BINAURAL
SOUND SYSTEM
( BSS )
DOCUMENTATION
This software was originally programmed to
get a feeling for frequency relationships. As it is possible
to key in the frequencies in Hertz directly, different music
scales can be investigated easily, by moving the mouse at a
certain position on the circle, which results in a different
strength of each frequency according to the distance to the
mouse cursor. The next step was an implementation of a random
pathway. Some combinations of frequencies produce a very relaxing
sound, and so it was evident that to further improve this part
the introduction of binaural frequency shifts was necessary.
Now the BSS can be used for generating sound for Relaxation,
Meditation, Intelligence increasing, Sleep induction, Supralearning
...
or as a interactive sound generator, which
allows in addition to change the binaural frequency in real
time or by a programmable pattern!
Everything was kept very simple, but as there
are quite some parameters that can be changed, a load and save
option for the configuration of BSS, have been added.
The sound in BSS is fully calculated in real
time with extended numbers and down graded to 16Bit and the
desired sampling frequency. So CD quality is easily reached
on a Pentium 400MHz PC!
CONTENTS
1 MAIN SCREEN.........................
2
2 CONFIGURATION........................ 3
3 SHORTCUTS............................ 5
4 APPLICATIONS......................... 5
5 HOW TO LISTEN TO BINAURAL MUSIC...... 6
6 WHAT ARE BINAURAL SOUNDS?............ 7
7 INSTALLATION......................... 8
8 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS... 9
9 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION............... 9
10 LICENSE.............................
10
11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.......... 11
Here is
the main window of BSS:
Seven frequency centers are placed on the circumference
of the circle (Frq 1 - 7). The nearer the position of the cursor
to a center, the higher is the signal strength from the corresponding
frequency. When the mode (configuration screen) is set to normal
the current circle position will change slowly to the mouse
position. When show pathway
is turned on, you will see black dots moving towards the mouse
cursor. This speed can be modified on the configuration screen.
By pressing the C
button, the configuration screen becomes visible:
The following parameters can be changed:
Language: Deutsch and English are currently supported.
Positionchangevelocity: This value
gives the distance between two points of the pathway. The unit
is in percent of the radius of the circle. So the same settings
will result in the same kind of sound independent of the screen
size.
Time
step in ms: Time in milliseconds
between two points of the pathway.
Separation
of colors: The higher this
value, the more are the centers separated from each other. This
is as well true for the frequencies. To get a feeling for this
value, simply play with some numbers from 0.1 to 200.
Audio
cutoff frequency in Hz: This
is a low pass filter setting, to avoid clicks in the sound.
It should be set a little bit higher than the highest used frequency.
But of cause you can play with that value as well! The audio
cutoff frequency must be always below Sampling frequency divided
by 2!
Strength
of white field: It is possible
to place a white field in the middle of the circle for only
visual reasons. This value gives the strength of the field.
Size
of white field: That is
what is says!
Sampling
frequency: Most sound cards
only support certain sampling frequencies. Most common are 44100,
22050, 11025 samples per second. The higher this frequency,
the more computation power is needed. On a Pentium II 400MHz,
44100 samples per second work out well, as long as there is
no hard disk access by any other software. If you encounter
any problems with speed, reduce this value. Of cause the higher
this value is, the higher is the sound quality.
List
of the seven sound centers:
There
are two frequency sets that can be chosen directly and a user
defined setting.
User
defined:
Color: For each center a color can be set by using RGB
values (red, green, blue). Values between 0 and 255 are valid!
Number: A number that can be changed, but has no effect
at all yet!
Name: This is the text that will appear near the sound
center around the circle!
Frequency: This is the frequency of the sound center.
Mode: There are two modes: Follow mouse and Random way.
Follow
mouse: The pathway will always go towards the current
mouse cursor position, if it is within the circle.
Random
way: Exactly what it says!
Show
pathway: Check this if
you want to have the pathway plotted.
Binaural
sound settings: This is
a table that allows to program a pattern consisting of up to
50 steps.
Abbreviation:
BAf ... BinAural frequency
Duration
/ s: When this time is
over, the settings of the next line will be used. By pressing
on the BACK button the program starts automatically with the
first line. If a static BAf is to be set up, a long duration
time has to be chosen. By default each line is set to 86400
seconds = 1 day.
BAf
in Hz: This is the target
binaural frequency to be reached. The frequencies of the left
audio channel are risen by half of the current BAf, while the
ones from the right channel are lowered by the same amount.
This can be switched by using a negative BAf. The current BAf
will be changed with the Rate value.
Rate
in Hz / s: It is possible
to exactly determine the rate with which the BAf will be changed
to the target frequency. The value is given in Hertz per second.
For example 1 Hz/s means that it takes 10 seconds to change
the BAf from 30Hz to 20Hz. If a negative value is chosen the
sound will stop when this line is reached and the configuration
screen will be brought up!
Text
field: Can be used to key in information about the configuration.
