Mass Effect 3 Ambience Music (mixed by Douglas Howarth)

[@RobBlakeSound]

I made these ambiences, I was the audio lead on ME2&3 :). I'm glad people enjoyed them, to be honest, I was pretty shocked to see anyone notice them! I just wanted to fill the emotive and thematic hole in the hubs as I didn't want a traditional score in them to avoid music fatigue, but with nothing they sounded too 'flat'. Some of them were also made for emotive or abstract sections of the narrative where we didn't have music but needed something to push the player's feelings in a certain direction. The team worked incredibly hard on the audio for this game, a lot of love went into it and there are a lot of audio cross-references & Easter eggs... so it was pretty tough to see the fan reaction with the ending after we'd put so much into it, but after about two years I think I'm pretty much over it now :) I've left Bioware now though, but the next game is in very good hands and I'm excited to see where they take it next.

[@Nivailo]

This is so awesome Rob, thank you for responding. These ambience pieces are the thing that keep that very particular game atmosphere together, amazing work. I myself find listening more to this mix these days than the original score, and I think a lot of folks here can relate. Is there any chance you could talk some more about "pushing player's feeelings in a certain direction"? Like, where in the game have you used these ambiences to direct certain emotions and how did you planned them to work out? Was there any emotional curve for specific levels or chapters you wanted to achieve? Also how big was ME audio team? As the audio lead, how difficult was coordinate such a big project on so many levels? This game stands out with the audio work like no other. With the music, the sound design (!), the mix (dynamics!) and attention to details, I could only start to imagine how much tweaking and programming went into the final product.

[@RobBlakeSound]

Wojciech Wasiak Hey :) Most of these ambiences were used in the 'hub' levels, such as the Citadel. We really wanted the Citadel on ME3 to recapture some of that sense of wonder and awe that existed in the first ME. You spend a lot of time on the citadel so I didn't want a non-stop music score as it would either mean a LOT of music required or a lot of repetition, leading to boredom. The problem with having no music at all is that having just sounds doesn't lead the player's emotions in any direction, originally we tried it this way and it felt too flat. Essentially what I wanted then was to still have a feel of awe and wonder but without being so consciously obvious that it attracts too much attention and people get bored of it or are aware of what's creating that feeling. I think these ambiences capture that good middle ground well. If you want to read more about the sound of ME3, check out this big interview in Sound On Sound: www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun12/articles/mass-effect.htm All the best :) R

[@Unblind898]

Through the game's story, there's a prevailing sense of dread/sadness. These ambient pieces capture that, perfectly. This music is burned into my memories! Well done, Rob.

[@turnerofwheels]

Just adding on to the compliments.. I was disappointed that most of the ambient sections were missing from the OST! The sound design and ambience in ME3 were music to my ears. I played most of the game with my PS3 hooked up to my studio monitors, totally worth it.

[@Jonatron101]

The only bit I didn't like was the silence at the very start. Not having the ambient music there was very uncomfortable.

[@DJDa9L]

I miss playing the Mass Effect series for the first time. What a journey that was

[@hellnotno]

Again, perfect for studying. Or appreciating a sunset on a walk home. The atmospheres embedded through the Mass Effect universe was incredible. When you consider what makes a video game great, people often overlook music & sound. But they're integral - yet very subtle - components. Without them, or if they're not done correctly, whole chapters and segments have lost their effectiveness. Composers are unsung heroes more often than not.

[@Plowned]

Incredible things was [sic] incredible indeed.

[@user-gu5oe3cb8s]

It's true

[@thomasbaker2149]

I feel compelled to comment as I've revisited this for years. In 2012 I was finishing college and this was the soundtrack to my study; then later at university it remained my go-to; and now aged 27 I come back to this when working on big projects at for my job. It's been a constant for me when I'm deep in work. So thanks!

[@0ne_jellyfish567]

If I can´t fall asleep, I play this on my headphones, and imagine myself in Mass Effect Universe, it´s just.... Calm, slow and relaxing, just turning myself off from everyday stress and depression thanks to this.

[@MasterKiller64]

The image used is still funny to me. I find it amusing a reaper felt the need to come and destroy a single farm house.

