Build custom playlists to set the mood
The jack-o'-lanterns are carved, the candy is in a big bowl, and your costume is ready. You need only one more thing to set the mood for your trick-or-treaters or Halloween party: scary music and sound effects.
With digital music and sound effects, you can easily brew your own playlists to put a chill in the night air. Burning these playlist potions to a CD to play at your party or the front door to greet trick-or-treaters will definitely make the night come alive with the sounds of Halloween.
Collecting music and sound effects
First you need to collect the ingredients needed for these frightening potions. It is easy to find collections of Halloween music and sound effects online. Many online music sites and stores that sell CDs carry Halloween related music and sound effects. There are even some CD compilations made specifically for children which are perfect for a party of young princesses and goblins. You can also create your own list of songs that you know you want and download them individually from your favorite online music service.
Doing a quick search online we easily found CD collections that included:
| • | Halloween culture classics: All ages will recognize Addams Family theme, Monster Mash, and Ghostbusters. |
| • | Spooky favorites made just for children: Who knew that there were Halloween songs like If You're Scary and You Know It, Five Little Pumpkins, and 5 Little Pumpkins? |
| • | Classic Halloween sound effects: All of the standards including screaming people, ghoulish greetings, and UFO and other alien sounds. |
| • | Scary sounds of horror: These types of CDs include groaning people, fearful animal noises, and extreme sound effects meant to really scare party goers and trick-or-treaters. You're likely to find some with a few eerie background sounds such as wind, heartbeats, and thunder claps included. |
Do your own search, and find the CDs that are right for your ghoulish plans. Then get to work building your playlists and customizing your CD.
Halloween playlist ideas
Having your music stored digitally on your computer allows you to create customized playlists to fit your personal interests. This is a great advantage for making a Halloween custom CD and we've put together some tips to help get you started on your creation.
| • | Rock your Halloween bash with music appropriate to the occasion by mixing classic Halloween tunes with eerie sound effects. You'll put smiles on people's faces and raise the hairs on the back of their necks at the same time.  |
| • | For a kids' party you can combine music and sounds that will capture the Halloween spirit without scaring the little ones too much.  |
| • | Many sound effect clips are short so try adding the same clip into your playlist multiple times in a row to create a sustained sound.  |
| • | Add some interesting transitional effects between sustained sounds to add even more creativity to your mixes. For example, add a thunder clap between a sustained wind effect, and you've got a stormy night. |
| • | Play a custom mix of Halloween spooky sounds at the front door. You'll set the stage for your frightening appearance even before the trick-or-treaters ring your bell. |
Get creative by mixing and matching sounds that create a chilling experience. As you can see, making custom CDs isn't just for mixing music anymore.
