that would be the "lost chord" - it exists, you just can't find it...

Sure it exists. Zappa found it and named it Fish Minor. I'm sure I've hit it accidentally, but unfortunately it was during a live performance and wasn't recorded.

I took this snapshot at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry last week:



It was a demonstration of one aspect of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/w.i/Double-slit_experiment

mike_mccue


pure genius... why didn't I think of that? :-S

Hi Mike


Nice chart, this might sound flipant but isn't meant to be(!) but the chart above, is that for equal temperament?


Andy

I think a clarification is in order.
The intermodulation of two tones at the difference and sum frequencies are not real tones, they are beating frequencies, ie, amplitude modulation at those frequencies.
If the two signals are very close (less than 10Hz difference), as when tuning an instrument, we can hear the amplitude modulation or beating. We can not notice amplitude modulation much faster that that, and we won't hear it as a tone because it is not.
Another thing is that a non linear function on the signal can create a real tone component at the beat frequency. This is called IMD or intermodulation distortion. Assimetric analog circuits are prone to cause IMD, specially if meaningful power is involved.

I came across this a couple of years ago..my uncle introduced me to it.One of the companies selling points was that by using binaural beats over an extended period the listener could 'program' his brain into differant states of consiousnous.What put me of was that they were saying that the listner could reach the same spiritual level (or calm or oneness baby whatever rocks your boat !!) as a monk in a matter of weeks - in other words no need for yoga,Taoism etc,just put your headphones on and voila you are now in Alpha land.So after prolonged binaural therapy you'll be like "Cup of tea Jesus ? Why thank you ! Pass me a biscuit will you Buddha,and how is your meditation going today ? " hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Maybe if there was some independant research was done on it some good could come out of it.At the minute its presented as a quick fix solution which hoodwinks people to empty their pockets not for the sake of nirvana but for a small group of people laughing all the way to the bank :(
My uncle BTW still has the same issues hes always had.He's spent over 2k on this technology ! Mastermind theres loadssssssss of fun to be had with playing with binaural beats,and learning about freq. modulation is a great way to improve your production skills.Just don't get suckered like my uncle !!!!!!!
Kev

I wonder what happened to the OP. He hasn't come back to report on his experiment. Probably off conquering the world through sound-induced mind control.

bitflipper


I wonder what happened to the OP. He hasn't come back to report on his experiment. Probably off conquering the world through sound-induced mind control.

The idea maybe isn't so much mind control as something else. Google i-dosing.

Mastermind


Thank you for your help. I should probably mention that this experiment is for a project to determine how specific sound frequencies and groups of sound frequencies affect human psychophysiologic functioning (i.e. reduce anxiety and provide other health benefits such as control over pain). Although the frequencies are in the mid-range, it is possible to introduce higher or lower ranges. For sound localization the human auditory system analyses interaural time differences between both ears inside small frequency ranges, called critical bands. For example, if a 900 Hz sine wave is played into the right ear and a 350 Hz one into the left ear, the brain is entrained towards the beat frequency 550 Hz. Therefore, I’m hoping to use a variety of ranges and instruments to accomplish my goal.

Just as long as your not trying wireless power distribution 


btw Try 9.615 Hz for that extra bass feel

There's apps for that.  I know sounds cliche, but, I have played around with binaural beats as well.  I used Sound Forge utilizing their sine wave synth and created two different frequencies, one for the left and the other for the right channels.  When played as an audio file with head phones you can really feel the effects.  

Then, I later found some apps on my iPhone that do the exact same thing with variable frequencies to change the tempo of the beats. These usually come with additional sounds like nature, rain, ocean,  etc, which are switchable and able to be shut off.  

I was impressed with them.  It sounded strange to me too when I read articles on it.  But, it is real.  

Both Dim Pro and Rapture come with many options for their microtonal capabilities.

The the mulititude of .scl files that it uses to map to that many different scales are created with this tool. 

http://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/

You'll also find that harmonic relationships can even be seen with a tool called a harmonograph which not suprisingly show the prettiest patterns when some tonal combination is likely to sound pleasing also.

For some using standard tuning systems but slightly flat or sharp from A=440 are said to be of some benefit but that is likely going to be to do with specific listeners rather than having a universal benefit.

You'll find out that what you are trying to do is a very involved subject that many mathematicians, philosiphers, musicians and all kind of sound adventurers have been fascinated and engaged in for aoens.

Fortunately you don't need a rake of complicated and expensive equipment to get involved yourself, but it's not a subject for the faint of heart or if you are expecting to stumble on some incredible breakthrough in half an hour.  Like I say many great minds from Pythagoras onwards have got immersed in it before now and there's not been a better time for anyone to join in.

Good Luck!