Subject: Re: [AUDITORY] Neutral sound for a relaxation experiment From: Kevin Austin <kevin.austin@xxxxxxxx> Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:28:50 -0400 List-Archive:<http://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>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 =E2=80=98simple sounds=E2=80=99 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 =E2=80=98sucking = back=E2=80=99 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@xxxxxxxx> wrote: >=20 > How about "surf" sound, such as white noise with a slow=20 > AM modulation? Easy to generate "live", and can run for=20 > as long as you want. More soothing than continuous=20 > white, pink, or "colored" noise. >=20 > If you don't already have a suitable system, the signal=20 > Generator in my Daqarta for Windows software can do=20 > this with any Windows sound card. Let me know if you=20 > are interested, and I can get you started with a Generator=20 > setup which you can easily modify to change AM depth or=20 > rate, etc. =20 >=20 > Since it only uses the Generator, it's free! (Keeps working=20 > even after the trial period expires.) >=20 > Best regards, >=20 > Bob Masta >=20 > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D >=20 > On 19 Sep 2017 at 11:05, Aurore Hakoun wrote: >=20 >> Dear list, >>=20 >> 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. >>=20 >> Do you have any clue about what kind of neutral sound she could use? >>=20 >> Many thanks in advance, >>=20 >> Best regards, >>=20 >> Aurore Jaumard-Hakoun.