Have a question about multimedia or audio? Ask our Expert, Ken Boyce

Hello, I am trying to put together a device that will allow me to communicate at the brain wave frequency, preferably in the 5 to 8 Hz range. Also, is the type of wave important (sine, square, or triangular)? I want to use this to help me to learn faster, study and remember better. I basically want to give myself instructions in the above categories. I purchased a raspberry Pi for this but I know I will need to add to it.

Please help with this task.

Hello Joyce,

The frequency range you mention is typical for Theta Waves of the brain although Alpha Waves at 8-12 cycles per second are also associated with "learning".

Since the human ear does not normally hear such low frequencies, neuro stimulators create them as beat frequencies between two other higher frequencies.  Generally you would want to use sine waves but it does not appear critical that the sine waves are pure.  Approximate seems OK.

You would need to generate 2 simultaneous frequencies, say 1KHz and 1.01KHz to get a 10Hz difference beat frequency which the brain may internally perceive.  But you would also get a 2.01KHz "beat" frequency as well.

You would have to do a lot of experimenting to pick the best higher frequencies which will generate the desired low frequency beat tone. 

Each frequency would have to be fed separately to the left and right headphone channels since to get the desired internalization of the low frequency - e.g. a binaural audio signal - not a stereo audio signal.  So aside from two frequency generators, you need two separate digital to analog converters as well as two separate audio amps.

Have you given thought to using some existing apps that do binaural beat generation for your purpose, such as

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brain-wave-30-advanced-binaural/id307219387?mt=8

There are some similar ones for Android.

Ken

Hello Joyce,

The frequency range you mention is typical for Theta Waves of the brain although Alpha Waves at 8-12 cycles per second are also associated with "learning".

Since the human ear does not normally hear such low frequencies, neuro stimulators create them as beat frequencies between two other higher frequencies.  Generally you would want to use sine waves but it does not appear critical that the sine waves are pure.  Approximate seems OK.

You would need to generate 2 simultaneous frequencies, say 1KHz and 1.01KHz to get a 10Hz difference beat frequency which the brain may internally perceive.  But you would also get a 2.01KHz "beat" frequency as well.

You would have to do a lot of experimenting to pick the best higher frequencies which will generate the desired low frequency beat tone. 

Each frequency would have to be fed separately to the left and right headphone channels since to get the desired internalization of the low frequency - e.g. a binaural audio signal - not a stereo audio signal.  So aside from two frequency generators, you need two separate digital to analog converters as well as two separate audio amps.

Have you given thought to using some existing apps that do binaural beat generation for your purpose, such as

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brain-wave-30-advanced-binaural/id307219387?mt=8

There are some similar ones for Android.

Ken

Thank you Ken this was very helpful. I plan to make some changes later but this is a good start. I may need to clarify some things later with you.

Thank you very much Ken. I actually downloaded the Apple binaural beats. I have them on sometimes when I sleep. Ken I am also thinking about another project. I have been trying to find a way to help myself and others. I saw this situation where someone was using a cellphone hooked up to some sort of electronics and they were using it to manipulate others behavior, without the other person knowing. At first I didn't believe it, I thought the other person had a listening device. Then I saw it used repeatedly on other people just to prove it to me. I was shocked and have been trying to figure out how I can put this to good use for myself, but the person wouldn't show me HOW he was doing it. That's why I wanted to use the binaural codes but those are just sounds not words. I need help doing this, how do you think this is possible?

Hello Joyce,

Needless to say I  do not like any application that would deliberately set out to manipulate another person unawares.  So I would hope - and advise strongly - that you would not do that.  Aside from the unethical behavior of the act,  you have no way of knowing precisely  how the subject person might react.  That in itself can be dangerous since you might think you have control but you don't.  Even the party showing you this cannot guarantee the reaction of the subject no matter how smart he/she thinks they are in developing and using this type of application.

From a technical point of view, the binaural sounds can be anything which when perceived subliminally by the brain would be one or more of several things:  noise, music, voice (think hypnotic commands), etc.  Obvious audible sounds would not work as the subject would know they are being used.

I don't want to go any further than this.  Even if you try it on yourself, you can easily get into a situation where you no longer control yourself as you might think.   Experienced hypnotists have to be very careful to build in safe guards in what they say to a subject.  And even then some have problems with certain kinds of subjects.

Take heed.

Ken

Thank you very much Ken. You have echoed my sentiments exactly. I decided to try and report this behavior but it was not taken seriously. I am glad you took me seriously and it was refreshing to see your response. Believe it or not no one else had that response. I thank you for your input on the matter. I think I will go forward and try to solve the matter because this is something that is not good.

Thanks Joyce