Though not a typical instrument, this looks to be interesting:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3494276.stm


-Shane

if i used it there would be no difference
my brainwaves really are like that

Looks very interesting

my current brainwave interface is incredibly unwieldy...

on the same subject, check this out:

http://tamw.atari-users.net/brainwav.htm

You can also use it as an Algorithmic music generator. You sure can get some interesting results! While Atari, it also works on PC thru Steem.

TC

this looks like a job for the dixie flatline !...

I haven't bothered reading the article, so if I'm just repeating it, shoot me. The technology you made reference to is called "binaural beats", I've been messing around with it for quite some time now. I asked about the legalities behind them quite some time ago on some other board, but nobody could really say for sure- though I'm inclined to believe no one has outlawed them or anything anywhere in the world.

I had figured since it could be dangerous to people using heavy machinery and listening to theta-range binaural beats (sleeping/dreaming) with their headphones on (as it doesn't work unless listened to via headphones) that someone may have decided to make some laws concerning the technology.

Cool Edit has an effect called "brainwave synchronizer", and it encoded binaural beats in to the audio source. The wicked thing about Cool Edit's use of the beats is that it allows you to set a curve. So, in other words, you could have an ablum start at the normal waking frequency and then have it gently glide down to the sleep state.

My experiments have been weird to say the least. I believe I've activated whatever part of the brain is responsible for the past life phenomena, and I've had some pretty abstract "visions" too. I say "visions" because it's like dreaming, but being quite awake too... sort of like a lucid dream... but you're still totally aware of your body... ANYWAY.

There's some other software that uses binaural beats, such as Brainwave Generator for Windows (and possibly other platforms?). The technology has actually been around for a really long time, and there are several hardware units sold by "new age" sale-people and the like. Club drumlines and shaman drums and stuff are supposedly in use of the technology, both for very different purposes obviously.

Oh yeah... some advice. If you use the technology in your songs, I personally think it sounds a lot better if you only apply it to one or two instruments in the mix, instead of the entire song. And don't insert two waves of opposite binaural beats (such as aplha on one instrument, and theta on another) as it doesn't appear that the human brain likes that too much.

They appear naturally too... waves crashing against a beach... tuning a guitar... etc.

How odd that this should make news now. The technology has been around since the 1940's I believe, and it's been sold in one form or another since the 1980's for sure.

No, it's not about binaural beats at all. It is about biofeedback interfaces.

OT:There is a binaural vsti kindly provided by the good people at http://www.ultradia.org/.
DKistner is a member here.

I've yet to find a binaural song posted here, though I am working on one. I'm interested that you say not to use two diff. frequencies at once as this is common in the Brainsync series. Btw, I suppose that it is legal here in the U.S., as they are sold everywhere, though with disclaimers.


Back OT:The article is related to binaural frequencies only in that the device teaches people how to change their brainstates in response to music, which changes the music they hear.

Really cool info you guys posted. I will have to look more closely at all of these ideas. I have Adobe Audition, which is Cool Edit Pro in the new form, so I'll check that feature out. I've seen it there, but never really investigated it.

I recall reading an article about some Australian scientists who had done experiments with brainwaves. They had taught a man to control a lightswitch with his amplified brain-state. Of course, this is the precursor to a binary process, though I doubt that humans would ever be able to do binary operations at the speed of a machine even though we ourselves are electro-mechanical machines on some level. Maybe I'm wrong on that one. But I think that research will eventually be what helps people with missing limbs do certain tasks via machine. People suffering from ALS might also benefit from it. I'd certainly like to be able to just turn off the light sometimes with a thought after I've crawled into bed with a book and then right at the moment when I'm ready to seamlessly drift off, I realize I have to get up and flip a switch.

I have always been interested in those DNA vat computers that come up from time to time in the news, too. Our world is so interesting, and yet we seem to mostly want to stomp out each other and all innovative thinking. Isn't it a shame.