[@cjware316]

***** Its a reskined/Photoshoped Walking Dead Ad.

[@inaquianallforce4042]

+MasterKiller64 The funny part for me was him running twards it. The fuck is he going to do to it?

[@dea.molition]

He left the ice cream in the fridge.

[@elkhanmammadli6267]

hahahah :D

[@NoXion100]

They got the scale completely wrong as well. From the looks of it that's a Sovereign-class Reaper, which are two kilometres long. Even a large farmhouse would be mostly obscured by the tip of just one claw. Reapers are *huge*.

[@JoshuaKapusinski]

These ambiences are perfect for when I write. They really set the tone for great sci-fi stories.

[@ChristopherLeBlancArtAndDesign]

+Joshua Kapusinski Definitely, I play this music when I'm drawing/painting. Helps a great deal with inspiration.

[@Omega4Productions]

+Joshua Kapusinski I'm currently trying to write a scene during a conversation; I didn't want combat music, for that's too intense. But this music...utterly perfect. Almost like the music is writing, not me. Hahaha.

[@JoshuaKapusinski]

+PressAForStupidity that's awesome; what kind of stuff do you write?

[@Omega4Productions]

Joshua Kapusinski Fanfiction, mostly. If you want to check me out, my fanfiction account name is ArchReaperN7. My current work is Holocaust.

[@dea.molition]

I listen to this while writing lore for the Sci Fi series I'm working on. Keeps me inspired to work.

[@SonofJones]

More than any other movie, book, show or game I've ever played, the Mass Effect series perfectly captured the feeling of dread with an unstoppable enemy inevitably coming to destroy everything and everyone you care about simply because they can. And this ambiance in 3 is perfect because it never allows you to feel too at ease, as you're constantly reminded of how much everyone in the galaxy is suffering. How there is almost no real hope left, the only chance that anyone will come out alive is the mysterious Crucible. Which makes it that much more satisfying to finally defeat the Reapers at the end.

[@eugenel4265]

20:31 - Shepard nightmares. Pure mind.

[@jasper_saberwolf]

I found this ambience mix last winter and have been enjoying it ever since. Its one of my go-to ambience soundscapes that just seems to fit whatever mood I'm in and sometimes helps me get to sleep. I also use it to study to. Its versatile and I like how it still has that cyberpunk vibe that the rest of mass effect has. I hope that if/when they make a 4th ME, they'll keep these great ambient tracks along with the others futuristic tracks throughout the game that provide a great atmosphere. I read the comments below previously written by the gentleman who composed these ambient tracks. He's got some talent! I love how they made this sound so appropriate for the citadel and still it wasn't distracting or too monotonous. Im about 2/3 the way through ME3 and even though I've heard countless warnings about the ending, Im keeping an open mind and will check out the alternative ending provided with the DLC. After that, I might read some of the ME books until they ever release a 4th game. Let's hope it makes fans happy in the way the original game did!

[@microtonalmilio5233]

That first segment of music…… god damnit…. In the feels, the tears.

[@Skullzi]

I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite composition on the Citadel.

[@roger1724]

I used to play this a long time ago whenever I needed to relax before falling asleep. I'm glad this still exists, it's somewhat nostalgic for me. Thanks for the upload :')

[@ludovicdisson3668]

So dark, and cold, and mysterious... And soothing. Been listening to this for years... Still loving it Amazing to fall asleep to this. It sounds like a dream... Like something unreal... Like all existence is but a strange illusion. And so I listen to this in bed, say goodbye to the waking dream, and hello to the dark and kind embrace of the night, until the dream begins again in the morning...

[@Surica-T]

Once again I find myself here, listening to this sound and feeling weightless for a moment.

[@dragonieprayer]

'the dream' track is so beautiful.....

[@aaronnunez9870]

I put this on loop on my speaker system in my room while I slept. I've never experienced such a peaceful night of rest. Thank you to whomever developed this.

[@Fr0st1989]

fucking loved mass effect 3's ambiance :D

[@leifleifnephew5154]

I love this. So incredibly relaxing, yet never boring. I just put on the headphones, close my eyes, and I'm off into space.