This text is saved and loaded with the configuration
In addition the whole configuration can be
saved and loaded again by pressing the according buttons. The
GET DEFAULT VALUES button resets the configuration to the original
values. If a DEFAULT.BSS configuration file exists, it is loaded
during startup of the program, if it does not exist default
values are taken. So if you want BSS to startup with a certain
configuration, save the settings under the filename DEFAULT.BSS
into the folder were the program is located! Extensions never
have to be entered, they will always be BSS.
Some configuration values can be changed in
real time, during sound generation on the main window.
Cursor up / down
... Increases / decreases the BAf by 0.1Hz
r ... Switches between Mouse mode and Random way mode
k ... Turns text on / off
Page up / down
... Increases / decreases the Separation of colors
value by 25%
c ... OPENS THE CONFIGURATION SCREEN
In addition the current position on the circle
and the current BAf can be locked and released again by pressing
the left mouse button.
As it is possible to key in the frequencies
directly, different temperatures and scales (5 tone, 12 tone)
can be studied easily.
The RCL frequencies are included here as example.
They cover a frequency range from about 150Hz to 400Hz.
For further information go to RCL's Web site:
http://www.schoolofwisdom.com/pub.html
Another example are some Lambdoma overtone
frequencies:
256Hz, 288Hz, 372Hz, 480Hz, 448Hz, 320Hz and
341Hz.
For further information go to one of the Lambdoma
Web sites. Here is a starting point:
http://elucida.com/
The applications using binaural sounds are
explained in the following chapters.
This depends on what you want to do.
When binaural sounds are to be listened to,
the effect by using headphones is higher than with normal loudspeakers,
because the left and the right channel are separated better.
Some people say that the vibration of the acoustic waves on
your body has as well an influence of your sensation and you
should listen to it as loud as possible but without destroying
your ears, and the good relationships with your neighbors through
loudspeakers! So probably it is the best to simply try out different
ways of listening! Turn off all additional effects that the
soundcard is capable to create (like 3D Stereo Enhancement).
The easiest way to check out the following
methods is to load an existing configuration setting which either
comes with BSS or which is available from my Web site (http.//frankl.comdesign.at/).
RELAXATION
You should sit or lay down in a convenient
position and try not to think about anything! The most effective
BAf are in the theta and alpha range of about 4Hz to 14Hz.
MEDITATION
Here are as well theta and alpha BAf's in use,
some times with alterations for short duration's to higher frequencies.
You should definitely avoid to become sleepy, so it is better
to sit than to lay in this case. There are a lot of different
methods that can be used like visualization of certain situations,
landscapes, lights within or outside of your body ...
I refer you to the huge amount of literature
and Web- sites that are dedicated to this field.
SUPRALEARNING
The BAf's that are in use here are at about
30Hz to 40Hz. One method is to set the volume very low, so that
you nearly don't hear anything, and work on the subject of interest
during listening. There are a lot of improvements to this, and
I refer you again to specialized literature and Web- sites.
SLEEP INDUCTION
Try the following setup. Put one loudspeaker
on each side of you bed, but far enough from your head so that
they do not disturb you. Set the volume so low that you just
hear the sound very weakly! The applicable BAf range is 1.5Hz
to 3.5Hz.
The following configuration files are distributed
with BSS and can be used for the applications mentioned above:
refresh15min.bss
relaxation32min.bss
meditation32min.bss
sleep7h.bss
learning50min.bss
These files can be changed easily if you want
to.
By putting electrodes onto the head, it is
possible to measure an electric signal, which has its origin
in the brain (EEG). By analyzing these signals it was found
out that one very important information lays in the frequencies
that are produced by the brain, and that these frequencies correlate
with different consciousness states as relaxation and meditation.
These frequencies lay between 2.5Hz and about 40Hz.
Different acoustic, visual and other signals
were imposed on a person to see if the brain would adapt to
the presented signals. One method that worked out was the use
of binaural sounds. This means that the acoustic signal presented
to the left ear has an offset of the desired brain wave frequency
to the signal going to the right ear. So for example the signals
for the left and right ear are chosen to be 320Hz and 332Hz
then the brain would start to produce 12Hz waves.
There is one simple experiment that shows that
the brain interprets signals with slightly different frequencies
(and phases) in a strange way. Use headphones for this experiment.
Choose a frequency difference of 0.1Hz (=BAf). This results
in the effect that you hear the tone moving slowly from one
ear to the other, even though the signal of both channels have
the same strength. Check this out by removing one of the headphone
speakers from the ear!
Simply
double click on the setup.exe file to start the installation
process. Then follow the instructions, which are given there.
The
following files are installed by the setup process:
BSS.EXE
BSS_DOC.PDF
LICENSE.TXT
REGIST.TXT
refresh15min.bss
relaxation32min.bss
relax10min.bss
meditation32min.bss
sleep7h.bss
learning50min.bss
REGISTRATION:
If
you have received a registration key, follow the steps below:
1.
Install the Binaural Sound System (BSS)
2.
Start
BSS by double clicking on the symbol (Desktop, START/BSS, or
directly in the directory where you have installed BSS.
3.
