OSRS Podcast Episode 20 with Mod Surma: how the audio team builds Gielinor's sound
Episode 20 of the Official OSRS Podcast (published 31 August 2026) is the first audio-focused episode. Guest Mod Surma walks through how the OSRS audio team creates the game's music, sound effects and ambience — the custom tools they use for sound effects, the classic instrument palette, and the move from 8-bit to 16-bit audio. The episode also covers how Sailing opened up richer ambience and sampled sounds, and touches a long list of musical moments across the game, from the Brutus cow and duck-filled boss track to Tombs of Amascut, Song of the Elves, Nex, Varlamore, Doom, Guardians of the Rift, the Alan Walker collaboration, Blood Moon Rises and Raids 4.
Key takeaways
- Episode 20 is the podcast's first audio-focused episode.
- Guest: Mod Surma, from the OSRS audio team.
- Topics: music, sound effects, ambience, custom tools and the classic instrument palette.
- The move from 8-bit to 16-bit audio, and how Sailing enabled richer ambience.
- Published 31 August 2026 (recorded March 2026).
What's in the episode
The Official OSRS Podcast Episode 20 is the first audio-focused episode, and it brings Mod Surma on to talk about the OSRS audio team. The discussion covers how the game's music, sound effects and ambience are created, including the custom tools the team uses for sound effects and the classic instrument palette that gives OSRS its recognisable sound.
The team also talks about the move from 8-bit to 16-bit audio over the years, and how Sailing — the newest skill — enabled richer ambience and sampled sounds across the game's coastal and island content.
- First audio-focused episode of the podcast.
- Custom tools for sound effect creation.
- The classic instrument palette behind OSRS's sound.
- 8-bit to 16-bit audio evolution.
- Sailing enabled richer ambience and sampled sounds.
Music and moments mentioned
The episode name-drops a long list of musical moments and game content. It includes the Brutus cow and the duck-filled boss track, Tombs of Amascut, Song of the Elves, Nex, Varlamore, Doom, Guardians of the Rift, the Alan Walker collaboration, Blood Moon Rises and Raids 4 — a tour of the game's audio highlights and the tracks players still talk about.
If you are interested in game audio or the creative side of OSRS, this is the most inside-baseball episode yet. It was recorded in March 2026 and published on 31 August 2026.
Questions players ask
Who is the guest on OSRS Podcast Episode 20?+
Mod Surma, from the OSRS audio team. It is the first audio-focused episode of the Official OSRS Podcast.
What is covered in Episode 20?+
How the OSRS audio team creates music, sound effects and ambience, including their custom tools, the classic instrument palette, and the move from 8-bit to 16-bit audio.
When was Episode 20 released?+
It was published on 31 August 2026. The episode itself was recorded in March 2026.
How does Sailing relate to the episode?+
The team discusses how Sailing enabled richer ambience and sampled sounds across the game's coastal and island content.
Where can I listen to the Official OSRS Podcast?+
The Official OSRS Podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms. The news post link is in the sources below.
Sources and verification
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Independent fan-made OSRS content. No Jagex affiliation or endorsement.