[@JayPhel96]

13:00... chills.

[@arturbogdan353]

I think the idea of Shepard actually walking on Earth, especially on such a nostalgic, country side road as in this pic, is to add personal importance to his quest the player might find otherwise missing considering Earth in a personal setting is actually never visited in the game.

[@FrickenFrak]

Still listening in 2020....6 years past...i'm scared...listening to this music reminds me of my young ages....

[@297fihsy]

I hope these ambient tracks are louder in the next game, the ambient tracks were my favourite thing about Skyrim as you explored that world

[@missbaltica]

Wojtku, to jest najbardziej wypaśna rzecz, jaka wpadła mi kiedykolwiek w ręce. Idealne do słuchania w trakcie pracy ! Być może gdzieś już to tu napisałam, ale wracam do tego mixu praktycznie codziennie ! :)

[@olaokolaok]

This really takes me to the past man.

[@EdTzani]

Still does today...

[@olaokolaok]

@@EdTzani And so will always!

[@lightingfield5213]

=]] that's a great feeling

[@JesperHauerslev]

11:10 = goosebumps! ☺

[@stickle5034]

Man, love what you did with the tunes, totally awesome!

[@pricture]

Btw if you guys like Mass Effect themed/inspired music, you should really check out the following artists! - *Jimmy Hinson* (Big Giant Circles), *Draco Nared*, *Filip Olejka*, *Michael Wittering*, *N7 Nico*, *Nicholas Powell*, *Jacob Lake* {He has two KZbin channels of the same name}, *Vulmen*, *Sebdoom*, *Chiffmonkey*, *Mattia Cupelli* {in particular his Mass Effect 3 and Red Sand albums} , *Alex. H* (ReplaySunyo), *zAllex*. Also see the song "Revelation" by Position Music. Don't forget the official artists of course; *Rob Blake*, *Sam Hulick* (MD Designer), *Jack Wall*, *Clint Mansell*, *Cris Velasco*, *Sascha Dikiciyan* (Sonic Mayhem), *John Morgan* (Powerplant Music, composer of Dark Star club music}, *Saki Kaskas* {composer of Upper Afterlife music}, *Jesse James Allen* {composer of Lower Afterlife club music} - Anyone else I missed just look on the credits! You should be able to find them all on KZbin, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp. If you have trouble let me know and I'll share links!

[@SunBunz]

omg these are sooooo chill! I love you for uploading these!!!

[@robertbrown3064]

I want a complete remake of the Mass Effect trilogy! It would have to really be done right, though. Not something like the Halo: Anniversary editions, but an actual from the ground up rewrite. Same story, same voice actors (if they can get them), but more content, more polish, and a more satisfying ending. Something that honors and builds upon what is already there, not replaces it. The Bioware execs would have to get off the dev's backs for a release date and just keep the money flowing. Let them make the trilogy we always wanted, the one such an amazing story deserves. We didn't get it the first go-round. It was almost, but not quite, so I feel a remake is justified. I know I speak for many people when I say I'd be willing to shell out some serious cash for such a remake. Update the graphics, physics, and NPC AI. Fix the damn bugs already. Listen to the community and address their concerns with the original trilogy. Make the gameplay consistent across all 3 games. I'm looking at you, ME1's infinite ammo and repetitive Mako assignments. Double the singleplayer campaign content with new missions, assignments, cutscenes, squadmates, conversations, codex entries, clusters and systems, and explorable planets. Even players who've been through the trilogy half a dozen times should feel overwhelmed at the sheer depth, complexity, and beauty of the universe they've once again stepped into. Give us more dialogue options while hanging out on the Normandy, let the characters grow in new and varied directions, and feel more alive. Expand the maps in exporable locations like the Citadel and Omega with more places to see, things to do, even some places that don't necessarily advance the plot but deepen the level of immersion. I want to walk into a bar and be able to hear 10 different conversations about anything from how much the Blasto sequel sucked to a Turian pitching the idea for a joint-species Lacrosse league. The galaxy is a big place, let us see what it has to offer. But most of all, redo the ending to ME3. Imagine if it was done right, if we had more than a few different flavors of the same ending, but a plethora of different outcomes, each with a long and highly polished cutscene that gives the player real closure, even if the choices they made turn the story into a tragedy. We got a feel for this kind of REAL consequential decision making with ME2, but the potential was so much greater with ME3. What an incentive to go back and get it right, to see your favorite characters survive! The Suicide Mission was done so well. ME3's ending should have been even better, with the stakes so much higher.

