Turn Off The Music in Kalimdor.

I love the music in game.  The music department really did a fabulous job fitting themes to areas.  Some of my favorite times in game are with the music on high and my headphones on, ignoring the kids and husband while I fiddle around doing whatever it is I do in game, listening to the music.  Sometimes I even pop in one of the soundtracks I have when I'm not playing,  because I love the music.

Matty over at Sugar and Blood asked in a post today, " when you're feeling stressed out, can't sleep, or need to pull it together, where do you go in Azeroth in your mind's eye?" Well, I often go to Azeroth in my mind.  The environments in WoW have therapeutic qualities when I am raging and need to calm down, when I am sad and need a pick me up, when I am frustrated and need to work something out.  Today, I ventured into Azeroth without the music, to find those places that soothe me, make me smile, and help me think.

Great fishing spot!

Ashenvale next to water, in green areas, has the soothing lapping of water, the piping, tittering, and cawing of birds, wind chime tinkling, and frog sounds.  All these are great for soothing my brain when I am so mad I could just scream!  If I need it, I'll hang out here and fish, just for the extra sound of the cast and catch.  Bonus sound if it is raining.  It just adds to the soothing effect.

Sulfuron Spire.

Mount Hyjal, in the fiery area near Sulfuron Spire, is great for a outdoor camping kind of feel.  The pop crackle of the fire, night bird sounds, and the sound of the more than a breeze but less than the wind blowing through the burnt skeletal trees is wonderful.  To get this effect, sit on the hillside just above the lava pools.  Too close and the sound is no longer wonderful and more of a dull roar.

Beryl Egress in Winterspring.

Behind me as I face this cave where no doubt blue dragon eggs were hidden away for centuries, there is a small camp with a campfire.  The sound in this area cools me, even during this hot summer.  Walking into the cave, it has the typical wind blowing through the tunnels sound, accompanied by the crunch scrunch of the snow under my feet.  Further into the cave there are arcane tesseracts that make electrical fizzing and crackling with occasional wizard bolt sounds.  To get the wind howling effect only, stay at the entrance or go all the way to the back of the cave.

One of the Oasis Pools in the Barrens.

No, that is not a dead body.  Delgada does sun bathe from time to time, just out of the public view, mostly for their comfort.  The tropical bird sounds and lapping water make me happy, almost as happy as killing qullboars, but we'll discuss that later.  Another good place for this sound, if you want a more resort like feel, are the Steam Pools in Feralas.

Because the rest of Dustwallow just isn't photogenic.

Pretty much anywhere in the land part of this zone has great insect, frog, and toad noises.  Tabetha's Farm is a great place to kick off your boots and wade in the shallows. This reminds me of a few road trips we took as kids, parking off the side of a road with the windows down just a bit to let in a cool breeze. The cicadas were so loud that I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep in the crowded back seat of our Datsun station wagon, but I did. If you like this area for ambience, try near the tar pools in Un'goro Crater.  All the fun bugs and toads, with the slow bubble pop of the tar.

You can probably guess by now that every area makes me happy in some way.  I like hanging out in Tanaris with Winkey for the beach sounds of waves lapping on the sand and sea gulls.  But not for long.  She's a little needy, and creepy.

No, I will not rub lotion on your exposed areas, and stop calling me Cutie!

Vir'naal Oasis in Uldum, in between rapids.

Tropical bird song with rushing water is lovely.  Don't stand too close to the falls, or it will be the only thing you hear.  The rest of Uldum is windy, with crawling bug noises.  I'll hang out here after I'm done digging, thanks.

Cow!

I love a good storm.  To get the full effect of this one, stand close to Malfurion in Darkshore, right in the middle of the tornado.  Thunder and wind and more thunder and more wind!  This is feel good stuff for me, because a storm in the desert wasteland where I live is a rarity.

Exploring this continent was not my intention, but I seem to have stumbled upon something.  It's always about the escape for me, so I think you can expect another post about ambient sounds in the many areas of the different continents of Azeroth.  Thanks, Matty, for giving me some blog fodder!