle of the environment being recorded. They also use effects like reverb and delay to make the sounds feel bigger and more spacious, like you’re in a big open area. It’s like taking real-world sounds and making them into something new and different.
Another important aspect of ambient is its use of drones, which are sustained notes or chord progressions that provide a constant underlying foundation for the music. Drones can be created using electronic instruments or through the use of acoustic instruments, and they are often layered with other sounds and effects to create a rich, textured soundscape.
In addition to its use of electronic instruments and drones, ambient is also characterized by its slow, evolving nature. Ambient tracks are often longer than those in other genres, and they may evolve slowly over the course of several minutes or even hours. This slow evolution allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the music and get lost in the atmosphere.
To create ambient music, producers may use a variety of techniques, including looping, layering, and processing sounds. And adding reverb, echo, and delay to create a sense of space and depth in the music.
Dark Ambient is a subgenre of ambient music that often has a darker, more unsettling or creepy atmosphere than traditional ambient music. It often incorporates elements of industrial, noise, and drone music, and can create a sense of unease or tension in the listener. The music is typically slow-paced and repetitive, with a focus on creating a specific mood or atmosphere. The themes and subject matter of dark ambient music can be quite varied, and can include anything from science fiction and fantasy to environmental issues or political commentary. It’s often used in horror movies and video games as a background music. If you check out our Ambient category you’ll see that we love this subgenre.
When looking for royalty-free ambient music, it’s a good idea to check out multiple sources to find the perfect track for your project. In addition to dl-sounds.com, AudioJungle and PremiumBeat.com are both great places to find high-quality, royalty-free ambient music.
AudioJungle offers a wide variety of ambient tracks, and a search filter to narrow down the results by duration, tempo, and genre. PremiumBeat.com offers a curated selection of hand-picked, high-quality tracks, including a big selection of ambient music. Make sure to also read the terms of use for any music you plan to use, as some royalty-free music may still have restrictions on how it can be used.
Another thing to look out for is the originality of the music, you want to make sure that the music you are using is truly unique and not commonly used in other projects. So, you might want to consider searching for more niche or lesser-known tracks that haven’t been used as much. Using original music in your project will make it stand out and give it a unique feel.
In conclusion, ambient music is a genre that is characterized by its use of electronic instruments and effects, its use of drones, and its slow, evolving nature. By incorporating these technical elements, ambient music producers are able to create calming and atmospheric soundscapes that are perfect for relaxation, meditation, and other activities.