[@olaokolaok]

+Robert Brown All you're saying is just too damn hard, after all, games are business and Casey Hudson left Bioware, plus they're making Andromeda. It sounds good and like a miracle but i think sadly; it's just not going to happen.

[@robertbrown3064]

Sergio Esteban Fritz Rieloff True. Would be nice, though. Perhaps one day when the average consumer has access to more AI and raw computing power than he knows what to do with, someone will just be able to ask his PC to take care of it. 2 hour later, *DING!* You've got yourself a remastered and remade Mass Effect Trilogy.

[@trooperodst6880]

@@robertbrown3064 great ideas........new stuff needs into ME triology dozens of uncharted and charted planets dozens of assignments new vehicles new squad..... :DDD

[@seth3491]

Your wish has been granted

[@elkhanmammadli6267]

so strong I downloaded it for insurance policy

[@PoeticPage]

Simply fantastic... seems as if I could feel the whole universe around me, flowing through me while listen to this tune... thanks for uploading that.

[@RequiemOfTheFirst]

Gives you a feeling as though you are drifting... Calmly drifting. Incredibly relaxing and peaceful.

[@rossbrown4214]

This is some of the best ambient music on KZbin

[@mindaugasanuzis9802]

Nobody: Reaper: Fuck this farm in particular.

[@pingopete]

Man; 14:50 onwards, so euphoric

[@T0m0zuki]

I love to listen to those melanholic tunes :)

[@Theo2077Nikolov]

Cyberpunk/Sci-fi atmosphere

[@SilentShadow07]

I'm falling asleep right now :3 thank you!

[@Dopafiend88]

Thanks! I love this sort of thing, i have it playing in my background as I speak :)

[@Fiddlestickz1]

Absolutely fantastic mix that honors the great ambience pieces in ME3, i always just sat there and soaked up the athmosphere of this track in combination with where it was playing, they really got it spot on.

[@dvmjw8715]

Here is LIKE for you, buddy. Great work!

[@Youngsourena]

Than you so much for the music , this song is amazing , and I listen too it while I'm watching the stars at night, it's magical

[@elwingy]

This is absolutely awesome... thank you for this I am listening to it while driving to work... a strange sense of serenity and peace, just prepares me for every tough day ahead! An amazing feeling...

[@viqol]

Love this. Keep me calm if i had a bad day.

[@luRivaya]

man, youre great! i love the music of hook. its so deep

[@lMobiuscidl]

Best ME slow mo Ambience video 👍😉

[@paytonpringle8414]

This is wonderful.

[@angelgariaparra8452]

alright ... the first 2 minutes is all i needed to sub

[@kr0gan]

Beatiful

[@Paintchk218]

Beautiful....

[@wysiwyg2006]

some of the best games every!

[@faizachvlogs2655]

perfect

[@Fiddlestickz1]

Very nice work, i like it when people appreciate good music like this.

[@olaokolaok]

WOW 7:18 is a lot more powerful than it was on the game or the official soundtrack or is it just me ?

[@Armor_of_Torrent]

its not just you and i don't know about you but i like the transition from the citadel ost to the character select theme at 10:51

[@olaokolaok]

yes, pretty good!

[@elkhanmammadli6267]

@@Armor_of_Torrent you know what that transition is the best part in the whole damn citadel update: 8 years passed 😭

[@sassmunstr]

beautiful !

[@kirbybro4]

Heck yea pricture! Even though some people would say the dream music in me3 is sad, i use it as thinking music, take for instance an example,is halos ambience. Its perfect but it more distracting. This kind of music is less distracting and the soundscapes it has is one of a kind.