When BSS is running press the 'L' key. This
brings up the REGISTRATION screen.
4.
Key in the User name that is provided with
the registration key
5.
Key in the registration key
6.
Press the REGISTER button
7.
That's it.
This
only has to be done once!
UNINSTALL
1. Change
to the directory where you have installed BSS
2. Double
click on UNINS000.EXE
3. That's
it
Currently BSS only runs under Windows 95 and
98. Unfortunately it does NOT run under Windows NT or 2000!
On a Pentium 400MHz it is no problem to run
BSS with 44100kHz. Anyway it is recommended not to use any other
programs simultaneously, as sound gaps occur mainly when there
are hard disk accesses.
A Pentium 166MHz will only be able to process
up to 22050 samples per second.
All sound cards that are recognized by Windows
95 / 98 should work!
There is a delay between the display and the
according sound. This happens because of the audio buffer that
is in use!
This program
is distributed through:
http://www.shareit.com/
If you encounter interesting experiences please
send the details to me. Please include which setup you have
used, and a description of what happened! I will always keep
a collection of files and texts on my Web site (http://frankl.comdesign.at/).
Remarks, improvements, suggestions for further
versions, bug reports and wishes are as well welcome!
You will find links to other related Web- sites
and literature on my Web- site!
Be aware of the license on the next page!
Good luck,
Martin Frankl
-----------------------------------
EMail: m.frankl@comdesign.at
WWW: http://frankl.comdesign.at/
-----------------------------------
===================================================================
= Binaural Sound System (BSS) version 2.1 License
===================================================================
Except where otherwise
noted, all of the documentation and software
included in the
BSS setup package is copyrighted by Martin Frankl.
Copyright (c) 1999-2000
Martin Frankl. All rights reserved.
This software is
provided "as-is", without any express or implied
warranty. In no
event shall the author be liable in any
consequences for
loss of properties, equipment and health, and
other damages in
any form resulting in direct or indirect use of
this software and
its sounds. You use this software at your own
risk.
You may not emulate,
clone, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile,
disassemble or otherwise
reverse engineer this software, except as
provided for in
this agreement.
The unregistered
and personal version of BSS is for personal use
only. You are under
no circumstances allowed to record, sell, copy,
distribute, further
process or use with third party software the
sounds that are
generated by BSS. You do not have the license to
use the sound of
BSS for public transmissions in any form.
Permission is granted
for users of the professional version of BSS
to use its sounds
for any purpose including commercial
applications, public
transmissions, and to alter and redistribute
these sounds.
Permission is granted
to anyone to distribute the BSS setup file
"BSSsetup.exe".
Permission is granted
to copy, distribute, publish or otherwise use
the configuration
files saved and loaded by BSS with the extension
".bss"
You are under no
circumstances allowed to copy,
publish, distribute,
rent, sell, modify or release in any form the
registration file
"license.lic" or the registration code.
Martin Frankl
===================================================================
= EMAIL:
m.frankl@comdesign.at
= WWW:
http://frankl.comdesign.at/
===================================================================
For the most updated version of FAQ's, please
visit my Web site!
Q: I
do not hear any sound, why?
A: There are several possibilities why this
can happen. One is that the sampling frequency chosen on the
configuration screen does not fit with your sound card. Normally
a sampling frequency of 11025, 22050 or 44100 should work well.
Read the documentation of your sound card to find out which
sampling frequencies are supported. Another possibility is that
the volume is not set properly. First check if the volume on
you loudspeaker is high enough (not all loudspeakers have that
capability). Second, check if the mixer settings are correct.
Double click on the loudspeaker symbol in the lower right corner
of the Windows START Bar. The sliders for Volume Control and
Wave are in use with BSS. Make as well sure that the Mute box
is NOT checked!
Q: I
hear some noise, can I get rid of that?
A: BSS does not produce any continuous noise
at all. Internally the signal is calculated in a much better
quality than a audio CD signal is, and then downgraded to 16Bit
audio CD quality. The reasons for hearing noise could be that
the microphone is turned on (go to the Mixer and check all the
MUTE boxes except the one for Volume Control and the one for
Wave) or that the active loudspeakers produce the noise (reduce
the volume of the loudspeaker, and increase the volume of the
Mixer) or that the soundcard itself produces the noise (buy
a better soundcard).
Q: Nothing
happens (Sound always stays the same) when I move the mouse
around, or when I change to the random mode. What's wrong?
A: Most likely you have pressed the left mouse
button, which freezes the current status of BSS. Press the left
mouse button again to continue. The other possibility is that
the computer you are using is to slow for the sampling frequency
that you have chosen on the configuration screen. Use a lower
sampling frequency!
Q: What
is the difference between the professional and the personal
version of BSS?
A: The only difference is the license (so the
program is the same). With the professional version you are
allowed the use BSS with other people, clients, in therapies,
for training and so on. In addition it is allowed to grab the
sound and incorporate it in your own products like music CDs,
Tapes, for learning, relaxing. With the personal version you
are only allowed to use BSS with yourself!