-Shane

yuppiegulag- a binaural beat is created by two frequencies, right? Two tones that are off slightly by a couple Hz, and you're brain here's the tone inbetween the two Hz played in each of your ears. Is that what you're talking about, because that is what a binaural beat is, right? Anyway, I say not to have two sets of binaural beats at opposties ends flowing because my experience has been that your brain doesn't know which set of binaural beats to sync up with. It's more disorientating than anything else.

BTW, next time I will read the article before I comment on it. And i must say, that's gotta be one of the coolest things ever... I can't wait for a public composer that uses the technology!

CreepJoint wrote:

http://www.themindos.com/

Thanks for the link CreepJoint. I didn't know this existed. Their site is strange in that you really have to dig to even find out what it is they are promoting. It's way down in the FAQ after a huge rant about press coverage. Weird.

-Shane

Anaki_Muon wrote:

And i must say, that's gotta be one of the coolest things ever... I can't wait for a public composer that uses the technology!

Careful what you wish for. This from their site:

Some interesting links, all!
Perhaps if the technology develops, I won't have to physically learn how to play the guitar.

@Tconrardy:cool stuff. You remind me how much I miss my ST everytime you post!

@Anaki_Muon: I believe that the brain can track with more than one if the the binaural frequencies are distinct, and especially if they are multiples. Some of the professional tapes use binaural frequencies with carriers waves(?) of different frequencies: 10hz with a low base drone at around 250hz, with a 5hz beat on a pad at 440hz. Anyways, my experience correlates to yours. I have had much better success with just one beat in a piece.

The added frequencies maybe just something to sell as extra ++ good!

Interesting this should come up...

A while back, my doctor had me tested for sleep apnea. For ten hours while I slept, a computer recorded my EEGs, heartbeat, breathing, and 14 channels of data in all. I persuaded the company who did the testing to give me a CDROM with all of my data on it. Eventually I planned to use this data for some sort of musical composition. Unfortunately, the recorded data seems to be in some proprietary binary file format, and the equipment manufacturer was unwilling to divulge the details of the format to me. Eventually, I plan to go back and analyze these files again to see if I can figure out. Anyway, the topic just reminded me about this...

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go reset my ultradian rhythms

deastman wrote:

Interesting this should come up... A while back, my doctor had me tested for sleep apnea. For ten hours while I slept, a computer recorded my EEGs, heartbeat, breathing, and 14 channels of data in all. I persuaded the company who did the testing to give me a CDROM with all of my data on it. Eventually I planned to use this data for some sort of musical composition. Unfortunately, the recorded data seems to be in some proprietary binary file format, and the equipment manufacturer was unwilling to divulge the details of the format to me. Eventually, I plan to go back and analyze these files again to see if I can figure out. Anyway, the topic just reminded me about this... Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go reset my ultradian rhythms

I bet you can find a CSound genius that will know what to do with your data. I recall that the Michael Gogins fellow, who ported CSound into a vst form, has done aleatoric music, etc. Try CSounds.com and track him or another person like him down. Those poor souls live for this kind of challenge...

-Shane

Here's another news story that can be connected to our discussion if you consider the outworking of this technology:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/03/24/health.robotics.reut/index. html

Sh@ne S@anders: =agent provocateur!

Very interesting, I seem to have read a report recently on the same thing. It's wonderful that the technology could be used prosthetically. Will be interesting to see how they get around the human testing as the FDA is a maze. I wonder when wires will be able to reparie damaged neurons?

Hey, I just found this thread. It's quite interesting.
I have a few points that I'd appreciate clarification on, as I haven't worked with brainwave freqs before. I have Cool Edit 2k, and I'm considering using the Brainwave Synchronizer.

First, what is the advantage (if there is) of using the BS on a single instrument rather than the entire track?

Second, if I process an instrument with the BS, would using compression, EQ, etc on that track afterwards mess up the brainwave frequencies applied to the instrument?

And third, would it be better to use the BS on a soundscape in a track or on the drums, if they're already hypnotic by themselves?

Which reminds me, some of my tracks already bring my mind to a peculiar state (I've actually had "hallucinations" listening to some of them), so is there any way to find out whether the frequencies of the track/drums would somehow interfere with the frequencies applied by the BS?

I hope somebody has the answers.

Thanks