[@Skullzi]

Because, that is Shepard's parents. And because, that is Shepard. He more or less kills a Reaper on foot while on Rannoch, lol.

[@acroninja21]

love the part around 19:50

[@Ramt33n]

I listen to it looped! :)

[@NCRTXXX]

This is fucking amazing.

[@gerrard9631]

Well done Doogs. im moved to know that im not alone in this, why this music is not available to buy is beyond me. it brings home to me the impending doom of the reaper cycle & past cycles, ie (THE PROTHEAN EXTINCTION) but i also feel a slight glimmer of hope for the(ORGANIC FLEET) when the bass drops off & then you hear that higher sunrise effect . Well done ROB BLAKE for making mass effect what it is & for being so consistant unlike BIOWARE who really shat on me & the rest of the fans. Mass Effect would not be what is without your song. ( YOU SING LIKE THE RACHN ) That piece of music reminds me of the group (TANGERINE DREAM.(.German) & more so a techno guy from NORWAY who goes by the name (BIOSHPERE), Have you heard his music at all ?

[@sergeyzaika3320]

Can't recognize anything from the game, but what a stunning sound!

[@Astrosimi]

All the ambient tracks are slowed/warped versions of previous series tracks (EDIT: This isn't quite the case, see comment below) Embassies - Noveria Hub Theme Huerta - The Illusive Man Theme Team Selection Screens - Uncharted Worlds (Galaxy Map) Shepard's Dream - Leaving Earth

[@Nivailo]

That's only the case for Leaving Earth though, and this was done from the track stems so its rather a remix in its form. The rest are Rob Blakes compositions, see pinned comment.

[@Astrosimi]

@@Nivailo My bad, the original themes popped out so much to me that I assumed. Thanks for correcting.

[@manwhowearsabox3116]

very cool stuff here

[@erminamlak]

True space music...Best game ever... where is Noveria music?

[@HAXGGEZ]

The first one is technically the Noveria music, it was reused in ME3 for the citadel embassies section with a slightly different mastering and environment (and there is probably more to it, but these 2 are definitely altered).

[@AntzolY111]

@@HAXGGEZ i love this stuff best thing against depression

[@LightHOwUSE]

13:16 Ashley Rejoins - #1 for me)

[@DizzyDadProductions]

Thank you. For this.

[@Tectonium]

Thanks for the great work

[@spain1983carlos]

thank you this is perfect for relax

[@trooperodst6880]

New decade who here?

[@DrPhil-vw2pq]

Trooper ODST I’m always here this stuff helps me sleep or relax

[@trooperodst6880]

@@DrPhil-vw2pq me too bro :D love it so much helps me when I'm down or sad

[@DrPhil-vw2pq]

Trooper ODST it’s honestly help me get through college through all the stressful times and now I’m in my last semester about to graduate :D

[@trooperodst6880]

shawty awesome man :DD ah college :D

[@Skullzi]

Link for the image please? Didn't see any information about it in the description.

[@Nivailo]

Added link to description :)

[@Skullzi]

Thank you!! (:

[@anthonyockerman5782]

Hey, I found this track again thanks to all the ME Remaster rumours!

[@tyrelljackson7317]

Not a rumor, the remaster is coming out on Friday.

[@bobsags1406]

Legend says, the reaper was a manifestation of a group called EA and that it was sent to destroy some lone developers progress in the creation of some game for Omni-Tools

[@JoshuaKapusinski]

Do you have a link where I can download this as an mp3 file?

[@whiteknitejonnywhite]

clipconverter.cc

[@Dannyboy974]

The reaper is tiny. Think about it, the house is wider than it's leg.

[@AarenJable]

Sweet

[@lars38010]

Not ambience but Ambient.It is a music style.

[@Nivailo]

+lars38010 "...ambience (also known as atmosphere, atmos, or background)...". Percisely the role this music has in game. :) The fact it IS an ambient genre at the sime time is quite a coincidence.

[@lars38010]

Wojciech Wasiak ambience is not a genre or a ambient genre.Ambient music is very atmospheric and is used as background music.To be more specific this is Dark Ambient music.Melancholic/sad,and mysterious.

