Re: [AUDITORY] Neutral sound for a relaxation experiment

[Kevin Austin <kevin.austin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Having recorded ocean waves since the mid-1970s, I would suggest a good recording of ocean waves rather than an algorithmic version of AM white noise, as I have found that real [acoustical] ocean waves are among the most complex ‘simple sounds’ in nature. There are usually multiple asynchronous cycles, and there is, IME, never one simple wave. Each wave is a continuously evolving noise complex with lots of variables. These include spectral changes resembling band reject filters, phase shifters and transient resonances.

The wave breaking on the beach adds two more basic elements, one the wave collapsing onto the beach itself, and the other the ‘sucking back’ that occurs as the water recedes and stones and particles tumble back into the ocean. This is added to by the number of waves which can be heard from any one place.

For some people I have met, the sound of moving water installs fear. I would suggest the sound of a gentle wind in tall pine trees.


Kevin




> On 2017, Sep 19, at 8:11 AM, Bob Masta <audio@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> How about "surf" sound, such as white noise with a slow 
> AM modulation?  Easy to generate "live", and can run for 
> as long as you want.  More soothing than continuous 
> white, pink, or "colored" noise.
> 
> If you don't already have a suitable system, the signal 
> Generator in my Daqarta for Windows software can do 
> this with any Windows sound card.  Let me know if you 
> are interested, and I can get you started with a Generator 
> setup which you can easily modify to change AM depth or 
> rate, etc.   
> 
> Since it only uses the Generator, it's free!  (Keeps working 
> even after the trial period expires.)
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Bob Masta
> 
> =======================
> 
> On 19 Sep 2017 at 11:05, Aurore Hakoun wrote:
> 
>> Dear list,
>> 
>> One of my colleagues is conducting a study about the comparison of EEG activity between two relaxation conditions: a postural relaxation versus a voice-guided relaxation.
>> She would need an emotionally neutral auditory stimulation for one of her conditions. This neutral hearing stimulus will last 20 min.
>> 
>> Do you have any clue about what kind of neutral sound she could use?
>> 
>> Many thanks in advance,
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> 
>> Aurore Jaumard-Hakoun.