[@strategossable1366]

Why does the image start to shift and warp when I look at it for too long?

[@aninsvet]

very nice! :)

[@TheNefari]

listen and relax :D

[@SilentShadow07]

The walking dead & mass effect?! Epic!

[@corpsordie6541]

So many of you wrong. The man is clearly just looking for the missing half of his left leg.

[@Ograws]

that picture looks like the promotional poster for season 2 of the walking dead

[@MonkaCZ]

This is the reason I always loved Mass Effect. For the music and the whole experience. Somehow it brought me places I've been before - was it home?

[@cjjtahoe]

Do you have this in FLAC or a high bit rate mp3?

[@Nivailo]

Caleb Jones Hi, I do have 320kbps .mp3 file on the disk (which was used for this youtube video), but mind you, it's based on in-game files which have been encoded separately by Bioware to .ogg, so remember that quality will be the "in-game-type", nothing better.

[@cjjtahoe]

Wojciech Wasiak Dude you rock! That works perfectly for me!

[@roger1724]

+Wojciech Wasiak (Douglas Howarth) Could you upload the mp3 on mediafire for us?

[@maximilianstrauss8536]

this is the modified picture of the walking dead series commercial presentation

[@grathapilot]

the ambient music was the best thing about ME3. Not saying there weren't good things in the game either but... y'know.

[@HydrogenAction]

Could you tell me how you've extracted these tracks from the game? I'd like to do it myself!

[@ITsHxCTOASTER]

Go to the rateyourmusic charts and search for releases under the "ambient", "dark ambient", and "drone" genres. As far as artists go, I would personally recommend Venn Rain, Tim Hecker, Deathprod, David Andree, Aidan Baker, Cylon, and Stars of the Lid to get you started. Ambient music is one of my favorite genres, feel free to message me if you have any questions or want more recommendations.

[@AsparagusVideo]

The music at 13:00 sounds invariably similar to a melody found on "Ambient Nights Solar System - Jupiter". In fact, it either sounds inspired by... or possibly ripped off. I hope Hephaestion was given the proper credit.

[@ProjectXH]

I looked everywhere on the internet for these tracks. Where can I buy these?

[@Nivailo]

I'm afraid you won't be able to do so, as they were not included on official soundtrack, and thus never released.

[@ProjectXH]

Wojciech Wasiak Noooooooooooooo! How do they not publish these?? :(

[@ProjectXH]

***** I know. I just felt compelled to support the composer who made them, they're really nice.

[@Fr0st1989]

+ProjectH even if you did buy them the composer wouldn't see much, if any, of that money

[@ProjectXH]

Fr0st1989 Hmmm

[@Skullzi]

Ah, a Templar! /Wears hood /Climbs Nearby building What? You see NOTHING!

[@captaincharlieIII]

Could you make some download links to get each track separately, please? I'd love to be able to listen to these on the go.

[@Nivailo]

Thing is, these tracks were taken out of game sound files directly, which means they are prepared for game playback by audio engine, and hence are in "loop" format, meaning, they have no beginning, nor end, and are cut on both sides. For the purpose of this mix, I did loop them manually, faded in and out and mixed them as you can hear, but I do not have them on my HDD anymore. Try using the extraction tools for ME game files and take them out yourself. The names for the files used are in the tracklist in description :)

[@captaincharlieIII]

Thanks I may do that

[@danb4751]

It makes me so mad that andromeda was killed off for Anthem. BioWare and EA needed to put full effort into ME:A instead of trying to create a *whole new game* I hope BioWare doesn’t give up Andromeda. It has SOO much potential

[@mikeity2009]

While this wasn't a good finale (Still a decent game i know dead horse is dead) The music is still perfect, Feels more like deus ex ambience than anything else.

[@AbsoluteBumder]

Why was a reaper sent to destroy a single, isolated house? And why is Shepard attacking it on foot?

[@grathapilot]

pretty sure it's just a slowed down version of the ME galaxy map theme. Kinda like how the first bit is a slowed down version of the Noveria theme from ME1. No need to call the music cops =P